Karnivool @ The Corner Hotel (06/07/2011)
Serious demand from die-hard fans saw Karnivool add a third (and final) Corner Hotel gig to their only Australian headline tour for 2011.
The return to the Corner, almost one month since the beginning of the tour allowed for a different set for repeat fans, as well as the coincidence of the gig taking place on both Drew Goddard and Steve Judd’s respective birthdays.
As the lights dimmed and the band entered the tiny confines of the stage (a vast contrast to the venues of past tours in the Sound Awake cycle) the band began warming up through the tuning of instruments and a jamming of a currently untitled track which was unlisted on the setlist. As vocalist Ian Kenny picks up his microphone, the night is kicked off with the pulsing Goliath. With the barrier a mere 20cm or so from the stage, it’s a very up close and personal experience for fans of one of Australia’s finest.
Highlights from the set saw the usual fan favourites showcased. Themata (long considered to be Karnivool’s anthem) was an early surprise in the set, while Set Fire To The Hive ignited the crowd in ways not usually seen in progressive rock territory, but it was with the intricate Deadman where the band would truly shine tonight, the small confines of the venue proving the perfect setting for the ballad.
The inclusion of one new track, The Refusal, made an appearance mid way through the set. Having been the third time I had seen Karnivool perform the song on this tour, I noticed a huge increase in precision and quality. Back in June, the track felt disjointed, a term I thought I would never associate with Karnivool. But as they say, the third time is the charm, with the band nailing tonight’s performance of the new tune from their upcoming (and untitled) third album.
Requests for Sleeping Satellite had Drew declare laughing; “It’s my birthday and I’ll play what I want!” before closing the main set with Fade and Roquefort. It didn’t take too long for the band to return to finish Melbourne’s run of Karnivool for the year with Synops and New Day, a fitting finale for what could be considered one of the bands finest performances.
Luke Sutton
The return to the Corner, almost one month since the beginning of the tour allowed for a different set for repeat fans, as well as the coincidence of the gig taking place on both Drew Goddard and Steve Judd’s respective birthdays.
As the lights dimmed and the band entered the tiny confines of the stage (a vast contrast to the venues of past tours in the Sound Awake cycle) the band began warming up through the tuning of instruments and a jamming of a currently untitled track which was unlisted on the setlist. As vocalist Ian Kenny picks up his microphone, the night is kicked off with the pulsing Goliath. With the barrier a mere 20cm or so from the stage, it’s a very up close and personal experience for fans of one of Australia’s finest.
Highlights from the set saw the usual fan favourites showcased. Themata (long considered to be Karnivool’s anthem) was an early surprise in the set, while Set Fire To The Hive ignited the crowd in ways not usually seen in progressive rock territory, but it was with the intricate Deadman where the band would truly shine tonight, the small confines of the venue proving the perfect setting for the ballad.
The inclusion of one new track, The Refusal, made an appearance mid way through the set. Having been the third time I had seen Karnivool perform the song on this tour, I noticed a huge increase in precision and quality. Back in June, the track felt disjointed, a term I thought I would never associate with Karnivool. But as they say, the third time is the charm, with the band nailing tonight’s performance of the new tune from their upcoming (and untitled) third album.
Requests for Sleeping Satellite had Drew declare laughing; “It’s my birthday and I’ll play what I want!” before closing the main set with Fade and Roquefort. It didn’t take too long for the band to return to finish Melbourne’s run of Karnivool for the year with Synops and New Day, a fitting finale for what could be considered one of the bands finest performances.
Luke Sutton