Everyone knows that someone who doesn’t seem to age. Whether they practice black magic or won the genetic lottery, they’ve managed to whether the sands of time to continue looking the same as they did 20 years ago. In the prog world, Perth’s Karnivool is this aforementioned would-be immortal.
Since they exploded onto the scene with their 2005 Platinum-certified debut LP Themata, the Australian prog juggernauts have maintained a level of reverance and consistency that few bands can sustain. Now, after 12 years of waiting, a new album is imminent and the tension couldn’t be higher.
With the amount of time that has passed, you’d think most fans would have been happy with just a drawing of Ian Kenny on a paper plate singing the alphabet, but Karnivool enjoyers can expect an absolute delight upon release. Karnivool have never released a mediocre album and they aren’t starting in 2026.
In Verses begins in a quiet, reserved place, with the opening murmurs of ‘Ghost’ sounding less massive riffs and more Massive Attack. It doesn’t take long for the energy to ramp up, however, and the wide, rich mix of long-time collaborator Forrester Savell comes rushing into the ears, sending shivers down the spine.
Drummer Steve Judd’s intelligent playing ensures that the listener can navigate the most intense and complex sections of noise that guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking lay down throughout the more chaotic moments.
Time has not dulled the band’s keen sound and it certainly hasn’t dulled the grit on Jon Stockman’s strings, as his immaculate bass playing perfectly wraps around the backbone of the album. Soft, subtle, sometimes snaky passages hover in the background of some sections, before becoming a low, throaty roar.
“Karnivool excel at capturing the increasingly familiar feeling of being lost in a complicated world”
Ian Kenny’s vocal performances are always flawless, and he sounds pitch perfect as he effortlessly swings from soothing whispers to powerful wails. The album very much reflects the current climate of political uncertainty and confronts what it means to be human at various points, and Kenny’s thought-provoking lyrics resonate strongly as he feels “alone in a crowded place”.
Songs like ‘Aozora’ and ‘Reanimation’ explore thoughts of escapism, freedom and futility, with the former’s lyrics of ‘we seek the answer to a thousand things that don’t make any sense’ ringing particularly true for 2026. For all the beauty of the instrumentals, the bleak nature of the record is not lost on the listener. From the greyscale cover art depicting a desolate, windswept landscape to the gritty themes the band present, In Verses is a reflection of today’s troubles.
Karnivool excel at capturing the increasingly familiar feeling of being lost in a complicated world, wanting to cut through the darkness and confusion to a brighter, more colourful place.
The album’s genius lies in the use of dynamics – something Karnivool have always utlitised well. Even the quietist sections retain their tension and energy somehow, allowing a moment of introspection without leaving you wondering what’s happening. Before long, the itch for heavy is scratched when the band explode into their usual progressive riffs and fast drum fills, but the way it leads you in is masterful and means the 63 minute runtime doesn’t feel anywhere near that long.
The final moments of the album culminate in the epic ‘Salva’, with Ian Kenny’s incredible passionate, vocals belting loudly in a moment of catharsis as the band turn it up to 11 for the final time. It’s a great way to end such a profound and dynamic album, and leaves you somewhat breathless.
“In Verses is everything it means to be human - beautiful and solemn, intense and intimate.”
Photo Credit: Courtney McAllister
In Verses is everything it means to be human; beautiful and solemn, intense and intimate. Listening through the album as it dances and snakes effortlessly between soft, glimmering passages to grit and fire reminds you of exactly why Karnivool hold such a special place in the hearts of many a prog fan.
It feels effortless and yet you can sense how much passion and work went into the album. It’s simply a staggering listen – dense, rich and full of wonder. The world might be a scary place, but the continued sonic pleasure of Karnivool reminds us there is more to life than just living.