Karnivool

w/ MM9

The Gov, Adelaide – Wednesday July 14

Roadies have set up the stage. And there’s an Apple MacBook perched on a stand… I wonder what the hell is about to take place whilst Queens Of The Stone Age blast the speakers, almost uncomfortably loud. Tonight has sold out and the Gov is suitably packed with patrons, even from early on. It’s rare and I question whether I’m still in Adelaide, unfortunately often known for our below-bar audience receptions. As the overwhelmingly male crowd commences some illegible chanting, MM9 explode onto the stage. The intro is eerily electro. The lights are blinding, making you unnervingly aware of your own presence amongst the ever-growing crowd. If you would like to experience a visually-induced seizure due to light intensity and speedy flickering, this would be the place.http://www.metalobsession.net/wp-admin/post-new.php

The band seizes your attention and it is the combination of Ben Ellingworth’s tendency to stand whilst he drums, Luke Ford’s thumping bass lines, Kerry Foulke’s lead guitar and Dan Sutherland’s powerful vocals which assault your senses. SOSOS and They Murder are definite highlights. If MM9 were a soppy romance movie, the trailer would state: “When electro met hard rock, their lives became strangely intertwined. They were inseparable, and they gave birth to a beautiful child, often mistaken for the love-child of Panic At The Disco and Nine Inch Nails…”. There is no denying that this Sydney four-piece contain as much energy as one would hope to find in several crates of Red Bull. By the end of the set, the amalgamation of all the elements (electro-rock, distortion, lighting and hardcore vox) leave you feeling simultaneously sated and drained. MM9 have, and will continue to firmly establish themselves in our live music scene.

Rage Against The Machine’s self-titled 1992 release resonates with the crowd until the boys from Karnivool are warmly welcomed to the stage. I am unsure as to how Ian Kenny can sing so competently with his shirt buttoned high to the collar, but he manages to do so. They open with Set Fire To The Hive from 2009’s Sound Awake. Ian moves like he’s being controlled by wires; every jerk of his body is synchronised with the music. Jon Stockman, a master of his Warwick 6 string, delivers the bass lines heavy and thick in Simple Boy. Guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking compliment eachother as the mosh peaks during the standout track C.O.T.E..

It becomes hard to breathe with the heat of hundreds of keen Karnivoolians warming the venue. Ian smiles during Umbra, his teeth gleaming and glowing brightly under the blue lights (Colgate, take note). During All I Know, Ian appears somewhat aloof, seemingly disconnected from the crowd. He appears lost in The Medicine Wears Off and it is only after launching into the crowd-pleasing Themata, where he regains himself again. We see a different Kenny during the remaining tracks. He spends the rest of the night unwinding, becoming looser on stage as every cell in his body feels the music.

Steve Judd’s drumming during The Caudal Lure and Themata is impeccable. The stuffed bumble bee perched on the kit is a lovely touch. Ian, the dancing little marionette, dedicates Roquefort from 2005’s Themata to the individuals who have supported the band for over 10 years. During Fade, the charismatic frontman is in his element. New Day is performed with eloquence, the result touching; the lyrics “hey, let’s get lost in the crowd, while searching for something worth holding” undoubtedly ringing true for many fans. Deafening roars of love and overt displays of crowd admiration for Karnivool follow each and every song as if it is their last. The display is heart-warming. A heavy chorus of “Karnivool” sees the band return to the stage for an encore. They offer Change, with Ian donning an acoustic for half of the song, teemed with almost angelic vocals. Detracting from this moment is the abundance of iPhones in the air, in the somewhat futile hope that such a moment may ever be captured on film.

In an interview Jon Stockman stated that the writing and arranging for Sound Awake was more of a collaborative effort from all members, in addition to being written in a jam-room environment. Tonight’s rendition of tracks from this album, most notably Set Fire To The Hive, Simple Boy and New Day, are proof that this album lends itself to live performances. The boys leave the stage whilst flashing peace signs, signalling the end of a fantastic set. Somewhat disappointingly, it is identical to that which was played earlier this month at the Hifi in Melbourne. However, there isn’t much which can detract from the quality of this show. Karnivool remain kings of the Western Australian scene; lyrically-engaging and musically tight. They have developed, matured and blossomed significantly over the past few years, and they leave many eager to follow their future deeds.

Setlist:

Set Fire To The Hive
Goliath
Simple Boy
C.O.T.E.
Umbra
All I Know
The Medicine Wears Off
The Caudal Lure
Themata
Roquefort
Fade
New Day

Encore:
Change