Artist: KARNIVOOL
Title: SOUND AWAKE
Release Date: February 16, 2010
Label: SIN/SONYMUSIC
Album Review by Lena Lamoray & Shawn Marazine

KARNIVOOL is another insanely talented five-piece band from Australia that makes me question what they put in their water that breeds such musically endowed inhabitants? KARNIVOOL are in the same realm of one of my favorite bands from Australia, SYDONIA. They performed on the sold out BIG DAY OUT music festival with MUSE, THE MARS VOLTA, THE HORRORS and MASTODON. They will also be featured on SXSW and will be touring the U.S. with FAIR TO MIDLAND. SOUND AWAKE was produced by FORRESTER SAVELL (THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, MAMMAL, DEAD LETTER CIRCUS) who is known for extracting the perfect sound out of everyone that he works with.

KARNIVOOL’s new album, SOUND AWAKE reminds me of THE perfect layer cake, which is cake with rich and creamy frosting and sprinkles followed by more of that in the middle so you just can’t go wrong. SOUND AWAKE is a masterpiece from start to finish. Some of my absolute favorite tracks are SET FIRE TO THE HIVE, NEW DAY, ALL I KNOW and SIMPLE BOY. ALL I KNOW just screams major motion picture soundtrack material. SET FIRE TO THE HIVE is KARNIVOOL’s first single and video off the album and I have to say it is pretty marvelous in every aspect. KARNIVOOL can be described as alternative progressive rock. IAN KENNY is such a superior vocalist that has the ability to make you feel exactly how he wants you to feel. Some influences that I detected are TOOL, PORCUPINE TREE, A PERFECT CIRCLE and RUSH. So, if you are a fan of RUSH but are longing for a way hotter singer with an even sexier use of strategically placed ponytails then you have found your band. Pick up a copy of SOUND AWAKE and check out KARNIVOOL on tour.