Karnivool - In verse

My Review on Karnivool - In Verses




Release : February 6th. 2026
Origin     : Australia 
Label      : Cymatic Records     
Rating     : At the end


Karnivool - In Verse

It has been more than twelve years since Karnivool last released a full-length album. After Asymmetry, the band went quiet, and expectations slowly turned into patience. In Verses doesn’t feel rushed or eager to prove anything. Instead, it sounds calm, confident, and very aware of what it wants to be.

The album opens in a dark and restrained way, slowly building atmosphere before the guitars enter with a heavy, doom-influenced feel. There is a strong sense of space early on, and when the vocals arrive, they lift the song rather than overpower it. The mood is set immediately, and it’s clear this is an album that prefers patience over impact.

Some tracks begin almost chaotic, but gradually find their footing and build strong momentum. This is where Karnivool really shine. The rhythm guitars are tight and grounded, and the drums play a huge role in driving the songs forward. Everything feels carefully placed without sounding overworked.

Midway through the album, there is a brief stylistic shift that leans closer to a more accessible sound. It flirts with something almost pop-oriented, but thankfully this phase doesn’t last long. Tempo changes and heavier foundations quickly pull the music back into darker territory.

One of the darker highlights moves firmly into a Tool-like landscape. It is heavy, raw, and atmospheric, with bass and drums clearly dominating the mix. The vocal performance here is intense and controlled, adding even more weight to an already dark track.

The album’s most emotional moment comes later, in a slower and more personal song. There is a strong feeling of loss and longing running through it, something that hits deep and stays with you long after it ends. It is easily one of the strongest moments on the record.

Production-wise, In Verses sounds excellent. The mix is clean and well-balanced, allowing every instrument to stand out. Bass and drums are especially strong, and the vocal performance is among the best heard in a long time.

In Verses feels like a natural continuation rather than a comeback statement. After twelve years, Karnivool return with an album that is thoughtful, heavy, and deeply rewarding.

Rating : 8.5/10


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

 Zero Gravity - My Jeffrey Dahmer I recently received a very friendly request from the band Zero Gravity to review their latest single, and I was happy to give it a listen. From Innsbruck, Tyrol, Zero Gravity is a band that thrives on unpredictability. Formed by Dionys Dorner (vocals, guitar) and Daniel Berger (drums) in their teens, and joined by Christian Hubmann (bass, vocals), the trio has carved out a path defined by bold experimentation and a refusal to be boxed into a single genre. Their music blends punk, rock ‘n’ roll, grunge, and now gothic and metalcore elements, with a recurring “broken glam” aesthetic — raw, chaotic, yet undeniably engaging. Their latest single, “My Jeffrey Dahmer” , is a provocative, ironic take on love songs, using a shocking metaphor to explore romantic failure with absurdist and nihilist undertones. The track carries a bitter sense of humor, with chaotic shifts in tone and energy that mirror the tension of its lyrical themes. Dionys’s vocals, at t...
Read more

For Ruin - Painted in colours of War

Image
 My review on For Ruin - Painted in the colours of War Release : January 29th , 2026 Origin      : Cork , Ireland  Label      : Sentinel Records  Rating     : At The End Painted in the colours of War Painted In The Colours Of War is an album defined by atmosphere. From the very start , the mood is dark, heavy, and emotionally. This is not a record that rushes to impress,instead, it builds patiently , layer by layer, allowing tension and weight to accumulate before it finally releases. And when it does, it hits HARD . Musically, the album sits firmly within melodic blackened death metal . The guitars balance heaviness and melody well, creating riffs that feel both aggressive and expressive rather than purely technical. The drums are powerful and well-placed, giving the music a strong sense of drive without overwhelming the rest of the instrumentation. Everything feels intentional and controlled, yet never sterile. One of the key...
Read more

Victim - Nuclear Nightmare

Image
 My Review on Victim - Nuclear Nightmare Release : December 6th , 2025 Origin     : Weimar , Germany Label      : Independent Rating    : At The End A blast of old-school thrash, raw energy, and unfiltered aggression. Nuclear Nightmare opens deceptively calm , a slow, brooding intro that lingers just long enough for you to wonder where it’s going, and then it detonates. The moment the drums hit, you’re thrown straight back into the era when thrash was dangerous, uncompromising, and bursting with youthful aggression. It feels like having an entire rehearsal room hurled at your face , in the best possible way. From the very start, Victim prove why the underground has been buzzing. The band delivers a blend of classic thrash, raw crossover energy, and subtle hints of hard rock and grunge. At times you hear Slayer. Other moments? Metallica. And occasionally a flash of early Sodom. These guys aren’t hiding their influences , they’re weaponizing...
Read more