SOUND AWAKE

'Sound Awake' - you can take this album title quite literally. Explosive - highly energetic stuff provided by this Australian combo. As for a quick summary I would say the are acting in the same league with Tool, Sieges Even, probably I should also name Porcupine Tree. So we have nothing really new as a matter of fact? No, not at all. The symbiosis of technical and composing skills which you can find here is truly making a big difference compared to some other bands which are trying to enter this level. Another fact is that KARNIVOOL go without traditional keyboards - only some electronic gimmicks are recognizable here and there. This means the sound is predominantly fronted by a varied dual guitar work and Ian Kenny's expressive vocal performance.

Errm ... before I risk to be stoned to death I should better point out the rhythm boys too. Jon Stockman often punches his bass guitar as much as is necessary. Let me take Goliath for example which is so powerful. But he's also able to play very accentuated - nominating the following New Day next (at least for the first minutes). And drummer Steve Judd is constantly varying his style. KARNIVOOL is one of those bands who reach for a balancing act, having commercial success (at least at their home country) when offering complex and well arranged heavy rock songs. Just take All I Know which is provided with a catchy groove. On the other hand the echoed and sometimes even distorted guitar style serves a spacey touch. Yeah, they know how to make it!

'Sound Awake' is brim-full with enjoyable impressions - the highlights though are kept for the finale. The 12 minute monster Deadman is probably the album's top song ... dynamic and melancholy pure. And if someone still may have serious doubts about the adequate prog factor I recommend to listen to Change intensively. 'Sound Awake' offers heavy art rock and prog metal bordering songs - similar to Portal's 'Blood Red Tape', but surely more tricky. Fantastic melodies all over. This album definitely belongs to your collection when you are keen on sophisticated heavy progressive rock music - simply perfect.