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KARNIVOOL
+ Big Noter
@ Metropolis, Fremantle,
17th October 2025
(Live Review)

Review by Amy Smith

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Photo – Kane Hibberd

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Ad Complementum

(a) /ˈlatɪn/ to complete

Literal meaning: The Latin phrase Ad Complementum translates to “to completion”.

Purpose: It implies a state of being finished, the final step in a process, or the act of completing something.

What a perfect summation to encapsulate Karnivool’s  current stage in their decade long journey toward the release of a new studio album.  I remember being at a live show shortly after the release of 2013’s Asymmetry where guitarist and principle songwriter, Drew Goddard, attempted to reassure us with a promise  that we would not have to wait  another 5 years between albums. I can still feel the collective eye roll that occurred in response to that statement! We knew better! And sure enough, here we are more than a decade later, still waiting on that new studio album! That said, there is a very good reason why Karnivool fans are so loyal and will stick by the band no matter how long it takes to hear new material, and that reason was on full display tonight.

Warming up for Karnivool tonight was newly formed band Big Noter.  The band are so new that there are currently only two songs available to stream on social media! This fact did not stop them from performing a highly entertaining 45 minute set. You may not know the band (yet), but you definitely know their frontman, Briggs, who is practically Australian Hip-Hop royalty at this point. With this project we get to see a heavier side to Briggs. Consistent with what he is known for, Briggs spat politically charged lyrics with unapologetic, fiery passion.  Whether you agree or disagree with his views, the songs are bound to evoke strong reactions either way. Instead of this being over hip hop beats it was layered over distorted guitars, bringing more of a hardcore punk feel. Some songs sounded reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine and Limp Bizkit.

Briggs posseses strong crowd engagement skills and the crowd seemed to be lapping it up for the entire set. “I don’t expect you to know these songs…” After a dramatic pause, Briggs continued  “Because we barely know them too!” He laughed. True, we may not know them yet, but based on the response tonight, I doubt it will stay that way for very long.

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Darkened lighting and monotone buzzing signalled the bands impending entrance to the stage. Karnivool wasted no time launching into new material, starting with Drone. With a slow and moody start, the song builds toward a catchy, melodic chorus and heavy ending. In true Karnivool fashion, it sounds simple and digestible but when you dig further it is actually musically dense. It very much encapsulates  what Karnivool are known and loved for.

Dropping a few ‘new’ songs throughout tonight’s set, Karnivool showcased their ability to blend heavy elements with their melodic and atmospheric sound. Most of these ‘new’ songs, such as Aozora and All It Takes have been on the live set rotation since 2015. So, before launching into new song  Ghost, a cheeky smile spread across Ian Kenny’s face as he laughed “This is a NEW new one!”.  There is a clear positive response to all the new tracks, with some already attracting loud sing-along moments.

Bass heavy tracks such as Simple Boy and Goliath were so loud and powerful that the vibrations exiting the speakers moved through our bodies straight to our cores. Musical behemoth Deadman prompted a mass sing-along. In honesty, most of tonight’s set was a mass sing-long with moments so loud it drowned out the band! If we have to describe Karnivool fans in one word, it would be: Passionate.

Tracks from Asymmetry seem to seldom make it to the live set list, but tonight we were blessed with, not one, but two! A slightly reworked We Are and Alpha Omega.  After finishing the main set with lively, crowd favourite Themata, it was an interesting choice to lead the encore set with the moody Alpha-Omega. Perhaps it was to  give us a breather before closing out with the energetic Roquefort and grand opus New Day.

What a fantastic, career spanning set mixing old favourites with the new! The new material sounds massive in the live setting and left us with increased positive anticipation for the next years studio album release!

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Photo – @shaquira.hobbs

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Check out Shaquira Hobbs’ (@shaquira.hobbs) review and photos for the Bar On The Hill, Newcastle, NSW event on the 24th July, 2025 HERE

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Photo – @shaquira.hobbs

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Follow KARNIVOOL
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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Press Release 23rd September 2025 (below) HERE

It’s happening:
KARNIVOOL
announce long-awaited
new album
IN VERSES

Over A Decade In The Making. Out February 6 via Cymatic Records / Sony Music

Listen To New Single
‘AOZORA’
here

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AMNPLIFY – DB