KARNIVOOL - Worldwide Livestream
The Decade Of Sound Awake Live Stream @ Heath Ledger Theatre - 12.5.21
Written by: Daniel Hall - Sense Music Media
The hype around the The Decade of Sound Awake tour was massive. After postponements and eventually the cancellation of all but the 2 WA shows, KARNIVOOL decided to livestream a set of this remarkable album for their loyal fans. I had tickets to the Melbourne gig and although disappointed with the decision, totally understood, given the circumstances. When the livestream was announced I thought ‘fuck yeah, this is going to be awesome’. What was to ensue would totally exceed all of my expectations.
Pictured: An empty Heath Ledger Theatre - Perth, WA
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
The Review
As per my usual pre gig routine, a few beers were had to limber up. ‘Pumpkin soup and Captain Morgans’ were the opener for the night. Candles were lit, the new TV and sound system ready to cop a flogging.
Playing the opening tracks into what I would describe as an opaque, papier mâché sheet that was draped down at the front of the stage, silhouettes of the band members were seen on and through the sheet in front of them, which at times could resemble another planet or realm with the stage lighting filtering through.
Pictured: Jon Stockman + Mark ‘Hoss’ Hosking - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
As you would expect from KARNIVOOL their professionalism is on display throughout these first few tracks. Playing to an empty theatre, the word perfection would best describe what I was seeing and hearing right then. The crushing ending to Goliath gave me goosies and I was up on my feet bending and moving to this masterclass.
The sheet dropped towards the end of a New Day. The timing couldn't have been better either, with red and green hues now splashing around the theatre. At the beginning of each track, the song name was displayed. An odd voice saying “This is the song with the bees in it” was added to the start of Set Fire To The Hive which I thought was a nice touch and made me laugh a little bit too. As the cameras swung to empty red seats in the theatre, I thought wow, this joint would be rocking if it was full house. My house and neighbourhood definitely was.
Pictured: Ian Kenny - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
Front-man Ian Kenny has one of the best vocal ranges in the business. I have always found myself lost in his lyrical content. As always Kenny’s stage persona is great to watch. His unique mannerisms and the way he moves around the stage in his enigmatic way is always a highlight for me. Hearing his vocals has always led me meandering along a beautiful musical journey. Not many better places to be in my opinion.
Already I have lost count of the amount of times Hoss (Mark Hosking) was singing or screaming along not into a mic. Such emotion from a man that looked a little like a mad scientist on the night. With those guitar and song-writing skills, the scientist moniker isn’t far off.
Pictured: Mark ‘Hoss’ Hosking - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
John Stockman is an absolute beast on his 6-string bass. The girth that he brings to the band is something else. I have seen the band many times over the years and although he can usually be quite lively it was all about precision tonight and that’s what he brought to the stage.
Steve Judd keeps this band ticking along flawlessly and what seems effortlessly. The intricacy of his playing is what adds those extra little pops. Hopping all over that snare drum, smashing symbols during odd time signatures and off beats. He is definitely one of the best drummers going around.
Pictured: Steve Judd, Drew Goddard, Ian Kenny, Jon Stockman + Mark ‘Hoss’ Hosking - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
Drew Goddard was tucked away to the left side of the stage all night. Layering complex guitar riffs and toying with effects and ambience that come from his efforts for the band. During All I Know Drew was also briefly playing a Mandolin. You have to think the stars aligned to bring these 5 amazing musicians together to form this great band.
Multiple camera angles captured purple lighting coupled with atmospheric effects during Caudal Lure & Illumine. How the band transitions from heavy and… lets call it dreamscape amazes me.
Pictured: Steve Judd + Ian Kenny - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
The next 20 minutes will go down as pure prog perfection. Deadman. Probably my favourite song of theirs to witness live was next. A song that builds throughout, with many ebbs and flows. Wow what a song, I was left speechless as I am every time that I see it live. Then came Change for the climax. At the start of the song Kenny was up in the seated area of the theatre.
Pictured: Ian Kenny - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
The solid sound of the band and a Yidaki (didgeridoo) coming straight for him. “Hello, hollow, halo (Can you hear them say?)” heard throughout with Kenny ending up back on stage with acoustic guitar before concluding the album with drum solo and Yidaki. This was a truly epic ending to Sound Awake.
Pictured: Samual-Yombich Pilot-Kickett, Jon Stockman + Mark ‘Hoss’ Hosking - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
I thought that was it and then boom. Fade started. One of my favourite tracks from the 2001 EP Persona back in the day. I was back bouncing around the lounge room just like nearly 20 years ago when I first heard this song. I recently read that the boys have always wanted a really good live recording of this track. Well now they have it. During the song as the cameras panned to the white empty seats in the theatre, I thought they may possibly unhinge themselves from the establishment.
Pictured: Steve Judd, Jon Stockman + Ian Kenny - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
Roquefort with horns from the iconic debut album Themata was to follow. The brass section just adds another dimension to this great song. Rotating lighting replaced the band briefly before they played Aeons from the latest album Asymmetry in 2013. “Chemical fires” rang out before a new song All It Takes was performed. If this song is a way to gauge the quality of the new album, it may well surpass all our expectations.
Pictured: Drew Goddard, Ian Kenny, Steve Judd, Jon Stockman + Mark ‘Hoss’ Hosking - KARNIVOOL
Screenshot taken from the Decade Of Sound Awake Worldwide Livestream - 12.5.21
The Verdict
I was left gobsmacked continually saying to my partner how good that was. I have been watching a fair bit of live music at home due to our current situation and this is one of the best livestream or recorded performances I have seen and heard. KARNIVOOL and everyone involved in making this happen should be extremely proud of what they have gone and done here. The sound production and videography was top notch and apart from a couple of minor streaming issues it was flawless. In response to these issues the band offered a link to view the show again for a limited time. I took full advantage and watched it 2 more times. I hope they bring it out on DVD. I will definitely be buying a copy.