For a band that have been labelled in the past as The Australian Tool, Karnivool have certainly taken a leaf out of Tool’s snail pace release schedule. In Verses follows on from 2013’s majestic Asymmetry album. The big question is, was it worth the wait? This simple answer is ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY!!
Karnivool – In Verses
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Robert Adams
Knowing this album was incoming, I set about reintroducing myself to Karnivool and found myself grinning from ear to ear. These Aussies certainly know their way around song composition and atmospherics.
Ghost opens proceedings with a subtle keyboard line before Steve Judd’s drum groove takes us in another direction. Jon Stockman’s bass punches you in the gut when it appears, and Ian Kenny’s gorgeous vocal takes us to a familiar place.
It is so good to have Karnivool back.
Drone gives us a sparse, almost disco groove and a brilliant earworm chorus. Whatever Kenny says, please do not stare into the sun until it’s gone. Your eyes will not thank you for that.
We are only two tracks in, and it is safe to say that Karnivool are not resting on their laurels. Auzora is the first track on the album where the lyrics hit deep. Not only is it musically complex, with gorgeous layers building a wonderful push and pull, lyrically, but it is also incredible.
Animation is hauntingly beautiful. Acoustic guitars give way to a drum and bass groove, not the genre, just drums and bass, before those layers come in again.
Conversations is the longest track on the album, at just over eight minutes, and is a masterclass in letting a song breathe. Karnivool have the musicianship to fill all eight minutes here, but are savvy enough to give space when it is required. This track has been on repeat for me for a while now. Again, lyrically, it is a gut punch but done with style.
Reanimation is yet another lyrical gut punch that basically asks the question “Who are we”? Again, the arrangement lets the song breathe and is all the better for it. In lesser hands, this could easily have been a syrupy ballad, but Karnivool make it a thing of beauty. The guitar solo is almost crying at how beautiful it is.
All It Takes was released as a single back in 2021. This version is a 2025 remix and is at the heavier end of Karnivool’s output. The guitars are upfront and unapologetic, while Ian Kenny’s vocals anchor everything in pure melody.
Remote Self Control is a Progressive Metal masterclass. A frantic double bass drum groove gives way to both clean and heavy guitar tones with yet another beautiful vocal melody over the top. It really does not get much better than this. Opal contains a beautiful string arrangement and is a song about love lost. Your eyes will be shiny after listening to this one.
Salva closes out In Verses with some style. Always guilty of leaving the listener wanting more, Karnivool do it once more. In Verses is not a short album, but at its conclusion, you always wish it would continue. That is the sign of a band doing things properly, in my opinion.
In Verses is the sound of a band who are confident in their identity and are in complete control of their destiny. Please do not leave us waiting so long for the next album, gents.
Karnivool will bring In Verses to a spring tour of Europe and the UK. The United States will follow. Tickets and full dates can be found at karnivool.com/#tour. In Verses was released on 6 February 2026 via Cymatic Records/The Orchard. For more details, visit karnivool.lnk.to/EU_InVerses.
