Karnivool - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 8th June @ Rock Rover, Fremantle WA
Karnivool
Rock Rover, Fremantle WA
Saturday 8th, June
Support: Southeast Desert Metal
After a long period of rest and focusing on other projects, Karnivool are back on the circuit for their Praxis Tour. Finishing their tour off in their home town of Perth, they rocked the recently opened Rock Rover venue in Fremantle for two packed out shows. The bands felt strangely at home in this huge recreation hall, which housed the many hundreds of excited local fans without an issue.
Southeast Desert Metal from the Northern Territory make their claim to fame for being the most isolated metal band in the world. As a virgin to their music, I had little preparation for the crushing rhythms that came out of the temporarily installed rock-show PA system. The band holds a looming presence over the stage, unphased by the mass of humans before them. I saw the faces of the crowd turn from bored to 'stank' within moments as a headbanging number of tunes in the same vein of Megadeth and Metallica were blasted to us. I was taken aback by the snarl and veracity of the vocals, something distinctly different from the headliner’s music, however a welcome contrast to hype up the crowd early on. Their isolation may pose a challenge for you to come to their local, but any fans of a banging riff and blazing solo are highly recommended to come see a set from them, should the opportunity arise.
A tense 40 minutes separated the opening act to Karnivool. The sold out recreation hall filled to the brim in anticipation for the main act. The band walks to the stage with a crowd roar given most often to international acts. Us Perth dwellers have often limited to celebrate, but we'll be damned if we aren't proud of what we do. With the usual technical perfection, raw emotive delivery, & to us with the same care of a studio performance, Karnivool rip through a selection of the fan favourites from their (hopefully soon expanding) list of albums. Ian Kenny’s strange yet alluring stage presence had every front row member mesmerised and intrigued. The rest of the band utterly engrossed in their parts as if the crowd is not there a true progressive metal band at heart. It's hard for Karnivool to have a show in Perth without selling every ticket. As such a second show was added for Sunday. Their performances speak for themselves, if you can come to see them at such an intimate venue as this, do not miss your opportunity.
An evening of elation and excitement, raw emotion and compositional beauty. This was an evening to remember. As always, a massive thanks to all staff and production crew which allowed this all to come together. I hope to be seeing and hearing more from these two bands very soon.
Gig Review & Photo Gallery by the Matt Gedling. Facebook: V_N Photography Instagram: @raiiv_n
Please credit Wall of Sound and Mat Gedling if you use published photos
Southeast Desert Metal
Karnivool
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