Three of Australia’s finest progressive rock bands combined for an extravagant evening of abandoned sound at the Palace Theatre.
Appearing in tandem for the first time in their distinguished careers, Karnivool and Dead Letter Circus were joined by sleepmakeswaves for an unsurpassed performance of triumphant intensity.
Exposing an overwhelming display of hard resonance, the evening was an absorbing and all-encompassing demonstration that seamlessly commenced the nationwide Polymorphism tour.
With an undervalued collection of post-rock arrangements, the energetic four-piece from New South Wales, sleepmakeswaves, opened the evening with an animated and inclusive performance of renowned splendour.
Providing an absorbing assortment of experimental tracks, the band proceeded with the inventively discordant ‘To You They Are Birds, To Me They Are Voices In The Forest’, while ‘We Sing The Body Electric’ was a further expression of the band’s undeniable competence.
With Jonathan Khor precise on guitar and Tim Adderley imposing on drums, the group continued with an inspired interpretation of ‘Kid Song’ before concluding with the lengthy instrumental ‘A Gaze Blank And Pitiless As The Sun’.
On the back of their sophomore effort The Catalyst Fire, Queensland alternatives Dead Letter Circus were up next with an enthusiastic presentation of their own.
Drawing on numerous tracks from frenetic debut album This Is The Warning, the band were exceptional as they seized control with an infectious brand of heavy tone and durable pitch.
Interrupted briefly to commemorate the birthday of lead guitarist Clint Vincent, the band extended through an impressive display underlined by recent single ‘Lodestar’ and the electronically infused ‘Cage’.
With ascending peaks and well-versed melodies, vocalist Kim Benzie was profound despite an understandable inability to maintain tenor on ‘The Veil’, while multi-instrumentalist Tom Skerlj confirmed his wide-ranging talent on the warmly-received fan favourite ‘Big’.
Karnivool then stormed the stage to an exuberant reception following an almost emotional plea by an anonymous board member of the Save The Palace campaign.
Immediately reaffirming the resounding stage presence of the Perth quintet, the band opened with mysterious composite ‘Mannerisms’ before launching into ‘Goliath’ and ‘A.M. War’.
Revered for outstanding key progression and the astonishing vocal range of Ian Kenny, the band sustained an almost overwhelming display of ingenious musical conviction.
With Steve Judd affording thunderous and deep backing on drums, the band delivered assured and forceful melodies reinforced by the corresponding guitars of Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking.
Despite struggling to translate the ambient fundamentals of Asymmetry into recent shows at the Melbourne Town Hall, the band mastered the challenge with renewed confidence as they unleashed recent offerings ‘Eidolon’ and ‘Alpha Omega’.
Showcasing a more refined emphasis upon sonic intricacy and nauseating rhythms, the band also retained powerful templates on ‘Themata’, ‘All I Know’, and the astonishing ‘Cote’, while ‘Set Fire To The Hive’ garnered hysterical reactions amongst the crowd.
With accomplished bassist Jon Stockman contributing imperative modulation on ‘We Are’ and ‘New Day’, the band increasingly established an atmosphere of collective frenzy – though, somewhat predictably, it was Kenny who once again stole the limelight.
Despite an unassuming visual facade, the famed frontman maintained supreme vocals in a simply dominant display. The band departed having delivered a timely reminder of the genius that is Karnivool.
Setlist
Mannerisms
Goliath
AM War
Themata
Cote
All I Know
Deadman
Eidolon
We Are
The Refusal
Set Fire To The Hive
Alpha Omega
New Day
Skymachine
Aeons
