Karnivool

Karnivool is an Australian rock band from Perth, formed in 1998. The group’s sound is associated with alternative rock and progressive rock, with tags also placing it within progressive metal and alternative rock. It develops out of a Perth high school band formed in 1997, which initially plays cover versions of songs by Nirvana and Carcass alongside original material. In 1998, the focus shifts to entirely original songs, the line-up changes, and the name Karnivool is adopted.

Line-up

From 2004, the best-known line-up consists of Ian Kenny on vocals, Drew Goddard on guitar, Mark Hosking on guitar, Jon Stockman on bass, and Steve Judd on drums. Earlier members include Andrew Goddard, Andrew Brown, and Brett McKenzie. Brown is replaced by Jon Stockman in 2000, Ray Hawking later replaces McKenzie on drums, Hosking joins in 2003, and Judd replaces Hawking in 2004, establishing the long-running formation. Other members listed for the group include Andrew Browne, Brett McKenzie, Ray Hawking, Stephen Charles Judd, Andrew Francis Goddard, and Jonathan Peter Stockman.

Early releases and live activity

The band releases its debut EP, Karnivool, in 1999, followed by Persona in 2001. Persona includes new material and a re-recorded track from the debut EP. After this period, Karnivool wins the Western Australian State Final of the National Campus Band Competition and performs at the national finals. The band also supports acts including Rollins Band, although one planned performance is later cancelled, and Fear Factory.

Studio albums

Karnivool’s first studio album, Themata, is released independently in 2005 and produced by Forrester Savell. Much of the writing is done by Drew Goddard, who also plays multiple instruments during recording. The album is later issued internationally through a licensing agreement. Around this time, the band tours in Australia and overseas, and contributes a cover of Gotye’s “The Only Way” to the compilation Mixed Blood. Goddard and Stockman also contribute to Pendulum’s Hold Your Colour.

The second album, Sound Awake, follows in 2009 after extensive touring. It is written in a more collaborative way and recorded across multiple locations. In Australia it reaches number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and number one on the AIR Chart. Singles include “Set Fire to the Hive” and “All I Know”. The band tours widely in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Europe, and India.

Asymmetry is released in 2013 and debuts at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. It is produced by Nick Didia and includes singles such as “We Are” and “The Refusal”. The album wins an ARIA Award, which is the band’s first. Karnivool then tours Australia, the United Kingdom, and Europe, including anniversary shows for Themata.

Work on a fourth studio album is confirmed in 2019. Pandemic disruptions in 2020 lead to postponed and cancelled anniversary touring, with some performances streamed online. In 2021, the band releases “All It Takes”, its first new studio material since 2013. It continues to perform live and headline festivals in Australia alongside acts such as Cog. In 2025, it releases the standalone single “Drone”, followed by the album In Verses in 2026, preceded by the single “Opal”.