Karnivool – In Verses (Album Review)

They say some things are worth the wait. While that may be true, there is nothing easy about waiting over a decade for new music from a band you’re a fan of. That anticipation only grows heavier when the band in question is Karnivool, one of the most distinctive and influential progressive rock bands of the past twenty years. After thirteen long years since their last album, Asymmetry, the Perth-based outfit finally returns with In Verses, and the results make it clear that the time away has not affected their ability to write captivating, emotionally resonant music.

Despite the well-documented personal and logistical challenges that delayed the album’s creation, In Verses sounds fully realized and confident. Karnivool refine and expand upon the sound they have been steadily evolving since Sound Awake. The album feels patient and purposeful—heavy when it needs to be, but equally willing to explore space, melody, and emotional depth.

The record opens with “Ghost,” a slow-burning introduction that eases the listener in rather than immediately overwhelming them. Its restrained opening groove gradually gives way to heavy guitars and tightly locked-in drums. It functions almost like a prologue, setting the mood and tension before stepping aside to let the album fully take flight.

That journey begins in earnest with “Drone,” the single that was released months earlier in 2025, when the album was announced. This track is signature Karnivool, built on massive riffs, dynamic shifts, and an undeniable sense of momentum. It strikes a near-perfect balance between accessibility and complexity, reminding listeners exactly why the band has been so sorely missed. The intensity continues with “Aozora” and “Animation,” both of which showcase the band’s trademark rhythmic precision and layered guitar work while keeping the energy high and focused. Each track is subtly constructed, revealing more detail and nuance with repeated listens.

The heart of In Verses reveals itself in the album’s longer compositions. “Conversations,” clocking in at eight minutes, stands as the emotional centerpiece of the record and features one of its strongest melodic moments. Vocalist Ian Kenny delivers a deeply affecting performance, pleading, “This one could have helped you, could’ve led you anywhere you want. This one could have held you from the fall to come.”

The following track, “Reanimation,” acts as a slower, groove-driven counterpart, emphasizing atmosphere and texture. There is a quiet tension running beneath the surface, with inner turmoil reflected in lines like, “Feeling alone in a crowded place, it hurts to be lost when something inside still burns.” There is also a brilliant guitar solo courtesy of the great Guthrie Govan, before the soaring ending.

Following the emotional outpouring of these two tracks, Karnivool turns up the intensity with authority. “All It Takes,” an older song that finds its home on the album, is also one of the heaviest songs on it, driven by crushing riffs and relentless rhythmic force. “Remote Self Control” continues the metallic assault, highlighted by monster drumming from Steve Judd, whose precision and power remain a cornerstone of the band’s sound.

The album closes on a reflective note with “Opal” and “Salva,” two tracks that could be described as power ballads—though that label hardly does them justice. Both songs emphasize melody, emotional weight, and dynamic restraint, providing a fitting and thoughtful conclusion to an album built on patience and depth rather than spectacle.

In Verses captures a band fully comfortable with who they are at this stage of their career. Thirteen years may be a long time to wait, but Karnivool have delivered a comeback album that feels deeply rewarding—and one that will no doubt stand as one of the highlights of 2026.

Released on February 6th, 2026

Tracklist:
1. Ghost
2. Drone
3. Aozora
4. Animation
5. Conversations
6. Reanimation
7. All It Takes
8. Remote Self Control
9. Opal
10. Salva

Order here: https://karnivool.lnk.to/inverses

Ian Kenny / lead vocals
Andrew ‘Drew’ Goddard / lead guitar, backing vocals
Mark Hosking / guitar, backing vocals
Jon Stockman / bass
Steve Judd / drums, percussion