Live Review: Karnivool, Fait

"Karn-i-vool. Karn-i-vool. Karn-i-vool." The crowd chant as soon as support band (the forgettable ambient drone project Fait) leave the stage.

Old friends of the Hobart Uni Bar, Karnivool warmly welcome the crowd. "How is everyone doing?" singer Ian Kenny asks. "Shit, it's been three to four years since we down here, but it's sweet to be here. This one is something new." The reaction for fans of a band that hasn't released an album for three years is a mixture of trepidation and excitement, as expected. A hesitation from the audience in part as their most recent album Asymmetry (2013), was not — on balance — well received. However, this new track resonates much more with the theme and dynamics of Karnivool's earlier Themata era, and its driving drums and keening vocals win over the anxious audience. If any were concerned that they might be forced to hear only unknown new material and the disappointment of Asymmetry, they were immediately relieved as the band follow their new song with the heady prog-rock track, Simple Boy.

Some bands revel in the spontaneous unpredictability of a live show, feeding off crowd energy and reacting to their audience. Other bands, like Karnivool, cultivate the vibe for their audience with a focus on perfect, professional sound. Using backing tracks to enhance the dynamics of their set, the Australian five-piece manage to deliver a studio recording sound with an energetic, live feel. The use of backing tracks allows Kenny's higher register to float with a strong presence above the rest of the instruments, words holding clear over thick guitar tones and Steve Judd's pounding kick. Make no mistake, Kenny is a singer, drawing easy comparison to Tool's MJK. Kenny isn't screaming or growling, but belting out his words above the prog-rock thundering drums as clear and sweet as a castrato. Apart from a couple minor, honestly almost invisible, fumbles where Karnivool's guitarists fail to sync with the pre-recorded tracks, there is nothing but crisp perfection in their performance. A band about to enter their 20th year performing together, Karnivool deliver exactly the tight arrangements you would hope to expect. From the tick-tock staccato rap in the song Themata to the anthemic encore finale of New Day, all songs are delivered with a calibre of musicianship and precision that will win over your friends and have fans clamouring to empty their wallets once word gets out.

It's clear that while Karnivool have been absent they have not been idle and if you've ever wanted to understand why your friend hates Birds Of Tokyo but loves Karnivool, this live tour is all the proof that smug git needs.