Karnivool - Asymmetry

With few exceptions *see my most recent review of Polsyenso’s One Big Particular Loop* I have found that a GREAT album has roots in its predecessor, sometimes obvious, others well-hidden. The funny thing about Karnivool’s Asymmetry, released in July of 2013, is that it is a full-fledged continuation of the very end of their previous release, Sound Awake. The last track on Sound Awake, “Change”, is slowly deconstructed until it dissolves into a single jagged drum beat, and then further torn down to the point that all sense of time within in the track is lost.

Think of Asymmetry’s first half as an album’s worth of that moment’s uncertainty. Much of the first few songs thrive on jarring the listener, with aggressive noises, absolutely bizarre combinations of time signatures. All of this is further reinforced by unique production elements such as a variety of aggressive bass effects, and even a vocoder. The whole album represents a truly progressive mindset across the board. The drums sound effortless, but close analysis reveals some of the most counter intuitive rhythms in music today. The bass guitar on Asymmetry is expressive, to say the least, and is refreshingly present and relevant to song structure and development. Last but definitely not least, Ian Kenny’s vocals are delivered flawlessly, with a raw quality seldom found in today’s productions.

The real strong point of Asymmetry, though, is how the album develops over its course. By the time one has listened through to “Float”, an interlude fleshed out to a five-minute length, the jarring and uncertain vibes first few songs have been abandoned. “Float” is one of Karnivool’s defining moments. It’s delicate, motivated, and telling - before the choral swells come in, before a host of intricacies are eventually introduce, Ian Kenny sings “all we want, is enough to get by.” Maybe Kenny was referring to Asymmetry itself, and how the group is simply along for the ride, attempting to justify what is undoubtedly a vastly complex (and technically impressive) record.

Below is my favorite track off of Asymmetry, “We Are”.

Asymmetry is a strong release from an already well respected progressive band, and conceptual experiment in technicality and visceral, jarring emotion. It’s worth a listen, and is very telling of how well deliberately progressive writing can be packaged in an easily digested record.