Review KARNIVOOL “In Verses”

Karnivool are back with a new album. “In Verses” is the band’s first studio album in 13 years. The signs on the horizon could already be seen in 2021, when the band unveiled “All It Takes”. This song represented the band’s first new material since their 2013 album, “Asymmetry”. “All It Takes” is a versatile song that showcases the band’s heavier side while also displaying calmer nuances. With a modern sound, it bursts out of the speakers and can be seen as the lead single of the album.

“In Verses” contains a remastered version of “All It Takes”, which makes sense. Five years passed between the release of the original song and the launch of the album. More recently – in 2025 – Karnivool revealed “Drone”, the first real preview of “In Verses”.

“Drone” is a spellbinding song. Kept at a moderate pace, the thumping tune has its own dynamic resulting from the combination of cinematic passages and thunderous riffs. While listening to the song, you can almost feel the Australian heat embedded in “Drone”.

Another song worth listening to is “Conversations”. At eight minutes long, it showcases a band that impresses with its musical expertise and creative richness. “Conversations” features expansive soundscapes and exemplifies Karnivool’s musical approach. The aim isn’t to write a complex song. The technical skills of the band and the intense voice of Ian Kenny are tools that enable the creation of sonic pictures that emerge when listening to these ten songs. The album shines brightly from the first listen and has so many twists. Each time you revisit it, you can peel off another layer and discover something new.

The fusion of massive riffs and fragile moments also defines “Remote Self Control”. The song showcases both aspects of Karnivool’s sound, with the band successfully merging the two to create a cohesive whole.

“In Verses” is the anticipated next Karnivool album, which fans have been waiting a long time for. The band’s fourth album shows that the wait was worth it. Karnivool’s newest studio effort is a musically rich experience and the most mature album yet from the Australian five-piece.