Karnivool @ Wollongong Uni, July ’25

If there’s one thing Karnivool fans know well, it’s patience. But when it pays off, it really pays off. On Friday night at the University of Wollongong, the WA prog titans delivered a blistering, career-spanning set that proved once again why they’re one of Australia’s most compelling live acts—and how close we came to missing it entirely.

As word spread just a day later that frontman Ian Kenny was forced to cancel the Sydney dates due to illness (which began affecting him during the Wollongong show), it became clear: this gig wasn’t just a highlight of the tour, it was a near-miss miracle. Wollongong was lucky. Against the odds, Kenny powered through a full 13-song performance, his voice showing subtle signs of strain by “We Are” but never compromising the intensity or emotion Karnivool are known for.

The set opened with “Drone,” the band’s first new song in years and a razor-sharp preview of their long-awaited fourth album. A slow-burning intro gave way to dense layers of rhythm and dissonance—classic Karnivool—but with a refreshed energy that hints at heavier, more expansive sonic terrain to come.

From there, it was a masterclass in dynamic control. “Goliath” hit like a freight train. “Simple Boy” and “C.O.T.E.” transported long-time fans straight back to Sound Awake and Themata days, with the band’s signature polyrhythmic tightness on full display. “Mauseum” and “Ghost” carried haunting weight, while “Deadman” unfolded like an odyssey in slow motion, with Jon Stockman’s seismic bass carving the room in half.

Karnivool’s ability to craft an immersive sonic journey is unmatched. The interplay between guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking remains as vital as ever, especially during the serpentine grooves of “All It Takes” and the crushing climax of “Roquefort.” By the time “New Day” arrived to close the show, Kenny—clearly pushing through discomfort—delivered a performance that felt both triumphant and vulnerable. It was a fitting end to a night that walked a tightrope between awe and uncertainty.

Opening the night were Big Noter, the new punk-metal outfit fronted by Briggs. With politically charged lyrics and blistering energy, their short but punchy set included “Talk Straight,” “Identity,” and “Moves Like a Winner.” Though stylistically miles from Karnivool, their intensity set a high bar and warmed up the crowd with a different flavour of heaviness.

All told, this show was not just a standout on Karnivool’s Ad Complementum tour—it may end up being one of the most memorable gigs of the year. Wollongong got more than a concert. It got the last spark of a flame that almost blew out, and what a fire it was.