Album Rating: 3.5

It dropped everytime I listened to it. The production isn't the only problem though. Lots of the songs are just not good. And don't get me started on the interludes

Album Rating: 4.5

I thought the title track interlude was pretty decent, I mean I never really skip it (but yeah other 3/4 are a little questionable)

Album Rating: 2.5

JUst gave this a spin again. Holy god it's even worse now haha.

Album Rating: 3.5

It got worse every listen for me too haha

Album Rating: 4.0

It gets better for me every time i listen to it. It's a massive grower. Songs that i merely thought were ok at first like A.M War, Alpha Omega and The Last Few i now think are great.



It was always going to be tough following Sound Awake which imo is a masterpiece. This isn't up to that standard but still is a great album. It's also pretty damn different, both in production and songwriting. They really bring that dissonance that they'd only really hinted at in the past (Illumine, Set Fire To The Hive) to the forefront and there's a much bigger emphasis on atmosphere and less on hooks. This makes it a much harder to listen to than their previous albums but i think overall, it's a really strong album. There's not a song that i really don't like and even the title track i'm starting to dig in a weird way. You also gotta give them props for trying new things and progressing their sound.



Also, Sky Machine. What an amazing song. Possibly the best they've done.

Album Rating: 2.5

nah

This rules harder than real thrash, I'm gonna make a djent cover of this magnum opus while everybody is derpin.

Album Rating: 2.5

desu

Album Rating: 3.5

Ahhh KILL there's the Karnivool hater we all know and love!



Unforgiven, yea Sound Awake is a 5 for me. New Day is so full of emotion it's crazy. And I get the sound they were trying for here. Ian said himself that they were going for a more raw sound. But I most of it just didn't pay off imo. Sky Machine is incredible though. Those lyrics.

Listened to this all the way through a few times and didn't have anything really stand out to me.

Album Rating: 3.5

Yea man it's pretty sub par compared to their earlier works

Album Rating: 4.0

Sound Awake is just amazing from start to end. Even the 'lesser' songs like The Caudal Lure and Illumine are awesome and would be highlights on most other rock albums.



The only problem i have with this album is the production. It's not terrible like many have said but the mix can get muddy in some of the heavier parts and Ian's voice also gets buried at times. They also went for a real live drum sound which i'm not a massive fan off. It can be distracting at times with the worse offender being the heavier part of Aeons. Also, the transition from the bridge to the last chorus in A.M War always bugs me. It just always feels awkward and like it doesn't fit.



Other than that, i really like it. I'm always hearing new little things in the songs that i didn't notice before. Makes repeated listens really rewarding. I can definitely understand the people who were expecting Sound Awake part 2 not likeing this though. I definitely agree with you on Sky Machine's lyrics. So great. It's honestly my song of the year so far.

Album Rating: 3.5

Yea this album doesn't really do Steve Judd justice in how amazing how is. Cause he's a godly drummer.

Album Rating: 4.5

gonna have to spin this again, gave it a try when it first came out n thought it was a step below their first two records but still decent

Album Rating: 3.5

cb I legit started laughing out loud when I saw your avatar lol

Album Rating: 4.5

yeah it still brings a smile to my face haha

Album Rating: 3.5

And as I'm still laughing even harder after seeing it a second time, for this to succeed Sound Awake is really disappointing.

Album Rating: 4.0

He's a fantastic drummer and the production on this album doesn't really do his playing justice. It sounds like they're using a different snare in every song almost and at times it can be very loud in the mix.



The Catalyst Fire is a bigger disappointment tbh.

Album Rating: 3.5

Haha well let's disagree on TCF



And yea it just sounds like he's banging on the snare drum tbh

Album Rating: 4.0

I think we have to



The Refusal is the worst culprit. The snare in that song is reeeaaallly loud and abrasive. On the plus side for the production - There are some beastly guitar tones on this album. The distorted guitars in We Are and The Last Few in particular sound awesome.



It'll be interesting to see where the band go next. I'm hoping for an album full of 10 minute epics. Also, Forrester producing again would be great.