Review Summary: Karnivool's second full-length offering is an altogether uplifting, emotional adventure that sinks its claws in and doesn't let go.
'Sound Awake' is an apt name for an album that makes all the right decisions. From the opening bells of "Simple Boy" to the closing drum riffs of "Change (Part 2)", Karnivool proves to have yet again made an evolutionary leap on par with the development witnessed between their 2001 EP, 'Persona', and 2005's 'Themata'. The growth found on 'Sound Awake' can be directly attributed to the decision to write the album as a group as opposed to one man, in this case guitarist Drew Goddard, writing the majority of 'Themata'.
What results is a much more organic collection of songs, so much so that at times it is difficult to distill what is going on in terms of instrumentation. Goddard and co-guitarist Mark Hosking have a very symbiotic relationship, most times exercised by Goddard's 'out front' riffing being rounded out by Hosking's detail work. Their subtle use of effects and tone on the album create a sonic atmosphere that allows the rhythm section (bassist Jon Stockman and drummer Steve Judd) to really shine. Stockman's bass growls with primal authority on "Simple Boy" and his tasteful licks throughout the entirety of "New Day" are masterful. Judd, who did not play during the recording process of 'Themata', is rock solid and always keeps things interesting with his note choices, rarely settling for anything near 'stock'. His tom rolls on lead single "Set Fire to the Hive" are an album highlight.
Floating ethereally over it all is the sweet voice of vocalist Ian Kenny. In a day and age where intensity is so often defined as how guttural or throat rending one's voice is, Kenny instead employs a strong sense of melody to shift the direction and mood of a song. He should be lauded for doing something that a frontman so rarely does; take a step back. He truly lets the instrumentation do his screaming for him. Effortlessly capable of transitioning between his crystal clear full voice and an expert falsetto, Kenny puts in a landmark performance that establishes him as one of the top rock vocalists working today.
'Sound Awake' is a roller coaster ride of emotions, ranging from the aggressive call-to-arms that is "Set Fire to the Hive" and "Goliath" to the more introspective "Umbra" and "All I Know". Ultimately, however, the album finds its home on masterpieces "New Day" and the epic "Deadman", two songs that showcase the band's ability to discuss heady topics like the existence of a higher power and finding one's place in the world in a relatable fashion while staying very hooky and complex. In the end, 'Sound Awake' is an album that can make you think, make you dance, make you cry, and make you smile. It is the sun breaking through the clouds.
