| | Full Review | Ratings (793) |
Give your Rating |
| 4.0 excellent | iswimfast | July 24th 13 |
Modern prog band releases modern prog album that old school prog enthusiasts abhor and long rterm fans glorify. Other music connoisseurs rate on first listen and don't understand what rall the adoration is about. Everyone's opinion must be repeated 17 times for maximum runderstanding.
9 Bumps | Bump |
| 1.5 very poor | Chortles | July 19th 13 |
this band is like genesis on cocaine+meth+steroids and a shitload proggier
7 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.5 average | GauravB82 | July 20th 13 |
As per my former comment, i agree with zuzek. Although, I actually like The Refusal, I think that there are too few brilliant moments on this album. It was disappointing. I thought it was the cymbals but perhaps it's the snare. There is something wrong with the mix there. What happened to the guitar guy all of a sudden? It's like he's present but not totally present. Where is the power? There is *too much* of an emo vocal thing happening. Lets move on from the emo focus. Song lengths here are a tad too much for what the tracks represent, and all these tracks are unfocused. Too many pointless electronic interludes. If you're going to make an interlude you'd better put some NIN level effort into them or leave them out! This album almost completely lacks dynamics as a holistic effort. Really nice parts but more really boring parts. I fear that, in time, this will be the album that defines Karnivool's standard of output and will likely be difficult for them to exceed from here. So a 2.5 from me.
4 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Julianna Reed EMERITUS | August 2nd 13 |
This is the most ambitious, complicated, and uneven Karnivool has ever been. Half of the real tracks here reek of that infamous progressive metal pretense most of the group's contemporaries fall under, and the ones that rise above do so only because they follow Sound Awake in style. Efforts to progress here are more regressive than anything, making this the most tired and ineffective Karnivool has ever been. In general, this record ain't that bad, but overall I expected a hell of a lot more from the same band who made Sound Awake.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.0 good | mindhelix | August 2nd 13 |
I appreciated the moodiness and subtle beauty this had to offer, but I feel I get a lot more out of listening to Porcupine Tree albums unfortunately and this felt like a replica of PT to me. I know I'm being awful comparing bands, but, it was sort of a smack in the face to me.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | oh trudy, youre with the meanest boy in the hills STAFF | July 25th 13 |
5/5 - If you don't have a girlfriend, bring one of the Puerto Rican secretaries as your
date. If you have coke, don't share it with her until after the match, or she'll start
talking about how much she likes anal sex in front of your boss' wife.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | ExoskeletalJunction | October 24th 21 |
15th January, 2021: Karnivool - Asymmetry (post-prog, 2013)
Given that these guys have two of my favourite ever albums preceding this, I’ve always felt like I
should go back and try and get this. This was attempt #4 and probably my most successful yet, but
I’m still not really sold. I admire them a lot for making this - it’s undeniably quite creative
and is miles away from Sound Awake just as that was miles away from Themata. But there’s just
nothing to grip onto - no hooks, no atmospheres, no melody, no riffs. It’s got some great drumming
and some great production, but I never seem to remember anything from it, which is the antithesis
of their first two albums. Perhaps I’ll never get it, but at least I know that whenever they
emerge with album 4 it won’t be them standing still.
6.4 (4th listen)
Part of my listening diary from my facebook music blog - www.facebook.com/TheExoskeletalJunction
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | fantalas | August 3rd 19 |
This is quite an underrated record. Most songs take some digesting but it's full of growers. 8.5/10
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| 0.0 | thelamestallion | October 16th 18 |
It's an album with a lot more definite character than Sound Awake (not mentioning Themata). There are no more playful, adventurous vibes that made SA so admirable, the album is more focused on mood and concept, the songwriting here is more balanced and thoughtful in order to point out every single detail which defines its gloomy aesthetics. Still they combine here, as on their previous releases, the british highbrow technical edge with the american vocal sensibility; the lyrics, delivered with Kenny's incredibly humane and natural voice and immensely catchy melodies throughout, deal with themes of existential doubt, disillusion and search of new truths. As I dug into the concept I thought the album itself could be a huge diss on the creationism, fatalism and eschatology, but, once again, delivered with simple yet poetically put words, from a simple man's perspective, in an unpretentious and emotional way which almost no other band in the genre is capable of, maybe only except Tool themselves ("46 & 2", "Lateralus", "Schism"). Back in 2014 it was a milestone album for me, the one after which I started to reconsider my tastes, "Asymmetry" showed me that the intelligent, thought-provoking and difficult on a first take music rewards the listener's attention twice as much than something more simple and catchy because of the effort put in it and therefore the depths it reaches in us, and, of course, because it has much longer expiration date.
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| 3.5 great | Britch2tiger | February 5th 16 |
Finally getting a prog feel. First heard this album a while back and didn't find this all too appealing. This album first came off as a chaotic mess and had to stop listening all together. Upon coming off an industrial binge (and latent grind), I had to reconsider another listen. Compared to most prog rock w/ all their either simplistic or technically orchestrated instrumentations, this album definitely differs from most prog albums, and certainly differs from their (post rock-esque) Sound Awake album. Most of the album comes in differing phases, although not nearly as organized as (for example) Rishloo's Eidolon album. First you hear a (softer) prelude that braces us for next aggressive phase of abrasive guitars and (at times) distracted drumming. The album is a bit of a difficult listen but after a while the album becomes a pleasant listen once you're able to stand the initial few phases of this album before the Asymmetry track.
Bump |
| 1.0 awful | EasterInTheBatcave | December 20th 15 |
While not all bad-- "The Last Few" and "We Are" are good songs-- the production is poor and the interludes are, across the board, useless. Overall, Asymmetry shows potential, but rarely lives up to it.
Bump |
| 3.0 good | Sunlar | October 5th 13 |
Can't help but jump in on the *inconsistent* bandwagon. I did expect better coming from Sound Awake but I suppose it's too soon to tell... many seem to claim it's a grower and I'm willing to believe it is - there are definitely some standout tracks within the album, though they're not as immediately rewarding as I found most SA songs to be.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | TominaVincent | August 9th 13 |
I understand that "Asymmetry" can be confusing. This record made me feel some very conflicting emotions when I first sat down with it. Some moments, like "Aum" and "Asymmetry" made me cringe, "Eidolon" was an utterly confusing addition I found didn't need to be on the album at all; the production of "A.M. War" was average, some vocals didn't cut it for me, etc.. But as the last track played, I concluded I absolutely loved the album, even after all the hate/love I experienced throughout. It is not cohesive, it is not easy to digest, it can be exhausting and dull, most of the time you wouldn't feel like playing it from start to finish. It is just not an instantly beautiful or rewarding record. However, It gave me enough old Karnivool, it gave me a lot of new Karnivool, it threw me around, and most importantly, it raised questions about conventional ways of constructing an album. "Asymmetry" asks "Why not?". Why not have polarizing songs in an album? Why does it have to be cohesive? why does it have to do just that one thing? It is exciting and inspiring, and yes, its weird, it needs time. It comes down to taste and it's not for everyone. I fall in love with it every day, for different reasons. To me, it is a solid 5.0.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | CrazyBrave1982 | August 6th 13 |
Still need more time to fully appreciate this album, Sound Awake set the bar far too high.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Monstar1790 | August 4th 13 |
The sound of a band engaged in a knock-down, drag-out brawl with its lofty ambitions. And how thrilling it is.
Bump |
| 3.0 good | Lani | August 4th 13 |
I don't really have a quantifiable reason for not liking this record. It just falls flat for me. The entire thing. Even the tracks people are claiming are great do nothing for me.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Philalethes | July 31st 13 |
Subtle, abrasive, beautiful, dissonant, challenging, just a few adjectives that only scratch at the surface of Karnivools new record Asymmetry. With this new record Karnivool has made the leap from a band that simply emulated their musical heros on Sound Awake, to a band with something truly unique to say, that is just begging to be emulated by their peers for many years to come. This band deserves your time and patience as they have created a masterpiece that, upon repeated listen, will divulge its many secrets: complicated polymeters, atmosphere through subtle mixing, abnormal song structure, and all the while directed by the beautiful and memorable melodies of Ian Kenny.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | RJMacReady | July 25th 13 |
Such a good album and a great evolution of their sound from Sound Awake. A lot more abrasive (in a good way) as opposed to the melodic tone of Sound Awake. Also, definitely an album that grows with each listen.
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| 4.0 excellent | Tim00w | November 16th 25 |
| 4.0 excellent | OSEL | March 2nd 24 |
| 2.0 poor | Tool1 | February 24th 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | Loveloth | December 12th 23 |
| 5.0 classic | Blaidd | November 22nd 23 |
| 5.0 classic | Wzzzard | November 1st 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | Oddhead | October 23rd 23 |
| 3.5 great | haley | May 31st 23 |
| 2.5 average | Spag | April 2nd 23 |
| 2.5 average | dmnaiz | February 26th 23 |
| 3.5 great | Shwany | January 13th 23 |
| 3.5 great | ZuZo | October 13th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | janunn | July 31st 22 |
| 3.0 good | Logan | June 29th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Arche | April 16th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Oobaloo | January 13th 22 |
| 3.5 great | solrage | December 29th 21 |
| 3.5 great | valek | August 21st 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Luxx | July 8th 21 |
| 3.5 great | heck | May 8th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Josh | April 21st 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | CHINDI | February 15th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Shamzus | December 9th 20 |
| 3.0 good | javi66 | November 22nd 20 |
| 3.2 good | Rowan5215 EMERITUS | November 11th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Skiiddz | September 25th 20 |
| 1.5 very poor | Yebele | January 18th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | d00stin | October 18th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Macck | August 25th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Wulg | August 12th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | benkim | July 28th 19 |
| 3.5 great | wrax | March 10th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pandos | March 1st 19 |
| 4.5 superb | adios | February 2nd 19 |
| 3.0 good | Krpa | December 15th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Uzumaki | December 12th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | bSmith | November 17th 18 |
| 3.5 great | tellah | November 14th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Freedom | September 28th 18 |
| 3.5 great | alarm | May 1st 18 |
| 3.5 great | JDubb | April 29th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | AndSalx | February 21st 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Tethyan | November 13th 17 |
| 2.5 average | Zecke | October 4th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | JJKeys | September 12th 17 |
| 3.0 good | FCY | September 9th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Arron | September 8th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | nebula | June 19th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Collis | April 19th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Since | April 4th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Mojito | March 5th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rodstar | December 20th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Wolfe | November 29th 16 |
| 3.5 great | blob64 | November 6th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Twiddlw | October 24th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | jhou | October 21st 16 |
| 3.0 good | Hyndez | September 15th 16 |
| 3.5 great | ngk44 | April 4th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | Apsod | March 10th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | Rodin | February 28th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | MaggieG | February 23rd 16 |
| 3.0 good | Xerian | February 14th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | btati | November 12th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Hypnone | October 12th 15 |
| 3.0 good | Nomadic | September 24th 15 |
| 2.5 average | mzeet | August 16th 15 |
| 3.0 good | Froot | July 26th 15 |
| 3.5 great | Mad. | June 7th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Karluk | March 29th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Peeps9 | January 22nd 15 |
| 2.5 average | Diamant | January 21st 15 |
| 3.5 great | Krimea | December 24th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pels0 | November 17th 14 |
| 2.5 average | dbilidb | November 15th 14 |
| 3.0 good | Jeejee | November 12th 14 |
| 2.0 poor | Runeii | November 9th 14 |
| 2.5 average | tiberk | October 22nd 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | cromag1 | October 22nd 14 |
| 2.5 average | Titan | October 19th 14 |
| 3.5 great | ariich | October 4th 14 |
| 3.5 great | Arctick | September 8th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tjler | August 4th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | KVOOL | July 9th 14 |
| 1.5 very poor | wwba | June 30th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | botb | May 3rd 14 |
| 3.5 great | Digis | April 12th 14 |
| 3.0 good | seifer | April 10th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sagax | April 9th 14 |
| 3.5 great | J | March 30th 14 |
| 3.5 great | jounik | March 10th 14 |
| 3.5 great | Adam | March 4th 14 |
| 3.5 great | Creed | February 23rd 14 |
| 3.5 great | Nud | February 6th 14 |
| 3.5 great | JMH90 | February 2nd 14 |
| 1.5 very poor | FWX | February 2nd 14 |
| 4.5 superb | xercesD | February 2nd 14 |
| 2.0 poor | MO | January 28th 14 |
| 2.5 average | Wadlez | January 25th 14 |
| 3.0 good | mursu | January 17th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | ipwn | January 16th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | dre517 | January 15th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | rawni | December 28th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | sp0tnik | December 22nd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Cemb | December 19th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Slade18 | December 11th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | sicrvat | December 10th 13 |
| 1.5 very poor | Regalia | December 6th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Casson8 | December 5th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zeg | November 19th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Alex C. | November 11th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Keez | November 8th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | muehlum | October 30th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Coast | October 30th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Lalka | October 22nd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | lhy65 | October 21st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rice303 | October 20th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Tupi | October 8th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | brunoV | October 1st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | d00derz | September 23rd 13 |
| 2.0 poor | Gmork89 | September 17th 13 |
| 3.5 great | marasm | September 14th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Motyl | September 10th 13 |
| 3.5 great | tcat84 | September 5th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Epitome | September 5th 13 |
| 3.5 great | xapz | August 31st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | xTo | August 26th 13 |
| 1.5 very poor | Smoff | August 25th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | blabony | August 22nd 13 |
| 3.5 great | Pndi | August 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | PKSteve | August 13th 13 |
| 3.0 good | pxl | August 10th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | matt4 | August 9th 13 |
| 3.5 great | dtpd | August 9th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | kabes | August 7th 13 |
| 3.0 good | dre458 | August 5th 13 |
| 3.0 good | dgrona | August 5th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | aahop | August 5th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | JS19 | August 2nd 13 |
| 2.5 average | bakor | August 2nd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | ryan10 | August 2nd 13 |
| 3.5 great | Scoot | August 1st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tum0r | July 31st 13 |
| 1.5 very poor | dyanmon | July 30th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Trist66 | July 30th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Betacra | July 29th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | CutMan | July 29th 13 |
| 3.5 great | N2B3J | July 28th 13 |
| 3.5 great | zmol | July 28th 13 |
| 2.5 average | KILL | July 26th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Shogun | July 25th 13 |
| 3.5 great | jmh886 | July 24th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Majkl | July 24th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zantera | July 24th 13 |
| 3.5 great | JKoppe | July 24th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | fcuk | July 22nd 13 |
| 4.5 superb | DanN91 | July 22nd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | pmb1288 | July 20th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Thor | July 20th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Zamora | July 20th 13 |
| 2.5 average | zuzek | July 20th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | max13x | July 20th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | bastni | July 20th 13 |
| 1.0 awful | Bfj46 | July 20th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | netromo | July 20th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Dodge | July 20th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | KUBT | July 20th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | cb123 | July 20th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | mrend55 | July 20th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tobmast | July 19th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Damon | July 19th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Amebix | July 19th 13 |
| 1.5 very poor | Loctite | July 19th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | BlissX | July 19th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Gavwah | July 19th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | coleba | July 19th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | LG | July 18th 13 |
| 3.7 great | greg84 EMERITUS | July 18th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | JackAG | July 18th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Drpibb | July 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Omeggia | July 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sach360 | July 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Benwx | July 18th 13 |
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