KARNIVOOL | Themata | Album Review

This throwback album review is a retrospective look back at Karnivool's debut album, "Themata", from 2005. In almost every way imaginable, Karnivool is one of rock and metal's most underrated bands of all time. But, it isn't like that in every single continent, because in their home country of Australia, they are way more notable. This is also crazy considering Karnivool's discography is only three full albums, plus a couple of EPs recorded in 1999 and 2001 that acted as a preface to the band's incredible career. "Themata", the band's major starting point as an album-making act, was released on February 7th, 2005 through MGM Distribution before getting released in the United States through Bieler Bros Records on April 10th, 2007. What's interesting is that this album has not only been put out by many different labels, even getting a UK release in 2008 through Happy Go Lucky, but the recording sessions took place in the year 2004, with one of the singles, "L1fel1ke" being recorded all the way back in 2001, years before "Themata" came out. That's a long time indeed. Out of Karnivool's three albums, "Themata" is also the band's most conventional album in the way it's structured. It's an alternative metal album with a dose of the progressive tendencies that they'd be adept at incorporating later on while also featuring elements of nu-metal. It's a unique mix, and for such a unique band, it's proof that even at their simplest, Karnivool knew how to make something enjoyable. So, why is "Themata" as fantastic as it is? Why is this one of the best debut records of all time, if not THE best debut record ever made? 

"COTE", the title track, and "Shutterspeed" kick off the album on a very strong footing. All of these track display Karnivool's strengths in the best way possible and you'll find yourself coming back to these songs consistently even after you've heard the album for the first time. "COTE", which is an abbreviation for "Centre Of The Earth", starts slowly before building into simple but effective riffs, then drops down again with solemn notes while Ian Kenny softly sings. The shifts in sound that take place on this track are beautiful and every single moment is worth hearing, especially in the first half of the song. The drumming from Drew Goddard only adds to how spectacular the song is as a whole. The titular cut is the song that most people who are familiar with the band have heard, and it's the Australian act's most well known song, and for good reason. At close to six minutes in length, the song has a considerable amount of heaviness in the riffs while Kenny's at times rapid vocal delivery is on point. The orchestral elements come in after the second chorus, and it's an example of the band taking that extra mile to make a song instantly memorable and complete. This song's pace is superb, as there isn't a single moment in the song that drags or takes you out of the experience. That's an impressive feat. "Shutterspeed" is another single, and follows in the same vein as the previous tracks, though more simplified. The bounce in the instruments as well as Kenny's passionate singing are the main highlights of "Shutterspeed", as it's another song that feels like legitimate time was spent to make it fire on all cylinders. The musicianship, writing, and vocals on each track deliver phenomenally, and these three tracks are not a fluke in any way. The rest of the album maintains this level of quality throughout. 

The track "Roquefort" is another example of the band's best abilities put into a blender and mixed thoroughly to the point of absolute consistency. Ian Kenny's vocal performance here is beyond perfect, and that's probably the best element that this song has to offer. The riffs and lyrics also don't disappoint here, and again we run into the situation where everything that is heard is executed in the best way imaginable. The same could be said for the preceding track, "Fear Of The Sky", where the verses are excellent, and the more nu-metal leaning "L1fel1ke", which is instantly catchy and memorable the moment it hits your ears. These tracks add so much to an already amazing album, and that's crazy since the song "L1fel1ke" was recorded three years before the other tracks were. After a crushing interlude entitled "Scarabs", we then get to the most melodic cut on the album, "Sewn And Silent". This is the moment of the album where Karnivool prove that they're more than just guitars and energized vocals. The acoustics here are gorgeous and Kenny really lets loose on the vocal front. The lyrics are amazing and the chorus hook of "Slow down, take time, let it heal" is effective in the best way imaginable. The next song "Mauseum" is a little of both worlds with the riff-heavy side just as prominent as the melodic side but every side is showcased perfectly. Every single moment of this song delivers, and it is a highlight amongst many highlight tracks to choose from. 

If there is something that's a bit underwhelming about the album, it's the track "Synops". Not that this is a bad song, not at all, but compared to tracks like "Roquefort", "Mauseum", and the title track, this song really doesn't do much. It is a bit awkward, but there is still more than enough to enjoy here. The album ends with "Change (Part 1)", which closes the album on a cliffhanger, but in the context of this album I can see what they were going for here. The quiet singing from Kenny at the end really does this track a lot of good favors, though. So, in general, this isn't Karnivool's most consistent work, which would actually be the following album "Sound Awake". But, as a debut album, "Themata" really kicks the door down and provides a unique foray into their genre, not to mention it is an album that is highly influential to other rock and metal acts from down under. Albums where it's hard to choose a favorite track are always enjoyable, because it shows that many of the tracks, if not all of them, are worth hearing and enjoying for years to come. That is why Karnivool's "Themata" has the staying power that it does. There's so much to love and latch on to with this album, and it put a very talented band on the map. In a musical climate that shifted so much in the mid 2000's, this album stands tall as one of the most unique productions of its time. Overall, "Themata" is truly one of the best debut albums ever recorded. Filled with amazing vocals and musicality along with well-written lyrics and songs that don't feel as long as the runtimes allude to, Karnivool's first album is excellent and masterful on all levels imaginable and should be heard by more people. It's so good to see this world is alive, and this record was part of the reason why. 

RATING: 10/10 

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