KARNIVOOL have released "In Verses" via Cymatic Records, their fourth studio album and first new music since 2013's "Asymmetry." The thirteen-year wait — one of the longest between albums for any active band in progressive metal — has ended with a record that critics are calling the Perth band's most ambitious and emotionally powerful work to date.
The 10-track album has been produced by longtime collaborator Forrester Savell, who has worked with KARNIVOOL since their 2005 debut "Themata." Savell's deep understanding of the band's creative process proved invaluable during what was reportedly a challenging and intensive recording period. The album represents 13 years of accumulated life experiences, personal growth, and relentless studio experimentation, channeling collective feelings of frustration, catharsis, and a rediscovery of identity.
Tracks "Ghost," "Drone," "Aozora," and "Animation" showcase KARNIVOOL's signature rhythmic complexity and atmospheric depth. "Opal," which premiered in December 2025 alongside the album announcement, offered the first taste of what was to come, while "Drone" served as the initial preview that confirmed the band had lost none of their technical prowess or emotional resonance during the long hiatus.
KARNIVOOL occupy a unique space in progressive metal — heavier and more rhythmically aggressive than most progressive rock, yet more melodically sophisticated and emotionally nuanced than typical metal. Their influence can be heard in bands like LEPROUS, CALIGULA'S HORSE, and VOYAGER, all of whom have acknowledged the impact of albums like "Sound Awake" on their own development.
The album is being hailed as one of 2026's early highlights, proving that the interminable wait was worthwhile. A UK and European tour kicks off April 14 in Copenhagen, running through 22 dates across 13 countries with support from Canadian instrumental progressive act INTERVALS.