Karnivool

Formed during high school days in 1997, Karnivool began by performing at gatherings across Perth, mixing covers of Nirvana and Carcass with a few original compositions. After roughly twelve months, vocalist Ian Kenny redirected the group toward original songs exclusively, parting ways with the initial lineup—whose local reputation as “a bunch of clowns” had inspired the band’s name—and bringing in guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking, bassist Jon Stockman, and drummer Ray Hawking to record a self-titled EP. The EP was succeeded by the albums Persona in 2001 and Themata in 2005. On Themata, lead guitarist Drew Goddard handled the majority of the drum parts and introduced original material written in a distinctive dropped-B and standard E tuning combination. That tuning became a signature element as the band shifted from its early nu-metal approach to a progressive sound shaped by Tool. Drummer Steve Judd joined for live performances and soon became a full-time member. In 2007, Bieler Bros. Records issued Themata in the United States. Sound Awake arrived in 2009, entering the ARIA album charts at number two and ranking among the year’s strongest sellers on Australia’s independent chart.