Feature Opinion

In Review: Karnivool & OhGod In Cape Town

The sight of a packed venue is always encouraging, particularly when it’s for bands as unique as Karnivool and OhGod. I had no idea that this many people loved Karnivool and I had no idea that this many people had 400 bucks at this time of the month, for that matter.

Opening act OhGod is still one of the most enigmatic bands in our city. These masters of instrumental progressive rock have honed their craft to the point where the search for a vocalist is no longer necessary. Their set builds on clean ambient sections leading to massive overdriven choruses, as they toy constantly with the ebb and flow of the music. The performance is bolstered by their stage presence as they jam along and involve the crowd. There’s a good dose of friendly haggling in the mix and they seem to enjoy it. The level of synergy between members onstage makes it safe assume that OhGod is a fully formed band, sans vocalist, unconventional as though they may be.

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Karnivool is welcomed to their first performance on South African soil with a massive wave of cheering. It’s surreal to be seeing them in such an intimate setting considering the massive stadiums they’ve been known to play to. More than anything, it’s an absolute luxury.  Karnivool kicks off the set with with ‘Simple Boy,’ undeniably one of their best-known tunes. A sparkly xylophone sample gives way to chunky verse rhythms and Ian Kenny emerges. “I’m high above the world,” he sings, his voice cutting crystal clear through the mix. Most of the audience members sing the words back to him perfectly, and for a moment, there’s a flicker of excitement in his eyes. From that very first impression it’s clear that the audience is made up of true fans, setting the tone for a night of unrivalled participation from both sides.

At the epicenter of Karnivool’s rhythm section sits Steve Judd. He’s a beast of a man and a truly impressive drummer to watch. His face is the picture of pure concentration for most of the set as he holds together each impossibly complex song. Never hesitant, never unsure. Jon Stockman plays the bass line intro to ‘Umbra’ and as Judd comes in I see many heads shaking in consternation at the crazy drumming that backs it. It’s a perfect example of one of Karnivool’s strengths – In the absence of obscure time signatures, Judd adds displaced accents to rhythms that lull the listener into a false sense of rhythmic security, before the inevitable surprise of an ended verse or chorus. In moments like these I look to Kenny for guidance as he weaves gently, somehow in touch with the underlying rhythms embedded in the madness unfolding around him.

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We are treated to songs spanning Karnivool’s career. After each one, the crowd shows their appreciation with deafening approval. Three songs in, Kenny addresses the roaring mass, “This is just how we like it. You guys are awesome.” Few moments garner greater enthusiasm than when Kenny says, “We’d like to play you something new. Brand new.” For such Karnivool diehards as us, this is Christmas.

As Karnivool serves up ‘Roquefort’ it’s striking how differently all five members behave onstage. Each has their own obscure part to play. It’s only when you watch the band as a whole that patterns emerge. Many of the crazier songs that I’d heard suddenly make sense to me thanks to their collective body language.

Few vocalists can rival Kenny for consistently powerful delivery. Even when the speakers are swamped with the sounds of massive drums, complex guitars and bass his voice cuts straight through the mix. His searing angelic tone adds balance to Karnivool’s penchant for sonic chaos. He exudes quiet charisma and provides maximum power with minimal effort.

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Blue and white lights turn onto the crowd as the night closes with ‘New Day.’ Kenny looks almost messianic in silhouette with his outstretched arms. Once again, most people know the lyrics by heart and Kenny offers the microphone to them for a lyric here and there in appreciation. The performance is fascinating, just as much for the audience as it is for the band members themselves. It toys with your sense of timing and structure but never so far as to alienate. It plays out like a transfixing ritual.

OhGod and Karnivool demonstrate the true value of diverse bands members who commit themselves wholeheartedly to making original music. Credit for such an amazing evening belongs just as much to each and every person who came out and supported these acts, to those who sang every word as well as those who stood in goggle-eyed fascination. You brought out the best in those bands, and that is what live music is all about.

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Check out our exclusive gallery from the event.

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