Karnivool
Karnivool, Tesseract and Car Bomb live at Icecream Factory, Perth | 18 July 2026
There was celebratory and nostalgic fervour in the air. With two sold-out shows hosting Karnivool’s ‘In Verses’ Australian tour and punters filling out venue Ice Cream Factory from wall-to-wall.
With plenty of those in the mid-30s age bracket (and perhaps many early 2000s festival heads). Who now had the disposable income, and mortgage payments down pat to relive the glory days of Karnivool in two decades they have since been playing. The loyal home crowd pulling through. The Perth rock band received nothing but adulation and fan-fare from the crowd. Who were keen to get some post-punk hijinks started.
Two support bands were featured on the night. American mathcore band Car Bomb, and British progressive metal band Tesseract showing up from overseas. Giving attendees and decent line-up of the ol’ heavy sound and visceral vocals.
Car Bomb (Who’s name likely registered as licensed trademark by the Provision Irish Republican Army since the 90s) were the first act to play. With frontman Michael Dafferner providing visceral vocals that encapsulated a sound which bled technical angst live.
There were flashing lights, complex guitar riffs and a punchy drum beat that hit all the five senses simultaneously. With each band member going hard in their own way, you could really feel the vibratory feedback shake your body and realign any misplace bones or chakras.
Tesseract were more bombastic and theatrical by comparison. With the showstopping spectacle and fervour of a Hillsong church concert infused with the heavy, guttural sounds of a Linkin Park show in the early 2000s. Their set was moody, and thematic in how they visually displayed it. With bold cinematic visuals playing out (two robotic samurais stabbing each other; what more could you want?). Punters were frothing over their music, and their signature band logo flashed subliminally as their music continued to be played (most likely brainwashing punters to buy more t-shirts, and albums).
Karnivool were met with intense fanfare, and there was an enjoyable variety of songs to soak up. Ian Kenny gave special attention and consideration to the Perth crowd. Who welcomed the band to a long-awaited homecoming. There was a heady mixture of alternative rock, mixed in with some tender moments. Ian Kenny’s melodic wails (endearing, not insulting description) packed a punch and shone during the bands more emotional tracks.
Halfway through their set, Kenny picked out two punters who were throwing punches in the crowd. Strongly affirming that no fighting should occur at Karnivool shows, and that if they started to fight, they would need to ‘fuck off’. Kenny should be sent to open the Straight of Hormuz with his no-nonsense style of diplomacy.
Props had to be given to harpist, Michelle Smith, who mid set soothed punters with a lengthy solo. It was moody as it was poignant. And gave a little bit of a breather between all the heavy music.
The show was a tonne of fun, with Karnivool ruling the night with some ecstatic alt-rock rhythms and post-punk hardcore sounds. Finishing up with ‘Opal’ and ‘Salva’, the band got punters rocking out, and feeling 23 again. Staving off old age for just one more year.
Review by Joe Wilson
Photography by Keith Mitchell
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