Karnivool has released a new single titled ‘Opal’, from their upcoming fourth album, ‘In Verses’ on 2nd December, 2025
The track follows earlier singles ‘Drone’ and ‘Aozora’ and gives fans a longer look at the record before its release on 6 February 2026 via Cymatic Records/Sony Music.
Frontman Ian Kenny calls ‘Opal’ a six-minute journey that “takes you out to the desert by the end of it.” The song centres on a riff the band first recorded around the time of their debut album Themata almost 20 years ago.
Guitarist Drew Goddard says he first tracked the main riff for Karnivool on a computer at his parents’ house during the Themata era. Bassist Jon Stockman later found the idea again, and the band reshaped it until it felt current. Part of the verse, which begins with the line “You’ve been holding up…”, started as a section the band removed from ‘Aeons‘ on their 2013 album Asymmetry.
The Story Behind In Verses
Karnivool says they have worked on In Verses for more than a decade, and the record reflects the band’s experiences over that time. They recorded the album in their Perth studio with longtime producer and collaborator Forrester Savell. Across ten tracks, the group explores frustration, release, and a renewed sense of identity. The track list includes ‘Ghost’, ‘Drone’, ‘Aozora’, ‘Animation’, ‘Remote Self Control’, ‘Opal’, and more. The band sees the album as both a fresh starting point for new listeners and a welcome return for longtime fans.
The Perth-based five-piece progressive nu-metal band has led Australia’s prog rock scene for over twenty years. Their past albums Themata (2005), Sound Awake (2009) and Asymmetry (2013) all charted, with Asymmetry reaching number one on the ARIA charts. The band has also earned 17 Western Australian Music Industry Awards, an ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album and was also shortlisted thrice for an APRA Award.
Karnivool’s current line-up features founding members Ian Kenny and guitarist Drew Goddard, with Jon Stockman on bass, Mark Hosking on guitar and Steve Judd on drums. ‘Opal’ is out now on streaming services, and In Verses will arrive on 6 February 2026, with pre-orders and pre-saves already open.
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