Hey, who the hell put all of this post rock in my Karnivool album? I'll just get this out of the way: IN VERSES is a very solid album. Now, did I expect a less prog rock and mellow album? Yes. Yes I did. Is that on me? Unlike the HPV, I don't think it is - the motes of aggressive tendencies in Aysymmetry gave me a bit of hope for heavier elements, but we do have them here, too, but not to the extent I may have hoped for. Alas, what we have in IN VERSES is a turn away from the more terse atmospheres of Asymmetry that resembled an older age of progressive post metal, towards more spacious and patient melodic tropes of it's post rock counterpart. Again, this isn't a negative, as the intentionality of the album is clear: we're in a thematic space of various aspects of regret, longing, and clarity (to put it simply, I think) and as such requires said space to express itself. Now, is that overly emotional and introspective space inviting? Not really... not for me - I can be sad and regretful all on my own, thanks. But, musically, Karnivool have clearly shown that after 13 years they can still hold up their end of the bargain through creating memorable melodies, atmospheres, vocal passages, and lasting musical moments that will be sung across Australia in perpetuity. I've seen this happen live already and that matters - a lot. Do I wish I had more heavy, visceral, chunky sections to sink my teeth (I still have all of them) into? Yes. Is it still a great album? Also yes.