Avatar (band)

Avatar
Background information
Origin Gothenburg, Sweden
Genres
Years active 2001−present
Labels
Website www.avatarmetal.com
Members Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby
John Alfredsson
Johannes Eckerström
Tim Öhrström
Henrik Sandelin
Past members Simon Andersson

Avatar is a heavy metal band, formed in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2001. The band has released seven studio albums, the most recent being Avatar Country in 2018. The band has had some success on US rock radio as well, notably with their song "New Land", which peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in May 2017.

History

Formation and early releases (2001−2010)

The band was formed in 2001 by drummer John Alfredsson and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, who at the time were in separate bands.[1] After several lineup changes, the band released two four song EP demos in 2004: Personal Observations released on January 18, 2004[2] and 4 Reasons to Die on November 19, 2004.[3] Avatar's first studio album, Thoughts Of No Tomorrow was released on January 25, 2006[4] and peaked at #47 on the Sweden Albums Top 60.[5] Several European tours as a supporting act for Impaled Nazarene, Evergrey, and In Flames.[6]

Avatar logo

Their second album, Schlacht, was released in October 24, 2007,[7] reaching spot 27 on the Swedish album chart.[8] Björn Gelotte from In Flames contributed a guitar solo on the track Letters From Neverend. The subsequent set of tours saw them perform at the 2008 Sweden Rock Festival[9] as well as shows in support of Obituary (January - February 2008), and Hardcore Superstar (October - November 2009). The band's third album, the self-titled Avatar, was released in Sweden in November 2009 reaching the 36th position on the national album chart.[10] In January 2010 the music video for the song Queen of Blades was released on the band's website. Around that time, the band signed with Sony Music for the German and Swiss release of the latest album on March 26, 2010.[11] In April of the same year a deal was signed with the Japanese label Art Union, for a May 19 launch of the album.[12] They then launched into an ambitious touring schedule appearing at the 2010 Storsjöyran,[13] and also with Warrior Soul (March - April 2010), Dark Tranquillity (October - November 2010), and Helloween (December 2010 - January 2011).

Black Waltz and Hail the Apocalypse (2011−2015)

Johannes Eckerström, lead singer of Avatar

In December 2011 guitarist Simon Andersson left the band, being replaced by Tim Öhrström. On January 25, 2012 the album Black Waltz was released in Europe. It reached position 25 on the album list in Avatar's native Sweden.[14] The album was released in the US on February 14.[15] Black Waltz marks the first appearance of the "Clown" face paint now worn regularly by Eckerström.[16][17] To support the American release of Black Waltz, Avatar embarked on its first ever U.S. tour alongside Lacuna Coil and Sevendust in February 2013.[18]

In August 2013, after the wife of Device and Disturbed vocalist David Draiman gave birth and Draiman opted to bow out of his tour schedule, Avatar was picked by Avenged Sevenfold to replace Device and continue to tour with them and Five Finger Death Punch.[19] The following fall, the band spent a month in Thailand recording for a new album, planned for release in March 2014. On March 11, 2014 it was announced that Avatar's fifth album would be titled Hail the Apocalypse and was released May 13, 2014 via eOne Music. The album's first single, the title track, was released March 17, 2014 and was accompanied by a video.[20] The new album is produced by Tobias Lindell and mixed by Jay Ruston. Since the release of Hail the Apocalypse, Avatar has conducted several tours of the U.S. and Europe as both a supporting and headline act, as well as performing at festivals such as Rock on the Range 2014 and the inaugural Louder Than Life.[21][22] The music video for 'Vultures Fly' premiered on January 26, 2015[23] and earned distinction by being voted #1 for five weeks in a row in Loudwire's Battle Royal video countdown, as well as their 2015 Best Rock Video.[24][25] Avatar then began a U.S. tour in April 2015 consisting of headline performances, and supporting Five Finger Death Punch and Mushroomhead.[26][27][28]

On May 6, 2015 it was announced that Avatar would be included in the lineup of Shiprocked 2016.[29] Avatar returned to the U.S. for another headline tour in August and September 2015 with Gemini Syndrome First Decree and January/ February 2016 with September Mourning [30] prior to returning to Sweden to complete writing on the follow up to Hail The Apocalypse.[31] Sylvia Massy was announced as producer of that album, which was then recorded in three studios across Europe.[32][33] Towards the end of 2015, it was announced Avatar would be scheduled to appear at several festivals in 2016, to include Rock on the Range[34] and Carolina Rebellion.[35]

Feathers & Flesh (2016−2017)

After several tours supporting 2014's Hail the Apocalypse, Avatar entered the studio in December 2015 to begin recording a then unnamed follow-up studio album. The band split their time between three European studios — Castle Studios in Rohrsdorf, Germany, Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland and Spinroad Studios in Lindome, Sweden. Acclaimed producer Sylvia Massy, noted for her work with Tool and Red Hot Chili Peppers, praised Avatar as 'relentless', noting singer Johannes Eckerström as having 'wild energy and charisma'. The start of recording sessions also coincided with multiple updates via the band's Instagram account, chronicling their time in the studio.[36] Once recording finished, Avatar took part in Shiprocked 2016, then toured the southern United States with September Mourning and Saint Diablo.[37][38] On January 30, 2016 in Dallas, Texas, Avatar performed the song For The Swarm, for the first time, the first original song since the release of their previous album.[39]

Avatar playing live 2015

On March 3, 2016, Avatar revealed the name of the new album, Feathers & Flesh, via their official website, and through social media.[40][41] A release date of May 13, 2016 was also announced, as well as several pre-ordering merchandise bundles that would be available to order on March 17, 2016. One bundle offers a 60-page, 109-verse poem hardcover book described on the band's Facebook as 'a story too extensive for any booklet'. The first single, For The Swarm, was released as a reward for those pre-ordering the album on iTunes. A music video of this single was also released.[42] Fan reception of the new song and video were high, as evidenced in For The Swarm being voted #1 in Loudwire's Battle Royale for the week ending March 11, 2016.[43] On March 17th, 2016 the singles, Regret and House of Eternal Hunt were released to help kick off pre-ordering of merchandise bundles for Feathers & Flesh. A video directed by Johan Carlén was released featuring the two songs playing sequentially as the view pans around a darkened art gallery, with many paintings of birds, primarily owls, mirroring some of the artwork that the band has created for the individual songs on their album. Regret, as the opening track on the album, is described by the band as “an intense journey through epicness” and, “...by far the most different album intro we ever written.” The song introduces 'The Owl', the protagonist of the album as she lays dying, reflecting on her past. House of Eternal Hunt, described by the band as "the definition of metal", starts the tale of The Owl, a "predator ruling the sky" according to Eckerström.[44] The first 'official' single, The Eagle Has Landed, was released March 25, 2016. As with the previously released singles, this track was an instant gratification reward for pre-ordering Feathers & Flesh. The song introduces 'The Eagle', "...crashing into the world of his adversary", according to Eckerström. No new music video was released with this track, though the band did upload the song to its official YouTube channel with the same video featured for the release of Regret and House of Eternal Hunt.[45]

On June 12, 2017, Avatar were awarded the Breakthrough Band Award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods.[46]

Avatar Country (2017−present)

Avatar live at Rock am Ring 2018

On October 24, 2017, Avatar released a new single called "A Statue of the King", along with the announcement that they will release their seventh album, "Avatar Country", on January 12, 2018. It was also announced the dates of the new Avatar tour, Called "Avatar Country Tour", which starts in January 2018 in North America and arrives in Europe in March of the same year.[47]

On December 13 the song "The King Wants You" was released on SiriusXM Octane radio, and soon available on digital platforms, being the second single from the album "Avatar Country". The official music video was released on December 19.

On January 12, 2018, "Avatar Country" was released worldwide, available both through streaming services such as Spotify, and in physical formats from music stores throughout the world.

Musical style and influences

Avatar has been described as a heavy metal[48] band, and more specifically as melodic death metal,[49] groove metal,[50] and progressive metal.[51] Originally a pure melodic death metal band, Avatar later began to play a different style of music, moving to a more avant-garde metal style.[52] Avatar's influences include In Flames, Dark Tranquility, the Haunted, Marilyn Manson, Ministry, Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend, ABBA, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Rammstein, Beethoven, Helloween, the Beatles, Ozzy Osbourne, Meshuggah, and Cryptopsy.[53][54][55][56][57]

Band members

Avatar at Hellfest in 2017.

Current

  • Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby - guitars (2001–present)
  • John Alfredsson - drums (2001–present)
  • Johannes Eckerström - lead vocals (2001–present)
  • Henrik Sandelin - bass, backing vocals (2001–present)
  • Tim Öhrström - guitars, backing vocals (2012–present)

Past members

  • Simon Andersson - guitars (2001-2011)

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
SWE
[58]		 US
[59]		 US
Ind.[60]
2006 Thoughts of No Tomorrow
  • Released: September 15, 2006
  • Label: Gain Music Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL
 — — —
2007 Schlacht
  • Released: October 29, 2007
  • Label: Gain
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL
 — — —
2009 Avatar
  • Released: November 20, 2009
  • Label: Gain
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL
 36 — —
2012 Black Waltz
  • Released: January 25, 2012
  • Label: Gain
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL
 25 — —
2014 Hail the Apocalypse — 97 18
2016 Feathers & Flesh
  • Released: May 13, 2016
  • Label: eOne
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL
 — 88 —
2018 Avatar Country
  • Released: January 12, 2018
  • Label: eOne, Century Media
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL
 — 132 2

EP

  • 2011 - Black Waltz EP

Demos

  • 2003 - Personal Observations
  • 2004 - 4 Reasons to Die

Singles

Year Song US
Main.		 Album
2009 "The Great Pretender" — Avatar
2012 "Let it Burn" — Black Waltz
"Smells Like a Freakshow" 32
2014 "Hail the Apocalypse" — Hail the Apocalypse
"Bloody Angel" 25
"Vultures Fly" —
2016 "The Eagle Has Landed" 16 Feathers & Flesh
"Night Never Ending" 31
2017 "New Land" 20
"A Statue of the King" — Avatar Country
"The King Wants You" 27
2018 "The King Welcomes You To Avatar Country" —

References

  1. ↑ "Metalhead Alliance Interview With Avatar". Youtube.com. 2015-05-14. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  2. ↑ "Avatar - Personal Observations - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  3. ↑ "Avatar - 4 Reasons to Die - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  4. ↑ "Avatar - Thoughts of No Tomorrow - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  5. ↑ "Thoughts Of No Tomorrow by Avatar - Music Charts". Acharts.co. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  6. ↑ "Avatar: 'Schlacht' Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  7. ↑ "Avatar - Schlacht - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  8. ↑ Sverigetopplistan.se - Veckolista Album - Vecka 44, 1 November 2007 Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  9. ↑ "Sweden Rock Festival 2008 Setlists". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  10. ↑ Sverigetopplistan.se - Veckolista Album - Vecka 47, 20 November 2009 Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  11. ↑ Avatar Signs With Sony Music Germany Retrieved 2010-02-23.
  12. ↑ Japan here we come Retrieved 2010-04-30
  13. ↑ "Storsjöyran 2010 | Festivalinfo". Festivalinfo.se. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  14. ↑ Veckolista Album - Vecka 5, 3 februari 2012 Archived July 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-02-08
  15. ↑ Retrieved 2012-02-08
  16. ↑ "Avatar – "Bloody Angel": Hard Rock Daddy Review | Hard Rock Daddy". Hardrockdaddy.wordpress.com. 2014-05-30. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  17. ↑ "The Last Laugh – An Interview with Avatar". Metal Blast!. 2013-12-01. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  18. ↑ "Avatar To Support Sevendust And Lacuna Coil - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  19. ↑ Loudwire.com - David Draiman Cancels Device Tour Dates Due to Wife’s Pregnancy Complications, August 28, 2013 Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  20. ↑ "AVATAR Interview: Vocalist Talks 'Hail the Apocalypse'". Metalholic. 2014-03-11. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  21. ↑ "Rock on the Range". Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Louder than Life". Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  23. ↑ AVATAR: 'Vultures Fly' Video Released - January 26, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  24. ↑ "Avatar Win 5th Annual Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Video". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  25. ↑ Avatar Fend Off RED to Enter Video Countdown Hall of Fame - March 6, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  26. ↑ AVATAR AT EXPO FIVE IN LOUISVILLE, KY - May 7, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  27. ↑ AVATAR AT PIERE’S IN FORT WAYNE May 16, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  28. ↑ Five Finger Death Punch hits Mobile - May 4, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  29. ↑ SR16 Lineup Retrieved 2015-05-21
  30. ↑ "Avatar, September Mourning and Saint Diablo US Tour Dates". Metalnerd.net. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  31. ↑ "Avatar Announce U.S. Tour With Huntress + Gemini Syndrome". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  32. ↑ "Avatar enter studio with sylvia massy". teamrock.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  33. ↑ "Avatar Begin Recording for 2016 Studio Album". Loudwwire.com. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  34. ↑ "Lineup for 2016 Rock on the Range Announced - Hard Rock & Heavy Metal News | Music Videos |Golden Gods Awards". Revolvermag.com. 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  35. ↑ "Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch Lead Carolina Rebellion". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  36. ↑ "Avatar Begin Recording for 2016 Studio Album". Loudwire.com. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  37. ↑ "Avatar, September Mourning, and Saint Diablo U.S. tour dates". metalnerd.net. 2015-12-21. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  38. ↑ "ShipRocked 2016 – Day 2: Seether, Hellyeah, Avatar + More". Loudwire.com. 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  39. ↑ "Avatar Perform New Song "For The Swarm" Live". metalanarchy.com. 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  40. ↑ "Avatar Official Website". avatarmetal.com. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  41. ↑ "Avatar Announce 'Feathers and Flesh' Album Details + 'For the Swarm' Music Video". loudwire.com. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  42. ↑ "Avatar Announce 'Feathers and Flesh' Album Details + 'For the Swarm' Music Video". Loudwire.com. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  43. ↑ "Battle Royale: Avatar + Silvertung Crash Video Countdown". loudwire.com. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  44. ↑ "Avatar Unveil 'Regret' and 'House of Eternal Hunt' From 'Feathers & Flesh' Album". loudwire.com. 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  45. ↑ "Avatar Reveal New Single 'The Eagle Has Landed'". loudwire.com. 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  46. ↑ "BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, EXODUS Honored At 'Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2017-07-26.
  47. ↑ "AVATAR To Release 'Avatar Country' Album In January". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  48. ↑ "Avatar Country – AVATAR". Blabbermouth.net. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  49. ↑ "Avatar". AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  50. ↑ Glass, Polly (May 27, 2014). "Avatar: Hail The Apocalypse". Metal Hammer. TeamRock. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  51. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Hail the Apocalypse - Avatar". AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  52. ↑ Altkula, Magnus (February 8, 2012). "Avatar - Black Waltz (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  53. ↑ Salmeron, J (December 1, 2013). "The Last Laugh - An Interview with Avatar". Metal Blast!. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  54. ↑ Lawton, Adam (February 23, 2012). "Interview with Avatar's Johannes Eckerstrom". Media Mikes. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  55. ↑ Goodman, Eleanor (October 27, 2016). "Avatar: The 10 Albums That Changed Johannes Eckerström's Life". Metal Hammer. TeamRock. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  56. ↑ "Interview With Johannes Eckerström of Avatar". Pop Culture Madness. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  57. ↑ "Interview: Johannes Eckerstrom - Avatar". RockRevolt. May 24, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  58. ↑ "Discography Avatar". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
  59. ↑ Peak chart positions in the United States:
    • "Avatar Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  60. ↑ "Avatar Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
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