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Avatar (band)

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Avatar
Background information
OriginGöteborg, Sweden
GenresGroove metal, melodic death metal, alternative metal
Years active2001−present
LabelsGain Music Entertainment, eOne Music
MembersJohannes Eckerström
Jonas Jarlsby
Tim Öhrström
Henrik Sandelin
John Alfredsson
Past membersSimon Andersson
Websitehttp://www.avatarmetal.com/

Avatar is a metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden.

Avatar logo

History

2000s

The band was formed in 2001 by drummer John Alfredsson and singer Johannes Eckerström.[1] After several lineup changes, the band released two 4 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]

Their sophomore 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 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).

2010s

Johannes Eckerström lead singer of Avatar

In January 2010 the music video for the song Queen of Blades was released on the band's website. Blizzard Entertainment mentioned this on their Facebook and Twitter pages, since the song is about the character Sarah Kerrigan from their game Starcraft,[14] giving the band much attention among the game's many fans. December 2011 saw guitarist Simon Andersson leave 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.[15] The album was released in the US on February 14.[16] Black Waltz marks the first appearance of the "Clown" face paint now worn regularly by Eckerström.[17][18] 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.[19]

In August 2013, after the wife of Device singer, David Draiman, developed pregnancy complications, Avatar was picked by Avenged Sevenfold to replace Device and continue to tour with them and Five Finger Death Punch.[20] 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.[21] 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.[22][23] The music video for 'Vultures Fly' premiered on January 26, 2015[24] 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.[25][26] Avatar then began a U.S. tour in April 2015 consisting of headline performances, and supporting Five Finger Death Punch and Mushroomhead.[27][28][29]

On May 6, 2015 it was announced that Avatar would be included in the lineup of Shiprocked 2016.[30] 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 [31]prior to returning to Sweden to complete writing on the follow up to Hail The Apocalypse.[32] Sylvia Massy was announced as producer of this upcoming album, which is being recorded in three studios across Europe.[33][34] 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[35] and Carolina Rebellion.[36]

Feathers & Flesh

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.[37] Once recording finished, Avatar took part in Shiprocked 2016, then toured the southern United States with September Mourning and Saint Diablo.[38][39] 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.[40]

On March 3, 2016 pre-order information was released on the Avatar official site. 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.[41]

Avatar playing live 2015
  • Avatar Live @ Free & Easy Festival 2015
  • Henrik Sandelin
    Henrik Sandelin
  • Johannes Eckerström
    Johannes Eckerström
  • John Alfredsson
    John Alfredsson
  • Tim Öhrström
    Tim Öhrström

Current members

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

Past members

  • Simon Andersson - guitar (2001-2012)

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

  • 2004 - 4 Reasons to Die
  • 2011 - Black Waltz EP

Demos

  • 2003 - Personal Observations

References

  1. ^ "Interview Avatar 2010". Metal-experience.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  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. ^ Avatar: ”Två av våra låtar handlar om Starcraft” Retrieved 2010-02-23.
  15. ^ Veckolista Album - Vecka 5, 3 februari 2012 Retrieved 2012-02-08
  16. ^ [1] Retrieved 2012-02-08
  17. ^ "Avatar – "Bloody Angel": Hard Rock Daddy Review | Hard Rock Daddy". Hardrockdaddy.wordpress.com. 2014-05-30. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  18. ^ "The Last Laugh – An Interview with Avatar". Metal Blast!. 2013-12-01. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  19. ^ "Avatar To Support Sevendust And Lacuna Coil - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  20. ^ Loudwire.com - David Draiman Cancels Device Tour Dates Due to Wife’s Pregnancy Complications, August 28, 2013 Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  21. ^ "AVATAR Interview: Vocalist Talks 'Hail the Apocalypse'". Metalholic. 2014-03-11. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  22. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20150516020523/http://rockontherange.com:80/lineup_2014.html. Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20150422220834/http://www.louderthanlifefestival.com:80/music.html. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ AVATAR: 'Vultures Fly' Video Released - January 26, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  25. ^ "Avatar Win 5th Annual Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Video". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  26. ^ Avatar Fend Off RED to Enter Video Countdown Hall of Fame - March 6, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  27. ^ AVATAR AT EXPO FIVE IN LOUISVILLE, KY - May 7, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  28. ^ AVATAR AT PIERE’S IN FORT WAYNE May 16, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  29. ^ Five Finger Death Punch hits Mobile - May 4, 2015 Retrieved 2015-05-21
  30. ^ SR16 Lineup Retrieved 2015-05-21
  31. ^ "Avatar, September Mourning and Saint Diablo US Tour Dates". Metalnerd.net. Retrieved 2015-21-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  32. ^ "Avatar Announce U.S. Tour With Huntress + Gemini Syndrome". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  33. ^ "Avatar enter studio with sylvia massy". teamrock.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  34. ^ "Avatar Begin Recording for 2016 Studio Album". Loudwwire.com. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch Lead Carolina Rebellion". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  37. ^ "Avatar Begin Recording for 2016 Studio Album". Loudwire.com. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  38. ^ "Avatar, September Mourning, and Saint Diablo U.S. tour dates". metalnerd.net. 2015-12-21. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  39. ^ "ShipRocked 2016 – Day 2: Seether, Hellyeah, Avatar + More". Loudwire.com. 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  40. ^ "Avatar Perform New Song "For The Swarm" Live". metalanarchy.com. 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  41. ^ "Avatar Announce 'Feathers and Flesh' Album Details + 'For the Swarm' Music Video". Loudwire.com. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-03.

Reviews

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