Avatar – Black Waltz (Gain / Sony Music)
The fourth album from Avatar ‘Black Waltz’ is set for release on 19th November via gain / Sony Music. It was released earlier this year in America and their native Scandinavia and hit the airwaves harder than a ten ton truck going over a hundred miles an hour. Their first single release ‘Let It Burn’ has become one of the most played rock songs in America reaching the top 40 on the American Active Rock list as well as topping Bandit Most Wanted several times on Scandinavians Bandit Rock radio. The band are Johannes Eckerstrom (vocals), Jonas Jarlsby (guitar), Tim Ohrstrom (guitar), Henrik Sandelin (bass), and John Alfredsson (drums). The title single‘Black waltz’ has a stunning and slightly disturbing video featuring world infamous sideshow group Hellzapoppin. They have also toured with Megadeth, Stone Sour, In Flames, and Helloween. Having been compared to Rammstein, System Of A Down, and In Flames I was pretty excited to get my hands on their latest release.
Heavy riffs and power chords with screamed vocals are the trademark of this band and they have well earned their reputation for hard hitting songs. Eckerstrom’s vocals are really very good though they do lean towards screemo but still manage to convey a sense of dark purpose and when he actually sings are thoroughly enjoyable. The guitars are excellent too and the back line pulls everything together nicely. There really is a lot more to this band whose technical skill is shown in the flare and style with which the songs are put together beyond simple making as much noise as is humanly possible. There is drama and emotion in every track making them serious competition for those they have been compared to by others. The almost choral qualities ‘Torn Apart’ conflict and contrast with the fast and furious ‘Ready For The Ride’. Whilst the deeply ominous ‘In Napalm’ really does send shivers up your spine. ‘Let It Burn’ really is one of the stars of the album with its county infused guitars think Dolly Parton has a sex change and goes straight to heavy metal hell it’s that insane that it crosses the line into pure genius! This is a complex and versatile album with many sophisticated layers making this one of the best albums of its kind out there. 7.8/10
Helen Todner