That evening we received a selection of songs from the new album 2018 Avatar Country such as, A Statue of the King, Glory To Our King and The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country. Taking turns on Lead, the guitarists Tim Öhrström and Kungen showed amazing talent on stage, alongside the petrol can drinking frontman, Johannes Eckerström and his harmonious vocals hitting those mercury high notes.
The show itself was very entertaining and nostalgic at times as they played later tracks from the following Albums, Feathers & Flesh 2016, Hail the Apocalypse 2014 and 2012 Black Waltz Album. During the making of the “Black Waltz” music video, the band asked their makeup artist to come with something to make frontman Johannes Eckerström fit in with the characters, and she responded with the “Clown” face paint, which Eckerström is also seen wearing on the album cover. Eckerström has said, “… Something clicked… seeing that face, it awakened something that really wasn’t there before; or was but was well hidden… Suddenly the music got its face.” Swedish metal kings Avatar are a band to check out as they next head out for a world tour with Trivium in 2019.
Headlining that evening was female fronted band Halestorm on their Europe 2018 Vicious Tour. Lzzy Hale lead vocalist blew us away with such velocity and grace on stage, her vocals were phenomenal and no fault in her playing. The guitarist Joe Storm had some complex and catchy riffs including outstanding solos. Drummer Arejay, had several solos throughout the set keeping the crowd in awe.
Halestorm performed a selection of songs from Into the Wild fire, 2012 the strange case of.. And their new recently released 2018 album Vicious with songs starting off with Uncomfortable and other such as Black Vultures & Killing Ourselves to Live, Lzzys hard hitting strong vocals make this have a feel of a Joan Jet-esq vibe.
Overall, a brilliant night especially if you were going out for a girl night, filled with an abundance of entertaining stage presence and female empowerment to this sold out gig.
Check out this interview with Avatar’s Johannes Eckerström below!