AVATAR // GLASGOW GARAGE, GLASGOW
On the back of successful 2018 metal heads Avatar entertain a sold-out Glasgow Garage.
AVATAR PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S GARAGE - 16.01.2019
PICTURE BY: STUART WESTWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Avatar, A melodic metal band from Sweden certainly do not lack in ambition. From touring constantly across the world, releasing a concept album, Avatar Country and using Kickstarter to fund their own film based around the album, all in the same year.
Avatar Country is the latest album and describes a mythical King who harnesses the power of metal to turn a barren land into a prosperous one. Essentially highlighting the power of timeless metal music to bring people together.
The crowd are clearly united in their love of metal as Avatar are welcomed on to the stage like heroes for their first show of 2019. Dressed flamboyantly in regal get up, the band use their showmanship to amp up the crowd and then launch straight in to songs from Avatar Country.
Playing first A Statue of the King and then Legend of the King, as mini pyrotechnics go off and an impressive light show spelling out Avatars name begins it quickly becomes apparent that Avatar know how to make a live show a spectacular spectacle. The guitarist, Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby is quickly crowned the king and takes his place in a throne at the centre of the stage. This is the perfect place to view his lengthy guitars solos. He nimbly navigates the guitar fretboard making impossibly complex guitar solos seem effortless.
The singer, Johannes Eckerström clearly revels in his role as chief conductor for the entertainment this evening, working the crowd well and frequently pontificating about his love and the positive influence of metal between songs. The crowd eat up these messages and respond by giving him the horns symbol. The most impressive thing about Johannes is the adaptability of his voice as alternates between a death metal roar and calm catchy melodic tone of voice. This highlighted by the third song of the set Paint Me Red, with its huge chorus leading to the first loud singalong of the evening.
The impressive start to the set is continued as the urgent thrash riffing of The King’s Harvest and the shimmering quiet build-up of Let It Burn are enjoyed by the capacity crowd, who mosh ferociously as Lets it Burn hits it’s climax.
However, the set is not flawless as is overwrought and melodramatic. As the set goes on, Avatars song do begin to follow a formulaic pattern as heavy riffing, screaming verses given way to obvious, signposted choruses. This makes the show become predictable and these songs may have had a bigger impact if they had been preceded or followed by more sonic variety.
Avatar finish powerfully as Smells Like A Freakshow provokes a passionate response from the crowd, who obviously feel a kinship with the band. The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country is fun while the singalong and lyrics really drive home the bands message about the inclusivity of metal. The final song Hail the Apocalypse illustrates the bands metal chops as the tight guitars are made for headbanging and the song is performed with a gripping intensity.
It is palpable the love the crowd have for this likeable band and it is clear Avatar endeavour to put on a memorable live performance. With a bit more musical variation and less predictable song structures Avatar will likely be selling out bigger venues in the future.
SETLIST: | AVATAR : GLASGOW GARAGE, GLASGOW - 16.01.2019
TAPE: Glory To Our King (Intro)
A Statue of the King
Legend of the King
Paint Me Red
King’s Harvest
Bloody Angel
For the Swarm
Get in Line
Tsar Bomba
Tower
The Eagle Has Landed
Let It Burn
King After King
Reload
Smells Like a Freakshow
Torn Apart
The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country
Hail the Apocalypse