Avatar - Avatar Country | Review

One of the best Avatar albums to date. Viewer discretion is advised - contains some absolute bangers!!

Avatar at Download Festival 2018

Seeing and hearing Avatar for the first time at Download Fest "18 is something I can never regret! They truly added atmosphere and it was a great first act for the weekend. Even as someone who had never heard of them, I couldn't help but be engaged.

“There are humorous aspects such as the track ‘The King Speaks’, which, without spoiling anything, definitely doesn't soil the album.”

Avatar Country is the newest edition to the Swedish heavy metal band Avatar’s collection of metal albums. Each album has an intriguing theme such as Black Waltz being carnival themed, Avatar Country is aptly named with it being themed on a Monarchy. The album sees a progression of a short time in ‘Avatar Country’ where the vocalist, Johannes Eckerström, is interacting with the King. In their live production this role is played by their lead Guitarist, Jonas Jarlsby. After assessing their previous six albums briefly, I can honestly conclude that Avatar Country is definitely the most interesting and well-made one so far. The album consists of incredible vocals and breathtaking guitar pieces. Eckerström’s screams breach his usual capacities and proves his excellence while Jarlsby’s very quickly earns his title as ‘King’ in this album. There are humorous aspects such as the track ‘The King Speaks’, which, without spoiling anything, definitely doesn't soil the album. The influence of the funnier parts of Avatar Country was definitely the make or break of the album, and in this case, it certainly makes it. Amongst some of the heavier parts, particularly in The King Wants You track, there are very happy more jazzy and upbeat guitar styles that adds the extra personality to the album that simply adds to the intriguing nature of it. Overall the album was absorbing and I can’t help but become addicted to Avatar Country the second a single song is put on, my favourite being A Statue Of The King. I’d give this album an 8/10 for how incredibly enticing it is however I can see Avatar bringing out some more amazing music.