Avatar

Originating in Gothenburg, Sweden, the melodic death metal outfit Avatar came together in 2001 and achieved significant domestic breakthrough via their fourth and fifth full-lengths, Avatar in 2009 and Black Waltz in 2012. Between those records the group unveiled the theatrical identity that would become their signature, as frontman Johannes Eckerström adopted a Joker-ringmaster hybrid persona surrounded by jester-like bandmates; the striking visual helped establish their international profile, and Eckerström retained the aesthetic through the arrival of 2023’s Dance Devil Dance.

The project began when drummer John Alfredsson and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby parted ways with Lost Soul, recognizing that the prior group had stalled their ambitions, and regrouped under the Avatar name. After linking up with Eckerström the nucleus solidified, then bassist Henrik Sandelin and guitarist Simon Andersson completed the lineup in 2003, enabling the recording of the debut demo Personal Observations. While promoting that material through live shows, the band tracked the 2004 EP 4 Reasons to Die; its release opened the door to their first performances beyond Sweden. During sessions for a debut album they secured a contract with Gain Records, resulting in the 2006 release Thoughts of No Tomorrow, which was followed by European support runs alongside Impaled Nazarene and Evergrey plus two concerts with original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno.

Equally packed, 2007 opened with Avatar opening for Stone Sour and closed with the October arrival of Schlacht; the following year they supported Obituary, then issued their self-titled third album in 2009. The next two years brought relentless touring, including a maiden U.S. trek, before Eckerström first appeared onstage in Helsingborg, Sweden, on 29 October 2011 wearing the now-iconic unhinged Joker visage. Shortly afterward Simon Andersson departed, succeeded by guitarist Tim Öhrström, who also contributed backing vocals. Black Waltz arrived in 2012, reaching number 25 on the Swedish chart, while 2014’s Hail the Apocalypse marked the band’s first Billboard 200 entry. Their sixth album, the conceptual Feathers & Flesh, emerged in 2016, centered on an owl declaring war on humanity; Avatar Country followed in early 2018, produced by Jay Ruston and featuring the singles “A Statue of the King” and “The King Wants You” plus the band’s reinterpretation of the Swedish royal anthem “Glory to Our King.” Their debut live set, The King Live in Paris, surfaced the next year. Returning to the studio with Ruston in 2020 yielded Hunter Gatherer, issued late that year. In 2021 the members established Black Waltz Records, the imprint that released Dance Devil Dance in 2023, which includes a duet with Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale.