Photo Credit: Johan Carlén
It’s been over two years since Avatar released their last studio effort, Dance Devil Dance, and the Swedes have returned with a new collection of songs to thrill us with. This new album comes at a perfect time given the band’s penchant for costumes and theatrics, as on this All Hallows’ Eve, they warn us: Don’t Go In The Forest, for we might find something waiting there for us.
From its first note to the last, this tenth album deserves its 31st October release date. Opener Tonight We Must Be Warriors greets us with military style whistles and marching drums before a triumphant chorus comes to usher us into battle, as it were – a perfect track to start a gig with, by the way. Meanwhile, Captain Goat ditches the military costume for that of a viking/lumberjack, what with its rowing song chorus (which reminded this reviewer of the opening number in Disney’s Frozen, funnily enough).
Elsewhere, Abduction Song sees the band showcasing their brutally heavy side, while the pre-chorus and chorus flip a coin between warning us to “not go out, it’s dangerous” and inviting us to “come out and play,” pulling a page from classic horror movies left and right. The Halloween mood continues once again on Dead And Gone And Back Again, with its orchestration throughout, haunting melodies, and Johannes Eckerström’s manic laughter during the guitar solo.
Title track Don’t Go In The Forest almost reminds one of Ghost and their ‘80s sounding songs, thanks to the synths padding out the background of this song, but it still retains the usual elements of a great Avatar song, from the melodic solo section, to Henrik Sandelin’s rumbling bassline that kickstarts the track. Its immediate successor, Death And Glitz, also has some of that ‘80s salaciousness come through in its lyrics, which read like they could’ve been taken out of a KISS track that’s equally horny and sadistic (“I like you more like this, a tragedy with tits”). Having said that, it still remains a sonic highlight on this album.
Meanwhile, Howling At The Waves sees Eckerström showcase his piano playing once again, on a lush, softer track that ends up being a storytelling and lyricism standout. Magic Lantern also significantly slows the rhythm down, from the barrelling barrage of booming riffs and drums into a trotting number which gets you bobbing your head, instead of full-on headbanging. Don’t worry, though, there’s plenty of guitar and drum brutality left in Take This Heart And Burn It and In The Airwaves: while the former sounds like the song of a villain that’s out for revenge (especially with its surprise violin solo), the latter sees its chorus soar in contrast with its crushing verses. It’s also a perfect showcase of John Alfredsson being a force of nature when it comes to double-bass drum playing.
All in all, while the second half of the album drags a bit compared to the first five songs on offer, Avatar’s Don’t Go In The Forest is a highly entertaining ride that’s perfect for Halloween. Tack så mycket for another fun one, lads!
8.5/10
Standout Tracks: Tonight We Must Be Warriors, Captain Goat, Don’t Go In The Forest; Death And Glitz
For Fans Of: In Flames, Amon Amarth, Insomnium
Written by: Florin Petrut
