Photo credit: Spotify
The evolution of musical genres isn’t always embraced by die-hard fans, let’s say of heavy metal. The early 90’s saw rap, funk, bass and army surplus clothing run headlong into the glam of party-rock. There are now more sub-genres of rock and metal than there are bands. But if talking evolution, then after watching tonight’s main act, Sweden’s own Avatar, then we can start in the 1920’s.
Whatever wrapping paper Avatar are presented in, this is pure Vaudeville for the modern age. A band that in five minutes can deliver the finest Scandinavian black metal via pop music hooks, to frontman Johannas Eckerström appearing on the balcony amid the fans to deliver a trombone solo. But wait, he’s not done. The band segue into the circus-themed track Puppet Show and Johannes is muscling his way into the balcony spotlight that has landed on a young lady and not himself. He is procrastinating until he has the limelight and then whips the crowd into a frenzy. He is making balloon sculptures, which he finally presents to a biker who looks super happy with his new sausage dog. Complete metal madness and everyone is smiling.
Back to the stage and the robotic drummer John Alfredsson angrily directs roadies to build him a new drum kit, meanwhile pointing two shoulder canons at the audience, perfectly sync’d with a bass drum blast and the jam packed 1865 club is showered with streamers. Alice Cooper…..the kids have been paying attention when not in school!
The light show is spectacular as the stage falls under a blood red and the band stands stoically before ripping into Colossus, with perfect choreographed hair whipping.
Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström on dual lead guitars are each as proficient and adept at fretboard acrobatics as Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, and for us fellow guitarists, they encourage us all to give up now and take up golf.
The party had already reached fever pitch by the end of the second song, and almost two hours later the show is drawing to a close. Johannes talks at length of Southampton’s and Avatar’s intimate relationship and drawing on a long sniff of his own armpit proclaims “We smell like a freakshow.” More hair whipping, full blooded black metal riffage and they leave the stage.
The stamping of feet and football chants of ‘AVATAR, AVATAR’ bring them back on as Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again plays over the PA. The band sit on the drum riser as the house lights are fully up and they sing along swaying as if on a cruise liner with the crowd in full voice, along with the club packed with metal heads.
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