Album Review: Avatar - Don't Go In The Forest
“A little late to change my ways, no going back to better days.” Avatar have evolved remarkably from their modest start as a rebellious young band in urban Gothenburg. Today, they are celebrated for spectacular theatrics and a unique blend of exaggerated madness.
Reaching a tenth full-length album is a significant achievement, often marking an artist as a legacy act. However, Avatar continue to defy this by consistently delivering a rich collection of distinctive stories and audiovisual experiences over nearly two decades, showing no signs of slowing down.
In The Forest: A Stark Opening
The album wastes no time grabbing attention. The opening track, “Tonight We Must Be Warriors,” immediately challenges listeners and embodies concerns about the band's new sound direction.
“Tonight We Must Be Warriors” embodies everything I had ever feared about the direction of the Avatar sound.
At their peak, Avatar expertly balanced intense melodic death metal with moments of playful eccentricity akin to bands like System Of A Down.
Author's Summary
Avatar’s tenth album delivers a bold, theatrical experience, though the opening track signals a challenging tonal shift that may polarize longtime fans.