AVATAR / KK'S Steel Mill, Wolverhampton UK - 22/02/2023

It's a night of firsts this evening - Our first gig back after an extended hiatus, first gig shooting for ourselves and the first time at KK'S Steel Mill in Wolverhampton. Whew!

We are here to shoot the ever entertaining, Avatar. Hailing from Sweden, the band have just started touring to promote their latest offering " Dance Devil Dance".

I can't pretend to not be bricking it at this point, its been at least 7 years since either myself or Rob set foot in the photo pit - but it soon became apparent that not a whole lot has changed, and it all came flooding back with ease - I was 'home' again.

Avatar's entrance to the stage was nothing short of "explosive", kicking things off with title track 'Dance Devil Dance'. The theatrics are like nothing I have witnessed prior - Frontman, Johannes Eckerstrom makes good use of the whole stage and certainly garners full attention from the room. Two additional tracks from the latest album, 'Valley of Disease' and 'Chimp Mosh Pit' rouse the crowd further. It's a dangerously 'fun' atmosphere.

Speeding through with 'Bloody Angel' and 'The Swarm' there is some impressive synchronised head banging from Tim Ohrstrom, Jonas Jarlsby and Henrick Sandelin. It gets even better when for 'Puppet Show' we are treated to some balloon animals courtesy of the Ring Master Extraordinaire, as he appears on a bar at the side of the room, we are also treated to a trombone solo! Amazing audience engagement from this band.

The evening continues with further favourites, 'Let it Burn' , A Statue of the King' and the incredible 'The Dirt I'm Buried In' , all the while keeping the crowd captivated. Closers this evening are 'Smells Like a Freakshow' and 'Hail the Apocalypse'.

Avatar have been thoroughly enjoyable to witness this evening, what a gig to start back on, honestly. Incredible music, theatrics and engagement. Personally, I am looking forward to catching them at Download Festival in a few months, after their tour takes them through Europe and onto the USA.

A solid 10/10 for Avatar.

Words and photos - Jude

For more photos hit the link below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/droppedhalo