Avatar just released a new album, their tenth, to unite the freaks again. As a “burning beacon for the misfits and rebels,” Dance, Devil, Dance is here! Avatar set out to create an album that breaks through the barrier that heavy metal camps get stuck in, whether they’re stuck in the past, or forgetting the most important ingredient to metal: being in touch with the devil. The band is adamant with this album to give back what they’ve received, and with Dance, Devil, Dance it mirrors the madness of the circus of this world.
The album starts off with title track, “Dance, Devil, Dance” with a church bell reminding me of “Hell’s Bells” and melting guitar licks. It showcases Johannes’ range with his gutteral vocals, then his classical and belting voice as the song perfectly ranges from a heavy rhythmic metal to a more melodic tunes. If there was ever a formula for a perfect metal song, this one follows it with its pattern changes in vocals and instrumentals and even in the rhythm.
“On the Beach” has some Ozzy inspirations in the chorus, it sounds like the Prince of Darkness is with them in the vocals! I also loved the mythology right away in the first few lines talking about jumping in the ocean with the sirens, and the almost mandoline sounding rhythms gave it a madhouse vibe to it.
“Violence No Matter What” is a duet with metal queen, Lzzy Hale. It’s the perfect duet as she’s able to match Johannes’ screams and belting lyrics.
I was listening to “Train” trying to figure out the song about the Tennessee cop, especially when it opens with “there’s a man riding this train with a black white car slipper and a shoe…” come to find out, slow, bluesy/voodoo-ey wasn’t about anything happening in the news today, but it’s about some mystical figure, an angel of death type figure. I think it’s my favorite song on this album with the story telling, the bluesy rhythm, mixed with the evil metal chorus.
Avatar never disappoints the metal world, and this song is going to be BANGING on stage. Keep up to date with future show dates, and get their new album on their website, avatarmetal.com.
Tracklist:
Dance, Devil, Dance
Chimp Mosh
Valley of Disease
On the Beach
Do You Feel In Control
Gotta Wanna Riot
The Dirt I’m Buried In
Clouds Dipped In Chrome
Hazmat Suit
Train
Violence No matter What
