Avatar is deep into the creation of their tenth studio album, the follow-up to Dance Satan Dance. As soon as once more produced by Jay Ruston — identified for his work with Anthrax, Metal Panther, and Uriah Heep — the album is predicted to reach in late 2025 through the band’s personal Black Waltz Data, distributed by Thirty Tigers.
In an interview with Vrotherhood, frontman Johannes Eckerström supplied an in depth and introspective have a look at how the album is coming collectively — and what units this one aside. “For me, I set a beginning date round August 2023. I used to be considering subsequent album rather a lot. Additionally, due to touring and life typically, there’s not this big lengthy interval of simply disappearing and writing,” he shared (through Blabbermouth). “So I sort of personally depend on having a bit extra manic durations.”
He described the scattered however targeted nature of the band’s writing timeline: “It was one thing in the direction of the top of that summer time, then a bit round December, January, that yr. Then we did a number of touring once more, and some issues can occur on tour, some actually necessary issues even within the songwriting, however not an enormous quantity of stuff. The large quantity of stuff implies that you get to sit down at house and work in peace and fail in peace, and achieve peace.”
Every band member labored on their very own schedule. “I believe [guitarist] Tim [Öhrström] — properly, he began a bit after me, and [guitarist] Jonas [Jarlsby] actually obtained most of his stuff collectively a lot later,” Eckerström stated. “However, properly, on the finish of the day, all of us climb completely different paths up the mountain, however we nonetheless attain the identical mountaintop.”
Relating to the album’s lyrical themes, Eckerström famous a departure from the acutely aware thoughts and a deeper dive into surreal, dreamlike territory. “It appeared like goals influenced this album far more than they’ve previously, and a few sort of letting one thing unconscious out,” he defined. “And with that come, to a sure diploma, some sort of tackle surrealism.”
Moderately than forcing that means, the band leaned into intuition. “I really feel I fear much less and fewer over time that I’ve to grasp a track instantly whereas writing it,” Eckerström stated. “The place I now have been trusting magnificence, simply the aesthetic of [it]… If the phrases, within the context of the music and every thing I wanna write there, if it feels lovely, it’s in all probability proper.”
Nonetheless, the intention is to speak one thing — even when that message is as lighthearted as a rock cliché. “You continue to need all of this stuff; no matter course of is occurring along with creating the music, it nonetheless additionally must be one thing that communicates and articulates one thing,” he stated. “Even in instances, if it simply articulates, “I wanna rock and roll all night time and get together day by day,” it must say one thing about one thing.”
Some songs take the type of ghost tales, whereas others replicate inward. “Some songs are reflective, introspective in a manner that I do not suppose I’d’ve had the power to do earlier in my life,” he admitted. “‘Trigger that is the opposite factor — at all times, at all times, at all times search for a solution to really feel like a newbie, discover one thing to be enthusiastic about as a songwriter, as a artistic particular person.”
After practically 20 years and 9 albums, Avatar remains to be chasing one thing new. “If we’re one of many few who’re gonna get to do what we do to the extent the place we are able to feed ourselves and our households with it… then I believe that comes with a sure respect in the direction of the folks that you’re making an attempt to drag in,” Eckerström stated. “And likewise a respect for the artwork type, a easy respect for heavy metallic and what which means to us.”
That respect drives the band to evolve — each musically and thematically. “There is a manner of coping with age, demise, change on this album that goes deeper. And I additionally suppose that is an album that has far more of caring about folks,” he stated. “In a manner, there’s some extra romantic components or intimate components and never essentially solely spousal, that sort of love song-ish… It is simply buried within the heavy metallic.”
On the sonic entrance, Eckerström insists followers will nonetheless acknowledge the band. “Musically, it is an Avatar album,” he said. “The large modifications — I really feel I took some big leaps as a singer… not that top heavy stuff, but in addition going again to [someone like Judas Priest singer] Rob Halford.”
He pointed to Halford‘s signature supply for inspiration. “The people who find themselves capable of have a drive and vitality in your mid-range… there’s that drive to. It is the drums and the load of the phrases and all that. And to try this with out screaming your head off, there are moments on the album the place I lastly really feel I did a little bit of that and really feel happy with it.”
Followers can even anticipate some experimentation. “Elements of this album is extra progressive than Avatar has been earlier than, I consider,” he famous. “We did not do [something like the classic] Sure [album] Shut To The Edge — it is not that, but it surely’s one thing. Typically it’s important to cease and rely a bit, and lose your self in {that a} bit.”
From intricate rhythms to heartfelt melodies, the brand new materials is shaping as much as be a diversified combine. “There’s additionally in all probability stuff that [is] probably the most melodic that we now have completed, particularly vocally talking,” he stated. “As a result of the guitars have at all times been primarily melodic. After which we now have among the homicide riffs as properly as a result of we like that.”
And sure — there’s even piano. “So it’s extremely multifaceted in a manner that’s onerous to make sense from a band that is not Avatar. However we are able to do it. And likewise I play piano, in order that was enjoyable.”
