Year: 2020
Total Time: 45:55
Label: eOne
To set things straight, I like AVATAR. I have been following them since their first baby step, when they were still playing melodic death metal. And I declare that I am a fan of this musical “cartoon” that leads this band from Gothenburg, Mr. Johannes Eckerstrorm, whose madness has managed to lift them up to the top levels of the music industry.
Loyal to their appointment, they release an album every two years during the last decade and so they have reached their eighth work, turning completely away from their previous and utterly successful “Avatar Country”. No so much music-wise but thematically and theatrically. They jumped from the humorous and funny situations to the absolute dark “Hunter Gatherer” and the raw reality they describe. The title of the album refers to the people that hunt what is best for their lives, without realizing the consequences for their future.
An explosive start with “Silence In The Age Of Apes”. Ultrasonic guitar speed and Alfredsson’s drumkit is on fire. A song that reminds us their roots, while the next one, “Colossus”, brings us back to reality. Eckerstrorm’s voice is incredibly theatrical and moves you with every note. “A Secret Door” is probably the best song of this year’s album. Here we find Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT making a guest appearance by whistling the starting melody throughout the song. Peace and chaos alternating beautifully.
“God Of Sick Dreams” and “Scream Until You Make” could be included in any of their recent albums, while in “Child”, Johaness gives another performance singing the dark lyrics. “Justice” and “When All But Forces Has Failed” are probably the most indifferent moments but things get better again with the beautiful and sentimental ballad “Gun”. A song that has butt-kicking lyrics, accompanied only by piano. In the end, “Wormhole”, with unbelievable riffs, show why it is difficult to put a label on the band from Sweden.
One of the biggest merits of AVATAR all these years is their unchanging composition. Kungen (the king in “Avatar Country”) and Ohrstrom are doing their best on the guitars, while Alfredsson sound more mature than ever on the drums. As for Eckerstrorm, we have already said it before. A Leader. Jay Ruston’s flawless production (SLIPKNOT, ANTHRAX, ARMORED SAINT and others), who they trusted once again after the outstanding “Avatar Country”.
So, what do AVATAR play? It is surely not melodic death metal like their first two albums. Since 2009’s “Avatar” onwards, it is impossible to categorize them as they have the ability to change constantly. Maybe they fit in the general sub-category of nu-metal. “Hunter Gatherer” is a remarkable endeavor with many good moments that promotes them even more.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Nikos Vlachos
Related Link: AVATAR – Official Page
