Avatar have been finding new ways to reinvent themselves over the last few records and their latest- Don’t Go in the Forest.
Many people see Avatar as just a heavy metal band, but there’s so much more to them than just that. “Tonight We Must Be Warriors” opens the album with a colonial, revolutionary heavy metal march anthem while “In the Airwaves” is what you might expect from Avatar- a visceral adrenaline-pumper.
“Captain Goat” is a dark, brooding, pounding anthem while title track “Don’t Go in the Forest” is a fast-paced, bass-heavy and catchy-as-hell anthem that could easily be the band’s next huge hit.
“Death and Glitz” takes the evil disco theme that Static-X created and expands on it. It’s heavy but funky at the same time and you’ll dance-mosh through the entire song.
“Howling at the Waves” is yet another standout track on the record, taking a completely different approach than we’ve heard from Avatar in that it’s mainly just a piano and singer Johannes Eckerstrom showcasing his vocals in a way that we rarely get to hear from him. It’s not dark, it’s just beautiful.
“Dead and Gone and Back Again” and “Take this Heart and Burn It” are just plain fist-pumping, head-banging metal greatness and could easily find their way into the setlist while “Magic Lantern” closes out the record in dominant fashion.
In the end, Don’t Go in the Forest sees Avatar continue to keep things fresh and new. They venture into new areas like they did on Dance Devil Dance and many of the tracks could become live show staples.
10 records in and Avatar have really found what works for them and are hitting their stride en route to becoming one of the biggest metal bands in the world. Don’t Go in the Forest is dark, haunting, theatrically gorgeous and Avatar at their best.
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards