Interview by Angela Croudace
If you like your heavy music served with a massive side of absolute, unadulterated chaos and a theatrical bite, then grab yourself a slice of the dance floor and brace your necks. The Swedish metal visionaries collectively known as Avatar are finally making their way back Down Under, and trust me when I say this is shaping up to be one of the absolute heaviest and most anticipated spectacles of the entire year.
Renowned across the globe for their legendary performances, ludicrous levels of musical skill, and a seemingly endless catalogue of killer anthems, Avatar have long been your favorite metal band’s favorite metal band. We are talking about a group so highly respected that Iron Maiden routinely invites them out on tour, and the late, great Vinnie Paul once claimed that Dimebag Darrell himself would have been jealous of their monstrous guitar riffs.
Ever since Avatar stormed their way onto the international circuit, these guys have refused to follow the traditional rules of engagement. They smashed their way onto the charts with the universally acclaimed Dance Devil Dance, and they are continuing that streak of pure creative madness with their latest dark masterwork, Don’t Go in the Forest. Their single Death and Glitz is a perfect example of what makes this band so special. It is a track fueled by crushing grooves, hypnotic hooks, and a uniquely perverted, detached sense of storytelling that only Avatar can deliver.
For Australian audiences, these upcoming live dates are not just regular rock shows; they are an invitation into an entirely different, beautifully twisted universe. This is a band that commands the side of the stage at every major European and American festival, with members of metal royalty standing by just to watch them work their magic. Now, it is Australia’s turn to step inside the circus tent and experience the sonic violence firsthand.
HEAVY grabbed the ultimate opportunity to sit down with the band’s enigmatic, charismatic frontman Johannes Eckerström. In true Avatar fashion, we went completely down the garden path to talk about the preparation behind their chaotic live assault, the creative evolution of their newest material, what it feels like to bring their signature blend of death and glitz back to local soil, and why Australian fans can no longer be denied.
So turn the volume right up, check out the full chat below, and make sure you grab your tickets NOW before they vanish.
AVATAR 2026 Australian and NZ Tour Dates
Wednesday 26th August ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Friday 28th August MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Saturday 29th August SYDNEY, Manning Bar
Sunday 30th August BRISBANE, Princess Theatre
Tuesday 1st September AUCKLAND, Powerstation
https://thephoenix.au/avatar-2026/
