At the peak of retromania in the early 2000s, heavy metal brazenly nosedived into its back catalog. Dividing those enchanted by nostalgia from others frustrated at what they perceived as a lack of willingness to push forward. Raising a recurring question; does heavy metal need to be saved? Some think so, Avatar among them.
Their recently released ninth album, ‘Dance Devil Dance’ looks to inject movement back into metal. To dismember the “shut up and sit down” spectator quality they feel it has come to share with opera and ballet. Like punk did with its “F**k Art, Let’s Dance” philosophy.
On Saturday evening, at The O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, Avatar played an amazing set with Veil Of Maya and Mastiff as support acts. Filled with bubbles and outfitted with Bieber Extinction Fund donation boxes, the O2 Forum saw Avatar unleash their own brand of chaos onto their loyal Irish following. And it was exhilarating to behold.
Here are some of the killer moments of the evening:
GALLERY: OBITUARY, CONJURER and CELESTIAL SANCTUARY Live at Electric Ballroom, London
GALLERY: DREAM THEATER and ARION Live at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London
GALLERY: GOJIRA, ALIEN WEAPONRY & EMPLOYED TO SERVE Live at Alexandra Palace, London
GALLERY: NAPALM DEATH, DROPDEAD and SIBERIAN MEAT GRINDER Live at Akvarium Klub, Budapest
