ALBUM REVIEW: Dance Devil Dance – Avatar
You’d think with the amount of tasty tour support slots the band have been handed lately, that AVATAR would be more of a household name. It’s an even bigger surprise to note that Dance Devil Dance is their ninth studio album. The Swedish rockers still look like they’ve been spat out of the Big Top, but as intriguing as their look is, can the music match?
The album starts with the stomping title track that thunders along with an almost country-sounding tinge. Its main riff is perhaps a tad repetitive but thankfully it’s broken up by a solid chorus in which vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom channels his inner Rob Halford. It could be argued that this track is the baby brother of live favourite Hail The Apocalypse. Proceedings get heavier from here with the chunky Chimp Mosh and the frenetic Valley Of Disease. The latter shows off the heavier aspect of Eckerstrom‘s vocal arsenal. There are some synths dotted around during this track to shake things up, especially before the final drop. Chimp Mosh features the first real acknowledgement of the chops of the guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Ohrlstrom, specifically towards the track’s conclusion.
For those unfamiliar with AVATAR, On the Beach will be the first ‘Wait…what?’ moment due to the stylistic alterations in the pre-chorus. The band have never been one to stick to a certain genre or sound – sometimes to their benefit but other times it’s their downfall. Going from the mostly unrelenting Do You Feel In Control? to the almost SOIL-esque Gotta Wanna Riot is incredibly jarring. Obviously knowing what the band looks like, it’s safe to assume they don’t take themselves too seriously. But this one is an easy skip.
The 80s pop swing of The Dirt I’m Buried In is a better example of how the band expand their repertoire. It’s a welcome break from the earlier onslaught but it’s actually a well-written and infectiously groovy number. It’s easily one of their most catchy tracks to date and is a perfect choice for a single. It also features a fantastic rock-out solo before the final chorus. Then, without any warning, we’re thrust back into their heavier sound with the stomping Clouds Dipped In Chrome. Eckerstrom sounds quite unhinged throughout. Who’d have thought? He looks like such a normal bloke. Seamlessly flipping from all-out screaming to crazed singing, he certainly has one of the most unique voices in the game.
A self-proclaimed ‘Metal Circus’, the band make no mistake in including the crowd in their songs. There are always chances to chant along to moments within the album. Hazmat Suit is one of those that is crying out for crowd participation, and it feels like it would be more suited to a live environment. It swirls and swirls just like the vortex of concert goers that would be pitting to this track.
Just when you think you’ve heard it all on Dance Devil Dance, Johannes suddenly morphs into Nick Cave on the bluesy left turn, Train. This train eventually derails into chaos during the middle section rather than keeping you chilled during story time in the verses. The album ends on a high note with the powerful Violence No Matter What. It features vocals from the seductive human air raid siren that is Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM fame. It’s already an epic number but the addition of her vocals just adds that extra kick up the arse that this track needed.
Dance Devil Dance is AVATAR being AVATAR. It’s groovy, it’s heavy, it’s frantic, it’s weird. They don’t hide that they love to throw a lot of ideas in the pot to see what people like the taste of. Some tracks hit while others flop but overall it’s another solid album from a hard-working band who are still in that pursuit of super stardom.
Rating: 7/10
Dance Devil Dance is set for release on February 17th via Black Waltz Records.
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