February 1st, Swedish metal band Avatar came to Portland’s Roseland Theater, for an incredible night of music. In support of their most recent album, Hunter Gatherer, the show was a rescheduled appearance after members of Avatar tested positive for Covid earlier in 2021. Of course, the Roseland Theater was in full Covid protocol, diligently checking each persons ID and vaccination/testing status with masks required for all patrons.
Opening up for the night was the mysterious electronic trio Magic Sword. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, Magic Sword had every soul in the venue entranced from the opening note, thrashing and headbanging. The lack of vocals, however, had me a bit disoriented. Time seemed to be standing still, making their forty-five minute set feel like a full two hours. Near the end of the set, you could almost feel the energy in the room shift as the headbanging became less vigorous and the exhaustion became visually apparent.
When Avatar took the stage, it’s as if the entire crowd was replaced by a fresh, fully invigorated new set of metalheads ready to “Hail the Apocalypse”. The center of the venue became a mosh pit, while others pushed their way through to get closer to the barrier. Avatar, ever the showmen, headbanged in perfect synchronization for the majority of their ninety minute set showing the peasants of Avatar Country how it’s done. Avatar staples such as “Let it Burn”, “Paint Me Red”, and “Bloody Angel” made the setlist as well as new tracks such as “Silence in the Age of Apes”, and “Colossus”.
Right around the middle of the set, vocalist Johannes Eckerström made his way to a piano placed just off to one side of the GA floor area to perform “Gun”. It was a poignant moment, a sharp contrast to the outrageous experience he is known for bringing to the stage. But, that doesn’t mean that his quirky, charismatic personality didn’t shine through.
Throughout the set, Johannes talked about various things from how to defeat a demon (you bring a bigger demon), to his affinity to all things Portland. At one point, he talked about how great it is that people bring kids to an Avatar show, saying that parents should encourage their kids to “start a band (don’t go all Joe Jackson about it, though)”.
The personality that each member of Avatar brings to the stage is well worth the price of admission. An Avatar show is more than a concert, it’s a sensory spectacle. Of course, it’s the crushing metal that only this quintet from Sweden can deliver that keeps us coming back.
