Avatar Brings the In the Airwaves USA 25' Tour to The Union Event Center

Swedish melodic death metal act, Avatar, brought their signature freakshow to Salt Lake City this past weekend on the ‘In the Airwaves USA 25’ tour.  Their chosen venue, The Union Event Center, was transformed into a fog drenched circus tent of metal and madness that welcomed the citizens of Avatar country for a night of shared musical experiences. 

 

The band opened with a haunting eerie approach as the stage setup was parted, allowing the band to slide forth on the stage clothed in cloaks and hoods, circled by fog and only a single lantern lighting the way.  As the band settled, they exited one by one taking their places as they started the night off with the new song “Captain Goat” from the new album ‘Don’t Go into the Forest.  From here on the Avatar put the foot on the pedal, never letting up through the show as they tore through a set of new music and fan favorites.  Songs like “Tonight We Must Be Warriors,” “Howling at the Waves” and “Death and Glitz” received the same reaction as setlist regulars as fans shouted the words back at the band. 

 

In true Avatar form, the stage played a part in the show also becoming an interactive set for the band.  The lights and drum kit would part ways allowing the band to disappear and reappear at times in different costumes for the show. It also allowed for a fitting entrance for the throne to float forward to the cheers of the crowd as the band played “Glory to Our King” and “Legend of the King” as fans gave some of the nights loudest reactions. 

 

After the main set the band disappeared into the darkness leaving the venue buzzing with anticipation and the calls of the fans for one more song.  Fans chanted and raised their voices until Avatar returned to the stage, at which point the venue was drowned out with the cheers welcoming them back.  Avatar did the fans better than the one song they called for as the performed a three-song encore of “Dance Devil Dance,” “Smells Like A Freakshow” and “Hail the Apocalypse” sending the venue into a final frenzy of mosh pits and headbanging.

 

After the show fans left the venue excited and with emotions high after witnessing one of Avatar’s best performances to come to Utah.  They didn’t just visit Salt Lake City this time, they transformed it, giving fans a night of spectacle, emotions and pure metal catharsis.