Live Review: Avatar – Age of Illusions

2021 has been a rough start for live music. Many countries have been forced back into lockdowns meaning gigs are still a distant dream. However, if you are a metal fan, it’s not all doom and gloom. Avatar had 4 streams planned for January and week 1 was amazing, to say the least. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been excited for this weeks show all week. Age of illusions consists of a fan-voted mix of songs from the albums “Avatar Country” and “Feathers & Flesh”

Yet again before the stream started we were greeted to fans chanting the band’s name to get in the gig mood. The stream started with Johannes on his grand piano and opens up the show with ‘Regret‘ leading straight into ‘House of Eternal Hunt‘. The band were in Feathers and Flesh attire in front of the classic Avatar circus sign. Once again the band sound incredible right from the get-go. Each instrument’s level was mixed to perfection. The virtual crowd wasted little time before getting there singing on. It seems that the band decided on a few more options for camera angles for this show. A wider array of shots and smoother transitions made for a nice subtle improvement.

Tim started playing the intro to ‘The Eagle Has Landed‘ as the band walked over to the LED screen stage in a slightly comical strut. This fan favourite was bound to get the crowd going crazy in the chat and the virtual mosh was on. This was the songs second appearance on the Ages streams and its clear to see why. The band’s energy throughout the song was incredible and matched the crowd’s enthusiasm towards it.

Avatar wasted little time before blasting us with ‘New Land‘. So far we had the first 4 songs from Feathers & Flesh in order. ‘New Land‘ is always an impressive song to hear in a live setting, due to the constant changes between vocal styles. Johannes nailed it on the night. The use of multiple kits was great to see again and allowed the band to get the diverse sounding beats you hear on the record.

Next came ‘Tooth, Beak & Claw‘. The band teased the song slowly before Johannes unleashed the words “This little beast went out in the world” The door stage set returned and almost made for a studio esc feel for this song. Johannes’ eccentric dance moves and facial expressions helped to create the sinister tone the songs lyrics try to portray. The guitar solo in this song sounded incredible and the abrupt outro was executed amazingly.

Continuing down Feathers & Flesh in chronological order, we are gifted ‘For the Swarm‘. The second outing for this song impressed me. The level of energy the band put into it this time seemed much more impressive than in the last show. However, the short length of the song means it’s over before we could really get into it and an extended gap followed.

During the gap between songs, we saw John testing out all three of the kits as if to find which one he thought sounded best. All of a sudden the drum intro to ‘One More Hill‘ assaulted the fans and the band immerge from the darkness to play. Unfortunately, the lack of an actual crowd left a lot to be desired from this song. The virtual crowd were calling for the pits that would have made this song feel just as brutal as it was.

Johannes spoke to the crowd to welcome them to the show before going on to introduce ‘Black Waters‘ in an extremely cryptic way. The virtual crowd were obviously waiting for this one as they completely lost it once they realised what song it was. A song that is rarely played live anymore by the band surprisingly as it may have been the best sounding song of the night. Capturing the eerie feeling Feathers & Flesh went for perfectly; ‘Black Waters‘ was certainly the hidden gem of the show.

‘Night Never Ending’ started with a drum fill rendition of the intro before the band join in to create the over-the-top sound we all know and love. The band were in full swing at this point and the usual onstage shenanigans were present throughout the song. Whether it was the synchronised swaying from side to side or Johannes drinking from his gasoline canister. The song made me wish I was there. Johannes constantly pointed the mic to the camera in the chorus to encourage the virtual crowd to sing along. An extremely wholesome moment.

Johannes was once again sat on his grand piano as he read a passage from the Feathers & Flesh book. We cut to the band back at the LED stage who started playing ‘When The Snow Lies Red‘. This was the first time the band had played this song since 2017 and the virtual crowd were ecstatic when they heard it. The deep cuts from these shows are sure to get any Avatar fan headbanging all night long. Considering the number of songs the band would have had to learn again for this show, the lesser-played songs almost sounded better than the songs we are used to hearing from them. Creepy, eerie and dark. A perfect blend for Avatar!

Speaking of Creepy, eerie and dark, The next song was ‘Raven Wine‘. Johannes comes back with a unique raven mask, hat thing. I don’t think anyone else would have been able to pull it off but somehow he did. The stage theatrics from Johannes helped to make this song stick out from the rest. One of the more memorable moments from the show. All be it a bit strange.

After what was an unusual song, to say the least, we were sent for an interval. The Feathers & Flesh section of the shows was something to behold. the songs are just old enough to be classed as deep cuts and helped to make that section of the show feel special.

Yet again we found ourselves with Johannes on his grand piano as he welcomed the fans back and urged everyone to stand for the Avatar Country national anthem before performing a lounge-style rendition of ‘Glory to Our King‘ before King Jonas shredded the intro to ‘Legend of the King‘.

Sat on his throne while fireworks went off behind him, He looked badass! The band were now in full Avatar Country attire and it felt like it was the start of a completely separate show. Jonas’ guitar was equipped with a go pro on the headstock which made the solos in this song look outstanding. A cool perspective that was absent from the previous show.

The art of performance is not lost on Avatar. The king was pushed over to the LED stage by loyal servants before rising in front of the Avatar country flag. ‘The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country’! The foolish sounding tune sounded even better than last week. The band seemed far more comfortable with the whole live-streaming thing this week and it shows in the energy given to each song. The virtual crowd could not get enough of the bands constant encouragement for crowd participation. Johannes made a big deal about the fact Tim had cut his hair and the crowd couldn’t help but lose it.

The King handed his guitar to one of his loyal servants before walking over to the band as they bowed for him. His crown was placed onto a silk pillow before his guitar was returned to him. Que ‘A Statue of the King‘. The level of intensity in the newer songs seemed unreal compared to last week. Johannes doesn’t fail to amuse in a live setting and his over-the-top dancing and expressions continue to make Avatar stand-out live.

The virtual circle pit was in full force for this one. ‘Kings Harvest‘ was up next. Despite sounding incredible the song suffered from not having the fans there to show just how powerful of a song it truly was. Never the less Avatar were still able to make the virtual crowd snap there necks to the monstrous chorus.

Johannes explained the fact that the stream was named illusions because the two albums the set was made of where written in fiction. He then explained how the fans made Feathers & Flesh real and that the fans made Avatar Country a real place before teasing ‘The King Wants You‘. An awesome display from the lighting crew that switched focus between both Tim and Jonas to accompany the intro was then followed by an empowering performance. Not to mention the best part of the whole set, the cowbell!

Returning to the door stage, Avatar came out with ‘King After King‘. A less intense song to settle the mood it seems. Throughout the song, you got a sense of how dedicated Johannes was to the characters he portrays on stage. From intense stares to joyous dances. In the outro of the song, Johannes thanked the fans for coming out before the band left King Jonas on his own to wave goodbye to his people. A humble yet abrupt way to end the stream.

Overall, Avatar seemed a lot more comfortable performing to the cameras this week. Yet again the songs were mixed beautifully and the lighting made the show. Avatar continues to make a case for themselves for being one of the best live bands around. From the intensity of the show to the joyous nature of the band’s on-stage antics, they are almost unmatched. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Age of Madness next Saturday. A fan-voted set from the albums Black Waltz and Hail The Apocalypse is sure to have some gems in it. If you haven’t already, be sure to get yourself tickets to the remaining shows here!

Setlist:

Regret
House of Eternal Hunt
The Eagle Has Landed
New Land
Tooth, Beak & Claw
For the Swarm
One More Hill
Black Waters
Night Never Ending
When The Snow Lies Red
Raven Wine
Glory To Our King
Legend Of The King
The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country
A Statue of the King
Kings Harvest
The King Wants You
King After King