AVATAR @ The Rave / Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI
January 20, 2022
Review and Photos by David Urmanski
BAND MEMBERS: AVATAR
Johannes Eckerström – Lead Vocals & Piano
Jonas “Kungen” Jarlsby – Guitars
Tim Öhrström – Guitars
Henrik Sandelin – Bass
John Alfredsson – Drums
Website: www.AvatarMetal.com
Hailing from over 4,000 miles away in Gothenburg, Sweden, theatrical metal masters, Avatar, came a long way to bring their unique brand of progressive metal mayhem to their Milwaukee fan base. In fact, metal reigned supreme Thursday night at The Rave with the highly-anticipated return of Avatar after a nearly four year hiatus since they last performed in Brew City at the 180,000 square foot, seven-level, live entertainment complex in support of their Avatar Country World Tour.
With their latest full album, Hunter Gatherer, released in 2020 and two new, non-album singles “Barren Cloth Mother” and piano-driven “Going Hunting” released in 2021 in advance of their headlining U.S. Going Hunting Tour, Avatar had plenty of new material to share with the crowd of concert-goers to include five new songs of their stimulating 18 song setlist “Silence in the Age of Apes,” “A Secret Door,” “Gun,” “Colossus” and “Wormhole.”
Similar to previous visits, Avatar brought an immortal and mesmerizing intensity to the stage that few acts have conquered and only clown faced-painted frontman, Johannes Eckerström, can consistently deliver in true climactic and charismatic fashion to include a chilling solo performance of “Gun” with a main piano part accompanied by four lines of lyrics executed from the general admission floor with unfenced fans within reach.
Regardless of whether you consider yourself a die-hard metal maniac or just a rock n’ roll enthusiast who enjoys a good show, Avatar fever has spread fast in recent years among the U.S. music-festival crowd as the band has steadily climbed up the ladder to key positions closer and closer to headliner status to include an upcoming scheduled performance at the hard-rocking Shiprocked cruise kicking off this Saturday and their return to the Upheaval Festival this summer.
The band exudes rock n’ roll and their live performance is a must-see with distinct and diverse musicianship and stagecraft as well as a wide array of astounding tracks to back it up. Going Hunting? If it includes Avatar, I highly recommend it!
SETLIST:
Hail the Apocalypse
Get in Line
Silence in the Age of Apes
Bloody Angel
The Eagle Has Landed
Paint Me Red
A Secret Door
For the Swarm
Torn Apart
Gun
Colossus
Let It Burn
Vultures Fly
A Statue of the King
The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country
ENCORE:
Wormhole
Smells Like a Freakshow
We’ll Meet Again (Vera Lynn song)
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THE VENUE: THE RAVE The Rave is a premiere multi-level, multi-venue, entertainment complex conveniently located off highway 94 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin hosting hundreds of concerts each year. The Rave/Eagles Club houses seven venues (The Eagles Ballroom, The Rave, The Eagles Ballroom Club Stage, The Eagles Penthouse Lounge, The Eagles Hall, The Rave Bar, and The Rave Craft Beer Lounge) ranging in capacity from 400 to 4000 people. The Rave/Eagles Club is highlighted by the spectacular Eagles Ballroom featuring an elegant 25,000 square foot dance floor and a stunning balcony that circles the ballroom. From the elegant domed ceiling to the eagle sculptures and intricate trim on the pillars, a concert at the Eagles Ballroom is a truly spectacular experience. Over the past decades, The Rave/Eagles Club has hosted some of the biggest names in rock, pop, electronic, and alternative music as well as many up and coming acts and regional bands from Wisconsin, Illinois and surrounding areas. Address: 2401 West Wisconsin Avenue - Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233 Phone: (414) 342-7283 Website: www.TheRave.com Upcoming Concerts & Tickets: www.TheRave.com/Concert_Tickets Hours: The Rave box office is open 10am to 6pm Monday thru Friday and 1pm on Saturday and Sunday if there is a show. The box office remains open until 10pm on show nights.
