AVATAR @ The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
February 10, 2018
Review by Greg Hamil
Photos by Greg Hamil
THE BAND: AVATAR
Johannes Michael Gustaf Eckerström – Vocals
Kungen – Guitar
Tim Öhrström – Guitar
Henrik Sandelin – Bass
John Alfredsson – Drums
Website: www.AvatarMetal.com
Avatar has performed at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on more than one occasion, but always as a supporting act. On Saturday night, the metal band hailing from Göteborg (Sweden) walked on stage as the headlining act in support of their Avatar Country World Tour 2018. Originally scheduled to play in the smaller “The Rave II” room, they were moved to the larger room “The Rave” due to overwhelming ticket sales. We would learn later in the evening that this performance would turn out to be Avatar’s largest audience to date in the United States as a headlining act, beating the record set just one week earlier in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Having previously seen Avatar as a supporting act with a limited 7 or 8 song set list, I was understandably curious to find out whether they would be able to maintain the high energy performance their fans have come to expect for a full hour and a half set. Needless to say, from curtain drop to the final bows, they did not disappoint. With such a brutal assault on the senses, it makes a person wonder; “Is this a circus?”, “Is this a dark metal show?”, “Is this a hard rock show?”. Well it is all of that and then some!
Avatar set list at The Rave included:
1. Glory To Our King
2. Legend Of The King
3. Paint Me Red
4. Let It Burn
5. King’s Harvest
6. Bloody Angel
7. For The Swarm
8. The King Wants You
9. Puppet Show
10. Tower
11. The Eagle Has Landed
12. War Song
13. Raven Wine
14. King After King (live debut)
15. Reload
16. Smells Like A Freakshow
17. A Statue Of The King
18. The King Welcomes You To Avatar Country
19. Hail The Apocalypse
Avatar poured their heart and soul into each and every song, using all of their energy to give the audience their very best performance. On the same note, the audience poured their energy into the band, inspiring them to reach new levels. By the end of the show, it was not just Avatar the band playing on stage, it was the Avatar family getting together for an evening of musical memories with the guarantee of future family reunions to come!
After seeing this headlining performance by Avatar, I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I can only hope that the next tour brings them to bigger venues and larger than life shows as this band is truly larger than life and worthy of significant praise as Milwaukee will not soon forget. Regardless of where they play, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
CONCERT REVIEW RATING SCALE:
1 = Poor
2 = Average
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
5 = Extraordinary
AVATAR CONCERT RATING: 5
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.comwww.Facebook.com/TheRave 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.
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