The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — unleashed their latest masterwork Don’t Go in the Forest last year on Halloween; how fitting! Listen and get the album HERE.
Avatar began their touring cycle with a massive North American headline run, with their biggest headline show to date in Mexico City. After North America, Avatar traversed through Europe and then back to North America, wrapping up earlier this month. The American run included stops at Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple, gaining widespread acclaim from US media.
Now, Avatar are back in Europe, winning over the souls of Metallica fans, opening for the juggernaut in four EU cities. And today, Avatar unveil the video for new standalone single ‘Crying Fire’.
‘Crying Fire’ is no throwaway b-side. This is Avatar. The band intentionally withheld the track and decided to strike when the time was right. Fortunately for fans, that time is now.
“Crying Fire’ is very special to all of us. It was written and recorded as part of the Don’t Go In The Forest sessions. When making the final selection for album tracks, this one was a given. But then we started asking ourselves something: What if we saved the best for later? What if we kept this gem away from the world for a while?,” Eckerström explains.
He continues, “It certainly stands tall on its own. I hear a relentless firestorm of emotions. It hits me in a deeply hidden place, and I hope it does the same for you. I could say a lot about what the song is about, but I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better to get out of the way and simply let it be heard for what it is. The best I can say today is that it’s about enduring pain and loving passionately.”
This track is so very… Avatar. As is the band’s newly announced ‘26 tour dates across Europe, and the UK following their return to Australia, and New Zealand.
AVATAR ON TOUR – ‘DON’T GO IN THE FOREST ‘26’:
20/11 — Wolverhampton, England — KK’s Steelmill
21/11 — Southampton, England — O2 Guildhall
22/11 — Cardiff, Wales — Depot
24/11 — Dublin, Ireland — National Stadium
25/11 — Belfast, N.Ireland — Limelight
27/11 — Norwich, England — UEA
28/11 — Newcastle, England — Northumbria Uni
29/11 — Edinburgh, Scotland — Corn Exchange
01/12 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — Gashouder
03/12 — Oberhausen, Germany — Turbinenhalle
05/12 — Budapest, Hungary — Barba Negra Red
06/12 — Prague, Czechia — Sasazu
08/12 — Innsbruck, Austria — Musichall
09/12 — Linz, Austria — Posthof
10/12 — Ulm, Germany — Roxy
11/12 — Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg — Rockhal
12/12 — Zürich, Switzerland — Komplex
13/12 — Frankfurt, Germany — Zoom
15/12 — Padova, Italy — Hall
16/12 — Ljubljana, Slovenia — Cvetlicarna
17/12 — Zagreb, Croatia — Boogaloo
18/12 — Bratislava, Slovakia — Majestic Music Club
19/12 — Wrocław, Poland — A2