Swedish metallers AVATAR will release their new concept album, “Feathers & Flesh”, on Friday, May 13 via Another Century in Europe and Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and Canada.
The first official radio single from the CD, “The Eagle Has Landed”, can be streamed below.
“You’ve heard Owl’s hunting hymn. Now it’s time for Eagle’s mission statement,” says AVATAR lead vocalist Johannes Eckerström. “Just as he crashes into the world of his adversary, we will come crashing into your lives, screaming at the top of our lungs.
“We’re still very early in the story and without giving away too much, I can say that things are about to change rapidly.
“The riff is a towel, the melody is water and y’all are about to get boarded. Have fun!”
The aim is set higher, further and deeper than ever before for AVATAR. Not only is this concept album their most extensive work to date, showing the widest range of any of their albums, it also contains a story too extensive for any booklet, so they made a book. A fully illustrated 60-page, 109-verse poem hardcover book. The physical album pre order, book, and exclusive merchandise is available now.
AVATAR’s music video for the new song “For The Swarm” can be seen below. Directed by longtime collaborator Johan Carlén, the clip pegs itself firmly into the upper echelon of stunning visual masterpieces the band has grown accustomed to producing. “For The Swarm” is also available as an iTunes instant gratification track, meaning fans who pre order the album will get the track as an instant download.
“Feathers & Flesh” was recorded in Germany, Finland and Sweden in December 2015 with producer extraordinaire Sylvia Massy (SYSTEM OF A DOWN, TOOL, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS).
“AVATAR is an amazing band,” said Massy, adding, “The singer has the wild energy and charisma I love, and the players are relentless. The album we’re making is an epic. Each song powerfully stands on its own, but is only a piece of a larger story. This album is the project I’ve been dreaming about for years!”
The music is as always, rooted in the extreme, with plenty of melodic sensibility and a lust for experimentation. There is a love for intense double bass drumming, riffing and shredding of timeless dimensions alongside rough edges, slow grooves and epic storytelling for the ages. The idea is that as the band digs deeper, the fists will be held up higher. The end result is a modern metal album with all the ruthlessness and power one could ask for handled with a loving songwriter’s hand, inspired by THE BEATLES and QUEEN.
“Feathers & Flesh” track listing:
01. Regret
02. House Of Eternal Hunt
03. The Eagle Has Landed
04. New Land
05. Tooth, Beak & Claw
06. For The Swarm
07. Fiddler’s Farewell
08. One More Hill
09. Black Waters
10. Night Never Ending
11. Pray The Sun Away
12. When The Snow Lies Red
13. Raven Wine
14. Sky Burial
Source: Blabbermouth
