Avatarium – Between You, God, the Devil and the Dead
AFM Records
8,5/10,0
Brief:
Masters of melancholic heavy metal since 2013, Avatarium are a unique and formidable musical force. Originally formed as an extracurricular project by Candlemass legend Leif Edling, the Stockholm-based doom mavericks have since evolved far beyond their roots and become one of the most creative and unpredictable hard rock bands on the planet. Now led by real life partners, vocalist Jennie-Ann Smith and guitarist Marcus Jidell, Avatarium have continued on their singular journey and grown even more powerful along the way.
Recorded in Stockholm at DeepWell and The Cave Drumstudio, and mixed by Marcus Jidell, Between You, God, The Devil & The Dead continues Avatarium’s journey towards desolate, soul-drenched perfection. Darker and heavier than their most recent work, it delves back into the crushing but mellifluous doom of their earliest works, while expanding their compositional vision to include everything from ethereal torch songs to thunderous, psychedelic hard rock.
In contrast with the legions of doom purists, Avatarium have always been open to the evolution and expansion of their sound. Between You, God, The Devil & The Dead is the most potent expression of that liberated mindset to date. Musically rich and adventurous, the new songs are also the most poignant and emotionally vital the Swedes have written to date.
Tracklist:
- Long Black Waves
- I See You Better In The Dark
- My Hair Is On Fire (But I’ll Take Your Hand)
- Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other
- Being With The Dead
- Until Forever And Again
- Notes From Underground
- Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead
Main Focus Tracks:
- Long Black Waves
- I See You Better In The Dark
Other Recommended Tracks:
- My Hair Is On Fire (But I’ll Take Your Hand)
- Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other
- Being With The Dead
Line-Up:
Jennie-Ann Smith (Vocals)
Marcus Jidell (Guitars)
Andreas Habo Johansson (Drums & Percussion)
Mats Rydström (Bass)
Comments:
With Between You, God, the Devil and the Dead, Avatarium offers a varied and engaging album, somewhere between melodic hard rock and progressive metal. Undoubtedly one of the best of its kind at the start of this year.
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Selected Discography:
Avatarium – 2013
The Girl with the Raven Mask – 2015
Hurricanes and Halos – 2017
The Fire I Long For – 2019
Death, Where Is Your Sting – 2022
Between You, God, the Devil and the Dead – 2025
Photo Credit: Niklas Palmklint