Avatar’s Chimp Mosh Pit tour made a stop in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday, September 24, 2023. The Swedish metal sensation, along with their compatriots Orbit Culture and Detroit’s own The Native Howl, delivered a thunderous performance at the packed Brooklyn Bowl venue. The night was a thrilling fusion of groove metal, death metal, and an unexpected twist of “grass thrash,” a unique blend of bluegrass and metal.
Kicking off the evening was the self-proclaimed “thrash grass” ensemble, The Native Howl. Their performance seamlessly melded thrash metal riffs with the lively twang of banjos. Surprisingly, this unconventional combination worked like a charm, captivating the audience with headbanging, hair-spinning, and powerful growls. The pinnacle of their set arrived when they masterfully mashed up Metallica’s “Harvester of Sorrow” with The Soggy Bottom Boys’ classic, “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” creating a memorable fusion called “Harvester of Constant Sorrow.”
Next up was the Swedish death metal powerhouse, Orbit Culture, who ignited the stage with an explosive intensity that never waned. Starting with “North Star of Nija,” they whipped the crowd into a frenzy that culminated during the third song, “From the Inside.” This led to a frenzy of crowd surfers, resulting in photographers being ejected from the photo pit early. As their eight-song set continued, the audience’s enthusiasm only grew, culminating in swirling circle pits in the middle of the venue, with more and more fans riding the crowd’s wave. By the end of their performance, the audience was ravenous for the main event.
When Avatar took the stage, the crowd erupted in wild excitement. The freak show had begun! Lead vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom displayed his prowess as an expert showman, engaging the crowd with sideshow antics. The band’s stage presence and antics created one of the most entertaining and high-energy performances witnessed. Johannes danced, swayed, contorted his body, and delivered electrifying screams that left the audience spellbound. Guitarists Kungen Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström played in perfect harmony, even engaging in an epic guitar battle that showcased their exceptional technical skills. This led to a surprising highlight of the evening as Johannes emerged from a center-stage gift box, joined by Halestorm’s lead singer, Lzzy Hale! The duo delivered a mesmerizing performance of “Violence No Matter What,” with playful interaction and even sharing a drink from Johannes’ onstage gas jug. Avatar maintained their momentum with a diverse setlist, which included Johannes performing a trombone solo and a haunting piano rendition of “Tower.” Their setlist consisted of 18 songs, including an unheard-of 3-song encore.
In conclusion, the evening was an unforgettable experience. Avatar offers a must-see spectacle for both the eyes and ears, peppered with comical moments from the band. This tour is a must-attend event, but perhaps not suitable for children. The Chimp Mosh Pit Tour sets a new standard for how concerts should be done.
Avatar’s Chimp Mosh Pit tour continues through October 8th of 2023.
For upcoming shows, visit https://avatarmetal.com/#tour
Follow Avatar, Orbit Culture and The Native Howl on their socials below:
Avatar: Instagram // Facebook
Orbit Culture: Instagram // Facebook
The Native Howl: Instagram // Facebook
Photos and Review by Adam Colwell (@pixelsoftheimagination)
