On May 4th, Avatar brought their dark, theatrical spectacle to Mars Music Hall, joined by Fleshgod Apocalypse and Frozen Soul. The evening unfolded in a way that wasn’t just a run of the mill concert, it felt like a descent into something far more immersive, where each band built on the last to create a night of controlled chaos and overwhelming energy ranging from old school metal, symphonic metal, and a melodic death metal that shook the roof of the Huntsville venue.
Frozen Soul opened the evening with zero pretense. Their brand of old-school death metal hit hard and fast, leaning into thick, chugging riffs and a relentless low-end that immediately brought the room to life! There’s something refreshing about their simplicity, they have no theatrics other than the skulls littered across the stage, no gimmicks, just brutal, unfiltered heaviness. As an opener, they did exactly what they needed to do: set the tone and get the crowd moving early. This isn’t to say they didn’t address the crowd or take a moment to breath, as frontman Chad Green took a minute to use his platform to tell his story about the death of his brother and how important it is to take care of yourself and your mental health. It was a very real moment during a very heavy set.
Fleshgod Apocalypse followed with a dramatic shift in atmosphere. Where Frozen Soul dealt in raw brutality, Fleshgod Apocalypse delivered something far more cinematic, opening up with breathtaking spotlights on the impressive Veronica Bordacchini’s opera solo. Once the rest of the Italian symphonic death metal members took the stage, they filled the venue with layers of orchestration, blast beats, and operatic vocals that felt massive in a live setting. The contrast between beauty and aggression was magical to say the least as Huntsville, Alabama rarely gets treated to the wonderful world of symphonic metal, and their performance carried a sense of controlled chaos that pulled the crowd deeper into the experience. It wasn’t just heavy or operatic, it was grand on a massive scale.
Then came Avatar. From the moment Johannes Eckerström and crew took the stage by being ferried out on a platform that brought to mind Charon ferrying the dead to the underworld, the energy shifted again, this time into something theatrical and commanding. One might say the freakshow had arrived. Avatar doesn’t just play songs, they create a world. The crowd was treated to a dark carnival and even a king on his throne, and lots of swirling hair! Blending elements of metal, performance art, and dark humor, their set felt like a twisted carnival brought to life. Eckerström moved effortlessly between eerie storyteller and charismatic ringmaster, holding the crowd in the palm of his hand between every song. Musically, the band was just as tight and dynamic as ever, moving between crushing riffs and melodic moments without losing momentum, which is impressive given the amount of hair swirls and movement they continuously do on stage. The setlist struck a strong balance between fan favorites and newer material, each song feeding into the larger narrative of the performance. There was never a lull, just a constant build of energy that kept the crowd engaged in the chaos from start to finish.
The Don’t Go Into the Forest tour delivered a powerful and well-balanced lineup that showcased three very different approaches to modern metal, all executed at an intense level and giving fans a night to remember. Avatar didn’t just headline, they transformed the entire night into a circus that everyone was a member of. If you want a freakishly good time, do not miss this tour when it comes near you!
Avatar’s Don’t Go Into the Forest tour continues through May 20th of 2026.
For upcoming shows, visit https://avatarmetal.com/#tour
Follow Avatar, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Frozen Soul on their socials below:
Avatar: Instagram // Facebook
Fleshgod Apocalypse : Instagram // Facebook
Frozen Soul: Instagram // Facebook
