Not to be confused with the movie about blue-skinned aliens or the beloved Nickelodeon animated fantasy series, Swedish heavy metal band Avatar is nonetheless just as elaborately conceived and presented, with an entire mythology around the idea of Avatar Country, the title of the band’s 2018 album, which depicts a world commanded by a ruler known only as the King, with his own national anthem and hymns to his glory. The band has embraced increasingly over-the-top theatrics since debuting with a more streamlined melodic death metal sound in 2001, and these days Avatar’s music is more radio-friendly and accessible even as its concepts become more baroque.
Avatar’s live performances showcase the same grandiosity as the band’s albums, with frontman Johannes Eckerström in harlequin-style costumes and face paint and guitarist Jonas “Kungen” Jarlsby as the King character from Avatar Country. The Avatar live extravaganza was recently captured on the album The King Live in Paris, but of course nothing compares to experiencing it in person. “I view myself as a performing artist, and the stage is our main canvas,” Eckerström told Consequence of Sound as the band prepared to launch its latest tour. Avatar vibrantly fills every bit of that canvas.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 5:30 p.m. June 15, starting at $26 plus tax and fee. 702.632.7600
