The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — unleashed their latest masterwork Don’t Go in the Forest last year on Halloween — how fitting!
AVATAR began their touring cycle with a massive North American headline run, with their biggest headline show to date in Mexico City. After North America, Avatar traversed through Europe and then back to North America, wrapping up earlier this month. The American run included stops at Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple, gaining acclaim from Ultimate-Guitar and RockFeed. Now, AVATAR is back in Europe, winning over the souls of METALLICA fans, opening for the juggernaut in four European cities.
Today, AVATAR unveil the video for new standalone single “Crying Fire.” Watch it here:
“Crying Fire” is no throwaway b-side. This is AVATAR. The band intentionally withheld the track and decided to strike when the time was right. Fortunately for fans, that time is now.
“‘Crying Fire’ is very special to all of us. It was written and recorded as part of the Don’t Go In The Forest sessions. When making the final selection for album tracks, this one was a given. But then we started asking ourselves something: What if we saved the best for later? What if we kept this gem away from the world for a while?,” Eckerström explains.
He continues, “It certainly stands tall on its own. I hear a relentless firestorm of emotions. It hits me in a deeply hidden place, and I hope it does the same for you. I could say a lot about what the song is about, but I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better to get out of the way and simply let it be heard for what it is. The best I can say today is that it’s about enduring pain and loving passionately.”
AVATAR tour dates:
EUROPE:
November 20, 2026 – Wolverhampton, England – KK’s Steelmill
November 21, 2026 – Southampton, England – O2 Guildhall
November 22, 2026 – Cardiff, Wales – Depot
November 24, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland – National Stadium
November 25, 2026 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Limelight
November 27, 2026 – Norwich, England – UEA
November 28, 2026 – Newcastle, England – Northumbria Uni
November 29, 2026 – Edinburgh, Scotland – Corn Exchange
December 1, 2026 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Gashouder
December 3, 2026 – Oberhausen, Germany – Turbinenhalle
December 5, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra Red
December 6, 2026 – Prague, Czech Republic – Sasazu
December 8, 2026 – Innsbruck, Austria – Musichall
December 9, 2026 – Linz, Austria – Posthof
December 10, 2026 – Ulm, Germany – Roxy
December 11, 2026 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
December 12, 2026 – Zürich, Switzerland – Komplex
December 13, 2026 – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom
December 15, 2026 – Padova, Italy – Hall
December 16, 2026 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Cvetlicarna
December 17, 2026 – Zagreb, Croatia – Boogaloo
December 18, 2026 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Majestic Music Club
December 19, 2026 – Wrocław, Poland – A2
SUPPORTING METALLICA — SUMMER 2026:
June 11, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskás Aréna
June 19, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
July 5, 2026 – London, United Kingdom – London Stadium
ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL DATES — 2026:
June 7, 2026 – Trondheim, Norway – Trondheim Rocks
June 20, 2026 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting
June 26, 2026 – Oslo, Norway – Tons of Rock
July 2, 2026 – Ballenstedt, Germany – Rockharz Festival
July 3, 2026 – Donauinsel, Austria – Donauinselfest
August 8, 2026 – Gdańsk, Poland – Rockowizna Festival
August 15, 2026 – Sulingen, Germany – Reload Festival
August 22, 2026 – Göteborg, Sweden – Göteborg Brinner
AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND DATES — 2026:
August 26, 2026 – Adelaide, Australia – Lion Arts Factory
August 28, 2026 – Melbourne, Australia – Northcote Theatre
August 29, 2026 – Sydney, Australia – Manning Bar
August 30, 2026 – Brisbane, Australia – Princess Theatre
September 1, 2026 – Auckland, New Zealand – Powerstation
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.