Feathers & Flesh
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Feathers & Flesh is the upcoming sixth studio album by the Swedish metal band Avatar, scheduled for release on May 13, 2016. On March 3, 2016 pre-order information was released on the Avatar official site. The first single, For The Swarm, was released as a reward for those pre-ordering the album on iTunes. A music video of this single was also released.[1]
Background
After several tours supporting 2014's Hail the Apocalypse, Avatar entered the studio in December 2015 to begin recording a then unnamed follow-up studio album. The band split their time between three European studios — Castle Studios in Rohrsdorf, Germany, Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland and Spinroad Studios in Lindome, Sweden. Acclaimed producer Sylvia Massy, noted for her work with Tool and Red Hot Chili Peppers, praised Avatar as 'relentless', noting singer Johannes Eckerström as having 'wild energy and charisma'. The start of recording sessions also coincided with multiple updates via the band's Instagram account, chronicling their time in the studio.[2] Once recording finished, Avatar took part in Shiprocked 2016, then toured the southern United States with September Mourning and Saint Diablo.[3][4] On January 30, 2016 in Dallas, Texas, Avatar performed the song For The Swarm, for the first time, the first original song since the release of their previous album.[5]
The February/March 2016 issue of Revolver interviewed Eckerström, who described the concept behind the latest album.
It's about this owl who goes to war against the world to prevent the sun from rising. It's a fable inspired by the work of the famous French fable writer Jean de La Fontaine, so the creatures in the fable represent a side of the human psyche or different behaviors. Something good or bad happens to them depending on what they do in the story, and at the end you learn some kind of lesson.
On February 29, 2016, Avatar began posting random images on their Instagram, referencing the date '3.3.16'.[6] The images turned out to be the cover art for the album when put together. Avatar further teased it's fans to listen to SiriusXM's Octane at 4 pm on March 2, 2016.[7] This turned out to be the broadcast premier of For The Swarm. On March 3, 2016, Avatar revealed the name of the new album, Feathers & Flesh via their official website, and through social media.[8][9] A release date of May 13, 2016 was also announced, as well as several pre-ordering merchandise bundles that would be available to order on March 17, 2016. One bundle offers a 60 page, 109 verse poem hardcover book described on the band's Facebook as 'a story too extensive for any booklet'.
Music Video
Avatar released a music video for the single, For The Swarm on March 3, 2016. Directed by longtime collaborator Johan Carlén, it features the band portrayed on a series of cubes rotating on an axis. The cubes reveal themselves to form several objects, such as that of a wasp, the Avatar logo, and finally, spelling out the word SWARM.[10] The Swarm has been the name the band has given to it's fan base.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Regret" | 2:01 |
| 2. | "House of Eternal Hunt" | 4:58 |
| 3. | "The Eagle Has Landed" | 5:01 |
| 4. | "New Land" | 4:31 |
| 5. | "Tooth, Beak & Claw" | 4:25 |
| 6. | "For the Swarm" | 1:54 |
| 7. | "Fiddler’s Farewell" | 4:57 |
| 8. | "One More Hill" | 4:13 |
| 9. | "Black Waters" | 5:38 |
| 10. | "Night Never Ending" | 3:32 |
| 11. | "Pray the Sun Away" | 5:30 |
| 12. | "When the Snow Lies Red" | 5:16 |
| 13. | "Raven Wine" | 4:36 |
| 14. | "Sky Burial" | 6:54 |
| Total length: | 63:26 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 15. | "I’ve Got Something In My Front Pocket For You" | 1:17 |
| 16. | "Det Är Alldeles Försent" (It's Far Too Late) | 3:08 |
| Total length: | 67:51 | |
References
- ^ "Avatar Announce 'Feathers and Flesh' Album Details + 'For the Swarm' Music Video". Loudwire.com. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Avatar Begin Recording for 2016 Studio Album". Loudwire.com. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Avatar, September Mourning, and Saint Diablo U.S. tour dates". metalnerd.net. 2015-12-21. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ "ShipRocked 2016 – Day 2: Seether, Hellyeah, Avatar + More". Loudwire.com. 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Avatar Perform New Song "For The Swarm" Live". metalanarchy.com. 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Avatar Official Instagram". instagram.com. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Avatar Official Facebook". facebook.com. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Avatar Official Website". avatarmetal.com. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Avatar Announce 'Feathers and Flesh' Album Details + 'For the Swarm' Music Video". loudwire.com. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Avatar Announce 'Feathers and Flesh' Album Details + 'For the Swarm' Music Video". loudwire.com. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-03-04.