Home » AVATARIUM – “BETWEEN YOU, GOD, THE DEVIL AND THE DEAD” (2025, AFM RECORDS)

AVATARIUM – “BETWEEN YOU, GOD, THE DEVIL AND THE DEAD” (2025, AFM RECORDS)

by Antonis Mantzavinos

Marcus Jidell and Jennie-Ann Smith, the 2 masterminds behind Avatarium (Leif Edling has not been with the band for many years now) have crafted another great album, another piece of great musicianship and inspired art. The band’s sixth album reaches a point where they create a complete and mature piece of music, which personally I cannot wait to listen to it live.

“Beyond You, God, the Devil and the Dead” is a heavy rock, doomy (I am not the most appropriate person to put labels on albums) and gloomy album which is dominated by the charismatic and compelling vocals of Jennie-Ann Smith, but equally from the doomy riffs and guitar pathways set up by the talented Marcus Jidell, and most of the success of the album (and overall the band of course) comes out from the chemistry of those 2. The doomy element is of course all over the record, but glimpses of psychedelia, melodic forms and dark layers add very diverse and interesting elements to the album. For example, on ‘My Hair is on Fire (But I’ll take your hand)’, the intro of the piano and the mellow and beautiful vocals are followed and climaxed with heavy guitars and a dark atmosphere which captivate and conquer the listener. ‘Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other’ start off with a deep, acoustic guitar, and a gorgeous melody that elevates the spirits and brings a folk, nostalgic touch, fitting perfectly to the overall concept and environment of the record. Simply brilliant! ‘Being the Dead’ and ‘Until Forever And Again’ remind us what are Avatarium made off, what are their roots and how they kicked off their discography: Doom. The Hammond organ is matching perfectly the heavy setting and here, we are also reminded of Avatarium’s first album, where that recorded started everything for the band, in their own trademark, doomy and heavy sound. ‘Noted from the Underground’ is an instrumental piece, with an catchy oriental flair, showcasing Jidell’s ability on relentlessly soloing with his guitar, in a slow, epic and dark tone. His natural habitat! Closing is the s/t track, again starting with the piano and the charming vocals of Jennie-Ann Smith, who has done a fantastic work (again and again) with her voice, avoiding anything excessive, any hyperbole, anything unfitting, and just adding her soul and heart to give us an extraordinary performance on her own unique way. Brilliant!

“Beyond You, God, the Devil and the Dead” definitely stands out in Avatarium’s discography as it masters all their trademark elements and characteristics, in songwriting, production, performance, orchestration and everything. I would definitely place it besides the first album of the band (which is my favorite), because it proves by all means that it has all it takes to be a modern and thorough heavy rock record, crafted by some of the finest musicians out there.

9/10

 

by Antonis Mantzavinos

 

Tracklist:

1. Long Black Waves
2. I See You Better In The Dark
3. My Hair Is On Fire (But I’ll Take Your Hand)
4. Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other
5. Being With The Dead
6. Until Forever And Again
7. Notes From Underground
8. Between You, God, The Devil And The Dead

 

 

Avatarium’s Linktree

 

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