Hi and welcome to Behind The Noise!

Incomparable. This is how our last concert visit can be described. We had the honor and were allowed to accompany the metal circus Avatar for one evening, which had pitched its tents in the Essigfabrik Cologne. For the release of their new album "Dance Devil Dance" the band went on a European tour, together with bands like Veil Of Maya as well as Kassogtha, who we also had the chance to meet on this evening. Numerous fans from the area made a pilgrimage to the Essigfabrik and stood close together not to miss this show.

And we once again in the midst of it.

The next band, Veil Of Maya, left off with an energetic performance and kicked off with one of their most popular songs, "Viscera". The band was obviously really up for their performance, the way they were already wobbling across the stage during the first song. Accordingly, the first mosh pit of the evening was not long in coming and Veil Of Maya went one better by constantly goading the crowd to keep going. From "Godhead" to "Nothing Left Eternity" the band presented their versatile sound of progressive, metalcore as well as alternative metal, so that especially fans of the band got their money's worth. Those who didn't know Veil Of Maya got to hear a wide range of their skills, where one or the other chorus surely still stuck. Then as fast as they had come on stage, so it went to the end.

It didn't take long before the lights went out and the shouts for "Avatar" became louder and louder. Then drummer John appeared first and started his performance. As if his arms were the hands of a clock, he began and attracted the looks and cheers of the audience. Gradually, the other members appeared on stage, accompanied by a small pyro show that stretched to the left and right of each member. Of course, we as well as everyone else were in absolute ecstasy and were even more happy when the first notes of "Dance Devil Dance" sounded. Avatar were totally in their element and used every single inch that the stage offered. For the gig itself, they had set up stage elements in the back, similar to a small city, which they used for their show. Their drummer was in the back on a pedestal

and also brought the band even closer than they already were. In addition to their flawless performance, Avatar was also convincing musically and added another layer to this successful evening. It went on with songs like "Bloody Angel", which were sung along by the whole hall, to songs like "Puppet King", where Johannes unceremoniously appeared at the other end of the hall to blow up a balloon animal. When we thought that this could not be topped anymore, he started playing the trumpet. Awesome! In the circus of Avatar everything is possible, so that the magic act, in which Johannes got out of a small gift box, didn't surprise us anymore, but still amazed us. Of course, guitar solos were not to be missed here: During the song "Do You Feel In Control?" there was a guitar battle

"Without you it's bullshit with you it's everything."

We were simply blown away by Avatar that night and it's one of those concert experiences we'll be talking about for a long time. From beginning to end, Avatar put on a show that simply picked up every single person in the Essigfabrik. An absolute insider tip that we can only recommend to you.

So my Immortals: Metal is back. Let's listen to "Smells Like A Freakshow" for now.