With Metallica now shifting focus to their upcoming Las Vegas Sphere residency after completing another U.K. and European leg of the M72 tour, the band has taken a moment in a article to thank one of their openers for “raising the bar” on the road with them as reported on Loudwire
Being invited to support Metallica is an honour in itself but having the metal giants offer such enthusiastic public praise must feel surreal. Metallica have never shied away from championing their tour mates, yet in the case of Sweden’s AVATAR, the compliment lands as a testament to the band’s stagecraft and the visual theatre that has defined their twisted, carnival?like musical universe for more than two decades.
And we’ve even heard back from frontman Johannes Eckerström after he saw the kind words Metallica offered.
In a carousel photo post on Instagram, Metallica showcased Avatar in their element onstage, writing:
”Ringmaster Johannes and the Swedish madmen from @avatarmetal brought something completely new to the #M72 stage. Every night felt like a spectacle. Massive thanks for raising the bar and keeping crowds across Europe and the UK on their toes!”
Excited about Metallica’s complimentary words, Avatar are beaming with pride and issued the following response to Loudwire:
”Metallica has always been an inspiration, so sharing those stages with them and having them recognize what we bring as a band, is something we will always be grateful for. They’ve set the standard for live performance for generations and hearing them say that we brought something new to the M72 stage and helped raise the bar means the world to us. This last month has been a wild ride and we’re incredibly grateful for every moment. London marked our final show supporting @metallica on the M72 World Tour. What started as a wild, untouched opportunity soon became memories we will carry forever. We leave this run grateful, inspired, and proud to have been a part of it. To each and every one of you who watched, listened, sang along, or discovered us somewhere along the way, THANK YOU.”
AVATAR AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR
Australia… you thought they forgot! They did not. They waited. They sharpened their claws. They let the forest grow wilder, darker, hungrier. Three years is a blink in eternity, yet long enough for the trees to learn your secrets. Now they return not as visitors, but as conquerors. Bring your torches. Bring your madness. Bring your soul laid bare.
Step into the woods and let The Clown paint your face with fire. Do not go in alone… because once you enter, you never truly leave.
In 2023, when we declared AVATAR one of the greatest live metal bands on the planet, some were incredulous. Then Australia witnessed the crushing the band delivered. Dance Devil Dance hit #1 on the iTunes Rock and Metal Albums Charts (and #6 across all genres), and the doubters vanished.
Now AVATAR return with the triumphant release of their tenth studio album, Don’t Go In The Forest, continuing their legacy of crushing riffs, soaring hooks, masterful songwriting and shadow-soaked storytelling.
Australia prepare to pledge your allegiance. The reckoning has arrived.
AVATAR 2026 Australian and NZ Tour Dates
Wednesday 26th August ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Friday 28th August MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Saturday 29th August SYDNEY, Manning Bar
Sunday 30th August BRISBANE, Princess Theatre
Tuesday 1st September AUCKLAND, Powerstation
Tickets On Sale Now From: https://thephoenix.au/avatar-2026/
