As with every AVATAR show I've seen, the performance was full of surprises designed to shock and amaze your senses. Frontman Johannes Eckerstrom, ever the showman, made a dramatic entrance by popping out of the box holding a single red balloon, reminiscent of a disturbing, mid-century Jack-in-the-box clown. His presence was immediately commanding, as he stood before the mesmerized audience, exuding the charisma of a ringmaster conducting a metal circus.

The rest of the band soon joined in, adding to the intensity of the performance. Guitarists Tim Ohrstrom and Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson seamlessly fell into their roles, each contributing to the overwhelming energy that filled the venue. Together, they created an unforgettable experience that was equal parts theatrical and musically powerful, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Eckerstrom, scepter in hand, ceremoniously marched across the stage, occasionally flashing the crowd a wild-eyed grin. The guitarists, with their long hair whipping in perfect unison, added to the visual spectacle that developed before us. AVATAR delivered a captivating seven-song set, featuring hits like "The Dirt I'm Buried In", "Dance Devil Dance" and "Smells Like a Freakshow". The set reached its peak with a powerful performance of "Hail the Apocalypse", leaving the audience in awe.

Setlist:

• "Beware of the Clown" (THE DAMNED song) Intro
• "Dance Devil Dance"
• "The Eagle Has Landed"
• "Valley of Disease"
• "Bloody Angel"
• "For the Swarm"
• "The Dirt I'm Buried In"
• "Smells Like a Freakshow"
• "Hail the Apocalypse"

The sound of a brewing storm could be heard as clouds of fog billowed out from behind a white drape embellished with the image of a large black widow spider. When the barrier fell to the floor, the shape of vocalist Maria Brink could be seen standing atop her altar, a wooden door frame structure. She wore an elaborate white mask adorned with a mystical facial shape garnished with crown-like spikes. She wore a translucent, long-sleeve flowing white gown that permitted the light to envelope her like a celestial goddess. To her side were two enchantresses cloaked in white bodysuits and hauntingly similar masks. The remainder of the band members then took their places on the stage. Guitarists Chris Howorth and Randy Weitzel flanked either side of Maria and her maidens. Kent Diimmel was engulfed by his massive drumkit in the back corner of the stage (luckily my daughter and her bestie met him for a photo while he was working the merch table after the show). Bassist Travis Johnson and his trademark half-face mask was noticeably absent from the band as he understandably continues to grieve the loss of his wife, Michelle, after recently losing her courageous battle with aggressive breast cancer.

ITM started their meager 7-song set with recent radio singles, "The Purge" followed by "The In-Between". As they proceeded through their nineteen-year discography, the sound and theatrical performances were stellar. Maria and the Blood Girls interacted with each other throughout the show, their movements synchronized as if they were one. With every few songs, Maria would emerge in a new ensemble that was tailored perfectly to the theme of the track and indicative of her attire in the accompanying video. Unlike many of my previous ITM experiences, Maria spent much of the time near her pulpit in the center of the stage, beyond the reach of her adoring fans. The setlist consisted of many great songs including "Blood" and "Sex Metal Barbie".

At the conclusion of "Big Bad Wolf", the band left the stage. Moments later, Maria's voice could be heard over the speakers. "Tsk, Tsk" she said. The audience belted out a collective scream. "Tell us! What would you like to hear?" The crowd knew the assignment and belted out a single word, "Whore!" With a flash of red lights, the stage flooded with fog and a podium tagged with the word whore sat in the center of the stage. Maria took her place at the top of the podium in her iconic dunce cap. She interacted with the crowd, waving her yardstick as if she were conducting a symphony. As the song played, the dancers changed from handmaid bonnets and dresses into white bodysuits and began leaping around the stage. Giant balloons filled the air and pink and white confetti rained down on the audience as it blasted from cannons. In keeping with tradition, at the end of the song, the entire band took their place at the front of the stage, thanking everyone for their attendance with one final bow.

The concert left me craving more, particularly because the co-headliner, with such an extensive and celebrated catalog, only performed a 7-song set. While the songs they chose were great, it felt like the setlist barely scratched the surface of what they could have delivered. Notable hits like "Sick Like Me" and "Adrenalize" were glaringly absent, which was a major disappointment. These are fan favorites that really showcase their energy and talent, and their omission left a noticeable gap in the performance. Given the depth of their discography, a longer set would have allowed for a more comprehensive experience, capturing the full range of their music. Instead, I was left feeling that the performance, while enjoyable, didn't fully represent what they're capable of, and I couldn't help but wish for just a few more songs to truly complete the night.

Setlist:

• "The Purge"
• "The In-Between"
• "Blood"
• "Sanctify Me"
• "Sex Metal Barbie"
• "Big Bad Wolf"
• "Whore"

As the minutes passed, fog could be seen seeping from under the shroud that hid the stage. When the curtain finally dropped, a massive red-faced grim reaper wielding a dagger engulfed the back of the stage behind the drum kit. A woman carrying a walkie-talkie ran into our view, warning us of the danger that was about to unfold before us. Zombies lumbered through the fog as the crowd roared. Before us flourished a spectacle straight out of a slasher flick, complete with clothing racks displaying bodies in clear bags flanking the stage. The band was dressed in preppy, collared white shirts and khakis splattered with blood. Spencer sported a pair of dark-lensed black Ray-Bans and a single black glove on his left hand.

From start to finish, the set was non-stop energy. While belting out vocals, Chamas eluded stalking zombies, sparred a chainsaw wielding ghost, and effortlessly disemboweled would-be attackers. We witnessed highlights of our favorite classic horror movies come to life right before our eyes set to the soundtrack of INK. While the 14-song set played on, the audience was consumed by the theatrics that unfolded on stage. Songs like the REEL BIG FISH collaboration "Walking On Sunshine", "IT Is The End" and "Welcome To Horrorwood" sounded technically perfect, almost as if they were right off the album. As the show came to an end, the night's gory stage props became treasured keepsakes as they showered the mesmerized audience.

Setlist:

• "Savages"
• "Hip to Be Scared"
• "Ex-Mortis"
• "Wurst Vacation"
• "A Grave Mistake"
• "Rainy Day"
• "Opening Night"
• "Welcome to Horrorwood"
• "The American Nightmare"

Check out some more photos from the show!
All Photos By Breezy Bird Photography