AVATAR’s Johannes Eckerström Says BILL WARD’s Drums Made BLACK SABBATH’s “Iron Man” The “Greatest Song Ever”; Audio

Avatar’s Johannes Eckerström joined the Thunder Underground podcast for Episode #90.

Johannes talked about what went into writing a concept album, and if he thinks they will do it again down the line. He talked about how diverse their fan base is, and that nothing ever seems too crazy when writing. He also wondered how they made it onto American radio since most songs all sounds standard, but said he obviously doesn’t mind it.

He talked about drumming, and mentioned Bill Ward’s drums is what made “Iron Man” the “greatest song ever”. He also talks about touring with Helloween, and how cool it was since it was one of his favourite bands growing up. He talked about growing up in Sweden, and talked about the Swedish music culture of most kids learning an instrument at an early age, and as you get older rehearsal space is available for free – when asked why every band in Sweden seems to be great.

The Johannses interview starts at the 32:00 minute mark:

Avatar have unleashed another visually stunning music video, with longtime director Johan Carlén at the helm, for their next single, “Night Never Ending”.

“It’s is a special song, being probably the most upbeat and, dare I say, happy piece we’ve ever released,” says frontman Johannes Eckerström. “But under the surface of the fragile message of hope and fighting spirit it is little more than a prelude to a tragedy and that is what we set out to capture when we decided to make a video for it.

“It is very close to my heart for being the one video where there is no “rocking out” going on and we get to capture a side of Avatar that is just as integral as the good, headbanging times we love sharing with our supporters all around the world. There are few things in this world as beautiful and fascinating as contrasts and this is what all of Feathers & Flesh is all about. Hope and tragedy.”

Avatar has announced a European headline tour this fall. The band will hit the road in November and December to promote their groundbreaking latest album Feathers & Flesh which was released via Another Century in May.

Dates:

November
21 – Belfast, UK – Oh Yeah Music Centre
22 – Dublin, UK – Voodoo Lounge Dublin
23 – London, UK – O2 Academy Islington
24 – Liverpool, UK – O2 Academy Liverpool
25 – Glasgow, UK – O2 ABC Glasgow
27 – Oxford, UK – O2 Academy Oxford
28 – Sheffield, UK – O2 Academy Sheffield

December
2 – Milano, Italy – Legend Club Milano
3 – Lyon, France – Ninkasi Kao
5 – Paris, France – Trabendo
6 – Strasbourg, France – Laiterie La
7 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Doornroosjee
8 – Ludwigburg, Germany – Rockfabrik
9 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Club
10 – Berlin, Germany – Musik & Frieden
13 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
14 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
16 – Goteberg, Sweden – Sticky Fingers