2025 has proven a pivtoal year metal's madcap collective in Avatar.

Recently issuing their tenth full length studio album, Don't Go In the Forest, the arrival of arguably the band;s most ambitious artistic achievement was augmented the confirmation of a slate of stadium dates supporting Metallica on the M72 World Tour. This, in addition to be selected to join the mighty Iron Maiden as part of the Run For Your LIves World Tour. 

Along with being paired with such prestigious company, the Swedish collective has commenced their own 2025 run of headlining dates with the In The Airwaves U.S. jaunt.  The trek kicked off with their biggest headlining show to date with a Halloween night arena event at the Pepsi Center in Mexico City, Mexico. Setting the bar for the run into the domestic United States, Avatar has been on a tear, leading an immersive, imaginative journey built into the compositions of Don't Go Into the Forest. 

For the Southern California stop of the US run, Avatar emerged amid a blue hue, leading the fans at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium into murky waters with epic, "Captain Coat". Part sea shanty, part heavy metal odyssey, the steady, towering track begin an enduring ride that played out over the course of some 18 tracks spanning the band's storied career. 

Crafting a setlist witn a comprehensive rotation, new anthems like "In the Airwaves" and "Death and Glitz" made the cut, with essentials from the band's backed catalog just as prevalent in the presentation. "Blod" from Black Waltz, "Colossus" from Hunter Gatherer and a haunting piano melody with Johannes Eckerström on "Tower" from Hail the Apocalypse were among the several highlights on the night that further cemented Avatar's reputation for stunning theatrics and a live showcase second to none. 

Prior to the band's forceful encore finale, Avatar lead the charge with a rendition of "Tonight We Mist Be Warriors" that galvanized the fans as if they were collectively marching into battle. The anthemic track proved a powerful punctuation on the night - though there was an additional blitz still left to unleash. 

For the band's encore, Avatar unloaded three of their most revelrous selections going back-to-back-to-back with "Dance Devil Dance," "Smells Like A Freakshow" and "Hail the Apocalypse". The three-song finale proved an emphatic final act, underscoring the performative spectacle that is Avatar live. Playing to the fans and leaving everything onstage, the Swedes soared on the In the Airwaves tour in a way that positions them both masters of their craft and the best in show. 

See the gallery of images from the Southern California tour stop below. The remaining dates of the In the Airwaves Tour can be found below. Get tickets - HERE

All images by Maurice Nunez. 

AVATAR

ALIEN WEAPONRY

SPIRITWORLD