Late this past January doom metal band Avatarium released its latest album, Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead. The band’s sixth album, it was released through AFM Records and is the band’ second for the label behind 2022’s Death, Where is Your Sting. Composed of eight songs, the record is certain to appeal primarily to the band’s established audiences and to more casual doom metal fans. At the same time, there is a slight show of growth from the band in its musical styling. Case in point is the album’s second entry, ‘I See You Better’ in the Dark.’ The album’s title track/finale also shows that growth. It will be discussed a little later. ‘Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other,’ the album’s midpoint, is another example of that growth. It will also be discussed later. Each song stands on its own merits. When the trio is considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead an intriguing addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums that is sure to appeal to a very specific audience.
Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead, the latest album from Avatarium, is a presentation that will find the majority of its appeal among the band’s established audiences and casual doom metal fans. This is evidenced throughout the majority of the band’s new album. At the same time, the band has shown some growth and change again this time out. One example of that growth and change comes early in the album’s run in the form of its second entry, ‘I See You Better In The Dark.’ The band’s doom leanings are there, but at the same time audiences get a clear 80s hair metal influence in this track. The bluesy, fuzzed guitar line couple with front woman Jennie-Ann Smith’s vocal delivery to make this song immediately stand out.
On top of that distinctly different stylistic musical approach is the song’s lyrical content. In the case of this song, the lyrical theme is left to interpretation as Smith sings, “I have had a strange premonition/I put my ear to the ground and carefully listen/It might be nothing at all/It might be everything/Might be the deadness/Of all this repetition/We’ve been here before/But I see you better in the dark/I don’t need any light/Fear kindle not/A doubtful spark/I see you better in the dark.” This definitely has a doom-esque emotional vibe, as if the dark is a metaphor for seeing only the negative in a person. This is only this critic’s interpretation. That seeming topic pairs with the song’s musical arrangement to make the song in whole a unique touch to this record.
Another notable addition to Between You, God, The Devil and the Dead is the album’s finale/title track. Featuring Smith, a gently flowing piano line and subtle string accompaniment, there are moments of doom here, but at the same time, the song comes across as a sort of 80s power ballad. It is another distinct change of sound and style for the record. The mournful tone that the whole takes is certain to tug at any listener’s heart strings.
The song’s lyrical content seems to pair well with that pained musical arrangement as it seems to focus on a person trying to escape the past, with all of its negative memories. At the same time Smith reminds listeners that while “Time heals nothing/It’s not your fault.” She notes that what is in the past is, as the title states, “Between you, God, The Devil and The Dead.” This richly emotional work is sure to reach so many listeners because, again, both lyrically and musically it is not that doom metal for which the band has come to be known. It is just one more example of what this latest offering has to offer audiences.
One more example of that offering comes in the form of the album’s midpoint, ‘Lovers Give a Kingdom To Each Other.’ The song’s musical arrangement is of interest what with its country western type guitar line. The bluesy, soulful approach and its depth give the song its own unique identity totally separate from so much of the album’s other content. The whole makes for plenty of reason for audiences to check out this song and the album in whole. Add in the fact that the song’s lyrical theme seems to be one focusing on that all too familiar topic of the need for human connection. That is just this critic’s interpretation. If in fact that is the case, then it is presented in its own unique fashion that to that end, is certain to engage audiences in its own way. Keeping that in mind, this and the other songs examined here work with the rest of the album’s entries to make the whole of Avatarium’s new album worth hearing at least once whether among established audiences or more casual doom rock and metal fans.
Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead, the latest album from Avatarium, is an interesting new offering from the veteran doom metal outfit. The record’s interest comes through the growth and change exhibited at points throughout the album. That is proven through the songs examined here. When those songs are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole therein makes the record in whole a unique, intriguing addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums that will find the majority of its appeal among the band’s established audiences.
Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead is available now through AFM Records. More information on the record is available along with all of Avatarium’s latest news at:
Website: https://avatarium.se
Facebook: https://facebook.com/avatariumofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_avatarium
