The theatrical Swedish metal band
Avatar's seventh LP,
Avatar Country (eOne), is a conceptual love letter to rock and the titular King who rules over the land. Featuring ten tracks that each have "King" in their titles,
Avatar Country is packed with melodic guitar heroics and frontman Johannes Eckerstrom's piercing vocals. Produced by
Jay Ruston (
Stone Sour,
Anthrax,
Steel Panther), highlights include the pummeling "King's Harvest," the two-part epic "Silent Songs of the King," and "Glory to Our King,"
Avatar's take on the Swedish royal anthem. ~ Neil Z. Yeung