AVATAR | Alien Weaponry | Witch Club Satan
Manchester Academy
February 15th 2026
Avatar’s February–March 2026 European and UK run, “In The Airwaves,” is less a concert and more a full-blown metal ritual. Hailed as the band’s most ambitious production to date, this tour fuses extreme music with high- concept theatre, proving Avatar remain one of modern metal’s most visually and musically compelling live acts. Louder Than War, experience a Sunday night in Manchester transformed into a whirlwind of chaos, ceremony and controlled mayhem.
Opening the night are female trio Witch Club Satan (who are Anja Lauvdal, Victoria Erlandsson and Moa Myhr). They inject raw, ritualistic energy into the room, their occult-charged black metal is confrontational yet hypnotic, setting a stark, ceremonial tone for the evening, with a touch of politics thrown in. Bringing high-energy, theatrical Norwegian black metal to the stage, their performances feel immersive, intense and rooted in artistic ritual. With a raw, occult feel and commanding stage presence, Witch Club Satan creates a distinctly bewitching atmosphere that clearly resonates with the crowd. Judging by their reaction tonight, they appeal to both dedicated black-metal fans and curious newcomers alike.
Next to power onto the stage are the brilliant Alien Weaponry, delivering their signature primal presence, culturally charged thrash metal to an already eager crowd. Blending Te Reo Māori and English, the New Zealand trio unleash a savage, monstrously full live sound, unbelievably for just their three-piece setup.
An incredibly tight live band, who incite wild mosh pits, crowd surfing and relentless engagement, combining heavy tribal rhythms with thrash ferocity and Māori cultural elements. Haunting screams and wails keep the audience utterly captivated, while the sense of power and pride behind their performance gives it real emotional weight.
In a moment that perfectly sums up metal culture, one extremely polite metalhead is spotted saying “Excuse me” to a member of staff while handing over a lost item of clothing, explaining that it “got lost in the mosh pit.” Alien Weaponry earn wild cheers for their superb raucous rhythms and ferocious delivery, acting as both a cultural statement and a perfect warm-up for what’s to come.
Then, wow, here they do come. The stage set revealed for Avatar is breathtaking, with incredible lighting, elaborate props, and a drum kit that splits into two moving halves, sliding dramatically across the stage. Formed by John Alfredsson and Jonas Jarlsby as teenagers, later joined by Johannes Eckerström, Henrik Sandelin and Simon Andersson, Avatar delivers an incredible, theatrical performance that fully justifies their reputation as one of metal’s most compelling live acts.
Featuring material from their latest album alongside crowd-favourites like Hail the Apocalypse, this show showcases the astonishing vocal range and magnetic presence of frontman Johannes Eckerström. Set highlights include Captain Goat, The Dirt I’m Buried In, Smells Like a Freakshow, and Hail the Apocalypse. There’s a refreshing balance of raw, primal thrash shrieking alongside melodic singing and harmonies. The musicianship is undeniable, from moments where the drummer conducts mass audience sing-alongs with his drumsticks to Eckerström leaping onto a piano to play a lilting, unexpected tune mid-set.
Unsettlingly beautiful, brutal yet refined, Avatar balance crushing heaviness with theatrical flair, turning metal into narrative-driven performance art. Eckerström’s charisma is off the scale, chatting with the crowd between songs, drawing them deeper into the chaos. The audience refuses to let the band leave, and Avatar tease them with how many songs remain. They return with three final, explosive tracks, finishing amid blinding strobe lights and an explosion of pink confetti, a perfectly surreal conclusion.
This show is an absolute must-see for metal fans. A non-stop, high-intensity spectacle driven by elaborate staging, choreographed lighting, and controlled chaos, it irresistibly draws the audience toward the stage from start to finish. This tour is a carefully constructed metal experience, combining theatrical ambition, cultural intensity and sheer sonic force. Avatar’s 2026 European and UK tour should stand out as one of the most talked-about metal events of the year.
Please note: Use of these images in any form without permission is illegal. If you wish to contact the photographer, please email: mudkissphotos@gmail.com
© Melanie Smith / Mudkiss Photos All rights reserved
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You can find Avatar online here – Website | Facebook | Instagram
Witch Club Satan – Instagram
Alien Weaponry – Instagram
All words by Claire Glover. More writing by Claire on Louder Than War can be found at her author profile here. You can also find her on Twitter
All photos by Melanie Smith – Louder Than War | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Portfolio
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