Published: June 5, 2026
The Swedish metal band release a standalone track from the ‘Don’t Go In The Forest’ sessions while extending international touring through Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and major 2026 festivals
AVATAR have released the official video for “Crying Fire”, a standalone single recorded during the sessions for the band’s latest studio album “Don’t Go In The Forest.”
Rockum previously covered Avatar’s recent album cycle through Avatar Drop Video for New Single 'Captain Goat' - Announce Fall 2025 Headline Tour, which introduced another chapter in the band’s ongoing visual and musical world.
The album was released last year on Halloween, and the new song arrives as the Swedish band continues an extensive international touring cycle that has already included North America, Europe, major festival appearances, and upcoming support dates with Metallica.
Although “Crying Fire” was recorded during the “Don’t Go In The Forest” sessions, the band chose not to include it on the final album sequence. According to vocalist Johannes Eckerström, the decision came from the feeling that the song could stand on its own and be released at a later moment.
Eckerström described the track as one connected to emotional endurance, pain, and passionate attachment, while also noting that he preferred to let the song speak for itself rather than over-explain its meaning.
The video continues Avatar’s established visual language, built around theatrical imagery, dark storytelling, and the band’s distinctive identity as one of modern metal’s most visually recognizable acts.
“Don’t Go In The Forest” continued Avatar’s long-running interest in theatrical world-building, character-driven presentation, and heavy music shaped by atmosphere as much as by riffs.
Rather than releasing “Crying Fire” as a leftover track, the band frames it as an additional piece from the album’s creative period, extending the life of the record while giving listeners another view into the material written during those sessions.
The single also arrives after Avatar completed a major North American headline run, which included the band’s biggest headline show to date in Mexico City, followed by European and North American dates that included appearances at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple.
AVATAR LIVE 2026 SUPPORTING METALLICA
June 11 — Budapest, Hungary — Puskás Arena
June 19 — Dublin, Ireland — Aviva Stadium
July 5 — London, England — London Stadium
ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL DATES
June 7 — Trondheim, Norway — Trondheim Rocks
June 20 — Dessel, Belgium — Graspop Metal Meeting
June 26 — Oslo, Norway — Tons Of Rock
July 2 — Ballenstedt, Germany — Rockharz Festival
July 3 — Donauinsel, Austria — Donauinselfest
August 8 — Gdask, Poland — Rockowizna Festival
August 15 — Sulingen, Germany — Reload Festival
August 22 — Gothenburg, Sweden — Göteborg Brinner
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
August 26 — Adelaide, Australia — Lion Arts Factory
August 28 — Melbourne, Australia — Northcote Theatre
August 29 — Sydney, Australia — Manning Bar
August 30 — Brisbane, Australia — Princess Theatre
September 1 — Auckland, New Zealand — Powerstation
EUROPE & UK
November 20 — Wolverhampton, England — KK's Steel Mill
November 21 — Southampton, England — O2 Guildhall
November 22 — Cardiff, Wales — Depot
November 24 — Dublin, Ireland — National Stadium
November 25 — Belfast, Northern Ireland — Limelight
November 27 — Norwich, England — UEA
November 28 — Newcastle, England — Northumbria University
November 29 — Edinburgh, Scotland — Corn Exchange
December 1 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — Gashouder
December 3 — Oberhausen, Germany — Turbinenhalle
December 5 — Budapest, Hungary — Barba Negra Red
December 6 — Prague, Czechia — SaSaZu
December 8 — Innsbruck, Austria — Music Hall
December 9 — Linz, Austria — Posthof
December 10 — Ulm, Germany — Roxy
December 11 — Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg — Rockhal
December 12 — Zürich, Switzerland — Komplex
December 13 — Frankfurt, Germany — Zoom
December 15 — Padova, Italy — Hall
December 16 — Ljubljana, Slovenia — Cvetli?arna
December 17 — Zagreb, Croatia — Boogaloo
December 18 — Bratislava, Slovakia — Majestic Music Club
December 19 — Wroc?aw, Poland — A2
AVATAR ARE
Johannes Eckerström — Vocals
Jonas Jarlsby — Guitar
Tim Öhrström — Guitar
Henrik Sandelin — Bass
John Alfredsson — Drums
Formed in Gothenburg, Sweden, Avatar have developed one of the most distinctive identities in modern heavy metal by combining aggressive songwriting, theatrical presentation, dark visual concepts, and a strong sense of narrative world-building.
Across their career, the band has moved from extreme metal roots into a broader and more cinematic sound, building an international following through albums, elaborate live performances, and a visual identity centered around the unsettling universe created by the group.
“Crying Fire” extends the world surrounding “Don’t Go In The Forest” while arriving during one of the busiest touring periods in Avatar’s recent history. As the band continues performing across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, festivals, and stadium dates with Metallica, the standalone single adds another chapter to the album cycle without disrupting the identity already established around the record.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Photo Credit: Johan Carlén
Watch the official video for “Crying Fire” below.
