Avatar Family Tree

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Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Avatar has gained a lot of popularity over the years. They started with a very melodic death metal sound but since have evolved their sound becoming more mainstream but also less derivative from early pioneers of the genera. They have crafted a very eclectic sound. The band has had a consistent line up with only one change since the release of their first album. From that time the band consisted of vocalist Johannes Eckerström, Guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson. At that time the second guitarist was Simon Andersson, who was replaced by Tim Öhrström in 2011.
This list unfortunately is missing probably a lot of influences. In my research I was unable to find any interviews other than ones done by singer Johannes Eckerström. Fortunately he talks about band influences along with his personal ones but I’m sure the list is lacking important elements. This is one where I would really appreciate any sources that can improve this list. As I find more information it will be added. With that said, lets jump into what I have come up with so far.

Ludwig van Beethoven

 
The most famous of classical composers, Beethoven. Johannes said he grew up listening to Beethoven because of his parents and this was his first musical influence.

The most famous of classical composers, Beethoven. Johannes said he grew up listening to Beethoven because of his parents and this was his first musical influence.

 
The Beatles pioneered rock music from the foundation set by rock n roll. Johannes mentions on many occasions growing up with his parents listening to The Beatles. He says they look to The Beatles in the way they put an album together.

The Beatles pioneered rock music from the foundation set by rock n roll. Johannes mentions on many occasions growing up with his parents listening to The Beatles. He says they look to The Beatles in the way they put an album together. Jonas talks about practicing “Day Tripper” when learning to play.

The Fathers of Heavy metal, Black Sabbath. Johannes in 2013 said the band was at a point where they are very riff focused and that comes from Sabbath.

The Fathers of Heavy metal, Black Sabbath. Johannes in 2013 said the band was at a point where they are very riff focused and that comes from Sabbath.

Hard Rock legends Thin Lizzy are known for their guitar harmonies. Johannes said everyone in the band are fans.

Hard Rock legends Thin Lizzy are known for their guitar harmonies. Johannes said everyone in the band are fans.

Tom Waits

Singer Tom waits has an interesting blues based style but does some unusual things musically. Johannes names him as a vocal influences.

Singer Tom waits has an interesting blues based style but does some unusual things musically. Johannes names him as a vocal influences.

Queen has been a very influential band over the years. Tim mentions the band pulling influence from Queen.

Queen has been a very influential band over the years. Tim mentions the band pulling influence from Queen.

Kiss are one of the most famous hard rock bands. Tim named the main “God of Thunder” riff as the first he learned to play.

AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. Tim talks about practicing “Riff Raff” learning to play.

Van Halen were an extremely influential band. Tim said hearing “You Really Got Me” from Van Halen was the first thing that made him want to play guitar.

Iron Maiden are easily one of the most influential metal bands known for their harmonies. Johannes names them as an influence.

Iron Maiden are easily one of the most influential metal bands known for their harmonies. Johannes names them as an influence. Jonas named them as a important early influence and the band that made him want to play guitar.

Ozzy has put out some very influential albums especially earlier in his solo career. Johannes said he was a big influence when he was younger.

Ozzy has put out some very influential albums especially earlier in his solo career. Johannes said he was a big influence when he was younger.

Ministry were pioneers of industrial metal. Johannes names them as an influence.

Ministry were pioneers of industrial metal. Johannes names them as an influence.

Considered by many as the fathers of Power Metal, Helloween are hugely important. Johannes names singer Michael Kiske as an influence. He says after hearing Keeper of the Seven Keys pt 2 he got into music seriously.

Considered by many as the fathers of Power Metal, Helloween are hugely important. Johannes names singer Michael Kiske as an influence. He says after hearing Keeper of the Seven Keys pt 2 he got into music seriously.

Immolation are a old school death metal staple. Johannes named Ross Dolan as a vocal influence.

Immolation are a old school death metal staple. Johannes named Ross Dolan as a vocal influence.

Blind Guardian are easily one of the most important power metal bands. Hansi took vocal layering to a new level in metal and Johannes names him as an influence.

Blind Guardian are easily one of the most important power metal bands. Hansi took vocal layering to a new level in metal and Johannes names him as an influence.

Mike Patton

Mike Patton made his start in Faith No More before Mr. Bungle and other bands. Johannes named him as one of his biggest influences.

Mike Patton made his start in Faith No More before Mr. Bungle and other bands. Johannes named him as one of his biggest influences.

Pantera changed the world of metal when they released Cowboys From Hell. Tim is a huge fan of Dime.

Pantera changed the world of metal when they released Cowboys From Hell. Tim is a huge fan of Dime.

Cryptopsy are a brutal technical death metal band. Johannes names their vocalist as a big influence.

Cryptopsy are a brutal technical death metal band. Johannes names their vocalist as a big influence.

In Flames were a melodic death pioneer before going in a…. different direction. This influence is no surprise as Avatar’s musical career as mirrored their predecessors in way. Johannes said they were an influence especially early on.

In Flames were a melodic death pioneer before going in a…. different direction. This influence is no surprise as Avatar’s musical career as mirrored their predecessors in way. Johannes said they were an influence especially early on.

Marilyn Manson was a staple for edgie teens. Johannes named him as an influence.

Marilyn Manson was a staple for edgie teens. Johannes named him as an influence.

Rammstein were huge in the 2000’s with their German industrial metal. Johannes named them as an influence.

Rammstein were huge in the 2000’s with their German industrial metal. Johannes named them as an influence.

Strapping Young Lad, the band of influential Devin Townsend. Johannes named them as an influence and Devin Townsend as one of his favorite singers.

Strapping Young Lad, the band of influential Devin Townsend. Johannes named them as an influence and Devin Townsend as one of his favorite singers.

The Haunted formed out of the remains of melodic death pioneers, At The Gates. Johannes frequently names them as a big influence.

The Haunted formed out of the remains of melodic death pioneers, At The Gates. Johannes frequently names them as a big influence. Jonas said they really taught him how to really riff.

Tim talked about Avatar being an influence on him before he was in the band.

Johannes has been vague with some influences naming “bands from Gothenburg where we are from, combined with the death metal scene of the late 80s/early 90s” He said he grew up with the music his parents listened to like Beethoven and then The Beatles. He also grew up with Guns n Roses and Kiss before later find German bands like Helloween. He called Michael Jackson a “musical genius and one of the greatest performers of all time”. He says he appreciates when actors sing because they know how to tell a story even if they aren’t the best singers. (He didn’t say if this includes William Shatner, but I hope it does). He says The Impaled was his first experience into the “fantasy” horror element but he wasn’t the biggest fan because of this he got into better bands like Carcass. He mentions borrowing a bunch of black metal but not liking a lot of it except Marduk.

Sources:

http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/interview-johannes-eckerstrom-avatar/
https://loudwire.com/remembering-dimebag-darrell-johannes-eckerstrom-avatar/
https://lotsofmuzic.weebly.com/home/one-day-in-avatar-country-our-interview-with-avatars-johannes-eckerstrom-and-a-reviewof-their-concert-in-toronto
https://myglobalmind.com/2016/12/10/interview-with-johannes-eckerstrom-lead-vocals-avatar-dublin-november-22nd-2016/
https://www.metalblast.net/interviews/the-last-laugh-an-interview-with-avatar/
https://mediamikes.com/2012/02/interview-with-avatars-johannes-eckerstrom/
https://www.loudersound.com/features/avatar-the-10-albums-that-changed-johannes-eckerstroems-life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_mA7F2-wok