Avatar (Romanian band)

Avatar is a death metal band from Craiova, Romania. The band was founded in 1996 and released its debut album The Alchemist in 2000. Their most recent release is the 2006 EP Tentacles.

History

The band was formed in 1996 by Dan Scurtu (guitar), Marius Popeanga (vocals and drums) and Andrei Nemes (bass). They soon recorded their first demo, Orgiastic Ceremony. The following year Mihai “Bryzby” Petrescu joined the band at the keyboards, and together they recorded their second demo, Holy Infection. In 1999 they signed their first contract with Bestial Records. The following year Alin "Cocozoi" Deca joined the band as the second vocalist, and Cornel Tudosie replaced Nemes at the bass. With this lineup, they recorded and released their first album The Alchemist. After releasing their first video "Inner Alchemy" in 2001, the band had another lineup change: Marian Calin took over the drums and Catalin Branzan replaced Tudosie at the bass. From 2002 to 2004 they performed at various metal festivals in Romania, Serbia and Austria. In 2005 they recorded the promo Cyclops and later they started a tour called "Avatour" through Germany and Austria. The Salzburg concert was recorded and released as Live on Mozartstrasse. Later that year, Victor Manescu joined the band as second guitarist. In March-April 2006 they recorded the EP Tentacles, which was released in July 2006 under the Metalfan Records Division label, and they also released a video of the song "The Deepest Corner of the Mind". They later embarked on a new tour throughout Europe. 2007 was a busy year for Avatar, with concerts all over Romania. In May they represented Romania at "The cultural days of Bucharest in Wien". On July 12 they performed in Bucharest as the opening act for Sepultura. After Victor Manescu left the band the four band members are also working on the tracks for The New album, due to be released in 2008.

Lineup

• Dan Scurtu - lead guitar
• Marius Popeanga - vocals (also drums till 2001)
• Marian Calin - drums (2001-present)
• Catalin Branzan - bass (2001-present)

Former members

• Andrei Nemes - bass (1996-2000)
• Cornel Tudosie - bass (2000-2001)
• Mihai “Bryzby” Petrescu - keyboards (1997-2000)
• Alin "Cocozoi" Deca - vocals (2000-2004)
• Victor Manescu - solo guitar (2005-2007)

Discography

• Orgiastic Ceremony (demo, 1996)
• Holy Infection (demo, 1997 and promo, 1998)
• The Alchemist (2000, 2004)
• Cyclops (promo, 2005)
• Live on Mozartstrasse (live, 2005)
• Tentacles (2006)
• New album (2008)

External links

• Official website
• Official page at MySpace