Swedish metal visionaries Avatar have dropped their electrifying new single, “Tonight We Must Be Warriors,” accompanied by a visually striking music video, as the third preview of their upcoming tenth studio album, Don’t Go In The Forest, set for release on October 31, 2025, via Black Waltz Records. The announcement, made on August 27, 2025, has sent waves through the metal community, showcasing the band’s continued evolution and fearless creativity.
“Tonight We Must Be Warriors” is a fist-raising, stadium-ready anthem that blends Avatar’s signature theatrical flair with a Euro power metal vibe, moving away from their earlier melodic death metal roots. Frontman Johannes Eckerström delivers a commanding vocal performance, weaving themes of solidarity and perseverance through the track’s soaring chants and chunky rhythms. The song features a surprising yet catchy flute hook and golden guitar solos, adding a layer of jovial unpredictability to its robust metal core.
Tonight We Must Be Warriors
Listen to Tonight We Must Be Warriors on Spotify. Song · Avatar · 2025
Eckerström reflects on the song’s deeper meaning, stating, “In days of isolation and despair, maybe we need to be reminded that we are not alone? We are one of many. Maybe we also need a reminder that the burden is on our shoulders? To get it done, we need to do the fighting ourselves. In our shared pain, we find solidarity.” This message resonates as a call to action, urging listeners to embrace their inner strength and collective spirit.
The single is the third release from Don’t Go In The Forest, following the eclectic “Captain Goat” and the thrashing “In The Airwaves.” The album, described by Eckerström as “filled to the brim with stuff we’ve never done before,” promises a daring exploration of new sonic territories. With a tracklist yet to be fully revealed, the album is poised to be a landmark in Avatar’s discography, reflecting their commitment to pushing boundaries and avoiding repetition. The band’s ethos of treating each album as a vital, heartfelt endeavor shines through in this ambitious project.
Eckerström elaborates, “The secret ingredient is that we still feel like we’re just getting started. Don’t Go In The Forest is an album filled with songs and concepts we haven’t been close to touching until now. The mind is wild, and we have lost ourselves in the darkest woods, filled with memories and fantasies. Forbidden thoughts that must be spoken.” This sense of fearless exploration underscores Avatar’s reputation as a band that thrives on reinvention.
Formed by drummer John Alfredsson and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, with Eckerström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and guitarist Tim Öhrström rounding out the current lineup, Avatar has evolved from their teenage beginnings into a global force in heavy metal. Known for their theatrical live performances and genre-defying sound, they’ve incorporated everything from choirs and brass to Moogs and cellos, all while maintaining the raw power of electric guitars. Their 2023 album, Dance Devil Dance, earned critical acclaim and a #1 spot on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay with “The Dirt I’m Buried In,” setting the stage for their latest chapter.
Avatar’s release of “Tonight We Must Be Warriors” comes ahead of a packed touring schedule, including a U.S. headlining tour kicking off November 5, 2025, in Phoenix, with support from Alien Weaponry and Spiritworld, and running through December 7 in Dallas. The band will also join Metallica for European dates in 2026 and perform their biggest show ever in Mexico City. These live commitments reflect Avatar’s relentless drive, with Eckerström emphasizing the importance of each performance and album as a step toward “absolute world domination.”
Fans can pre-save Don’t Go In The Forest and stream the video for “Tonight We Must Be Warriors” to experience Avatar’s latest sonic and visual spectacle. As the band continues to tread deeper into uncharted territory, this single serves as both a battle cry and an invitation to join their wild, unforgettable journey.
U.S. Headlining Tour with Alien Weaponry and Spiritworld
-
November 5, 2025: Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
-
November 7, 2025: Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
-
November 8, 2025: San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
-
November 10, 2025: Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
-
November 12, 2025: Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
-
November 14, 2025: Denver, CO – Summit
-
November 16, 2025: Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis
-
November 18, 2025: Chicago, IL – House of Blues
-
November 19, 2025: Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
-
November 21, 2025: New York, NY – Terminal 5
-
November 22, 2025: Boston, MA – House of Blues
-
November 24, 2025: Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
-
November 25, 2025: Washington, D.C. – The Anthem
-
November 27, 2025: Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
-
November 29, 2025: Orlando, FL – House of Blues
-
December 1, 2025: Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
-
December 3, 2025: Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
-
December 5, 2025: Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
-
December 7, 2025: Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
International Dates
-
January 25, 2026: Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio Azteca (Avatar’s biggest show to date)
-
May 2026: European tour supporting Metallica (specific dates and venues to be announced)
