Black Waltz
Avatar · 2012
56 min · 11 tracks · melodic death metal
A theatrical blend of melodic death metal and dark cabaret, underscored by haunting melodies and powerful orchestration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Waltz — The title track encapsulates the album's theatricality and features complex arrangements that highlight both lyrical depth and musical intricacy.
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Let Us Die — This opening track sets the tone with its aggressive riffs and cinematic atmosphere, immediately drawing listeners into Avatar's dark world.
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Smells Like a Freak Show — With its catchy chorus and playful yet menacing lyrics, this track exemplifies the band's ability to mix humor with horror, a hallmark of their style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends orchestral and metal elements effectively, showcasing strong composition and craft while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of orchestral elements, with strings and brass enhancing the melodic death metal instrumentation throughout.
- The title track 'Black Waltz' employs a waltz rhythm, which is distinct from the predominantly fast-paced songs surrounding it, adding variety to the album's flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing flows
- theatrical, dramatic storytelling
- haunting melodies and textures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Black Waltz marks Avatar's fourth studio album, showcasing their evolution from underground metal to a more theatrical and accessible sound. Released in early 2012, it followed their breakthrough album, Avatar Country, solidifying their place in the melodic death metal scene while introducing elements of performance art into their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- In Flames· Dark Tranquillity· Soilwork
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Let Us Die 4:15
- 2 Torn Apart 6:28
- 3 Ready for the Ride 3:14
- 4 Napalm 5:32
- 5 Black Waltz 6:00
- 6 Blod 3:35
- 7 Let It Burn 3:34
- 8 One Touch 4:18
- 9 Paint Me Red 4:33
- 10 Smells Like a Freak Show 4:55
- 11 Use Your Tongue 9:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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