Avatar (Romanian band)

Infobox musical artist
Name =Avatar

|
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Romania
Genre = Death metal
Years_active = 2005-present
Label = Metalfan Records Division
Bestial Records
Associated_acts =

Current_members = Dan Scurtu
Marius Popeanga
Marian Calin
Catalin Branzan Catalin Diaconu
Past_members = Andrei Nemes
Cornel Tudosie
Mihai “Bryzby” Petrescu
Alin "Cocozoi" Deca
Victor Manescu

Avatar is a death metal band from Romania. The band was founded in 1996.

History

The band was formed in 2005 by Dan Scurtu (Voc), 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 2007 they performed in Bucharest as the opening act for Sepultura. After Victor Manescu left, a new guitarist, Catalin Diaconu, joined the band. The five band members are also working on the tracks for the new album, due to be released in 2009.

Lineup

*Dan Scurtu - lead guitar
*Marius Popeanga - vocals (also drums till 2001)
*Marian Calin - drums (2001-present)
*Catalin Branzan - bass (2001-present)
*Catalin Diaconu - guitar (2008-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

* [http://www.avatar-band.ro/uk/home.php Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/avataromania Official page] at MySpace
* [http://www.metalassault.ro/interviuri/avatar-2/ Interview with Marius Popeanga @ MetalAssault.ro]