\n', 'The band was formed in 2001 by drummer John Alfredsson and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, who at the time were in separate bands. After several lineup changes, the band released two four song EP demos in 2004: Personal Observations released on January 18, 2004 and 4 Reasons to Die on November 19, 2004. Avatar\'s first studio album, Thoughts Of No Tomorrow was released on January 25, 2006 and peaked at #47 on the Sweden Albums Top 60. Several European tours as a supporting act for Impaled Nazarene, Evergrey, and In Flames. Their second album, Schlacht, was released in October 24, 2007, reaching spot 27 on the Swedish album chart. Björn Gelotte from In Flames contributed a guitar solo on the track Letters From Neverend. The subsequent set of tours saw them perform at the 2008 Sweden Rock Festival as well as shows in support of Obituary (January - February 2008), and Hardcore Superstar (October - November 2009). \n', 'The band\'s third album, the self-titled Avatar, was released in Sweden in November 2009 reaching the 36th position on the national album chart. In January 2010 the music video for the song Queen of Blades was released on the band\'s website. Around that time, the band signed with Sony Music for the German and Swiss release of the latest album on March 26, 2010. In April of the same year a deal was signed with the Japanese label Art Union, for a May 19 launch of the album. They then launched into an ambitious touring schedule appearing at the 2010 Storsjöyran, and also with Warrior Soul (March - April 2010), Dark Tranquillity (October - November 2010), and Helloween (December 2010 - January 2011).\n', 'In December 2011 guitarist Simon Andersson left the band, being replaced by Tim Öhrström. On January 25, 2012 the album Black Waltz was released in Europe. It reached position 25 on the album list in Avatar\'s native Sweden. The album was released in the US on February 14. Black Waltz marks the first appearance of the "Clown" face paint now worn regularly by Eckerström. To support the American release of Black Waltz, Avatar embarked on its first ever U.S. tour alongside Lacuna Coil and Sevendust in February 2013.\n', '

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