Swedish Metallers Avatar & Lzzy Hale Stand Against Iran's Oppression Of Women

Swedish heavy metal legends Avatar have released a ripping duet with Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, Violence No Matter What, ahead of the release of Avatar's ninth album, Dance Devil Dance, on 17 February via Thirty Tigers. 

Violence No Matter What finds Hale and Johannes Eckerström exchange vocals, with Hale bringing some impressive screams that befit the song's lyrical themes. The music video features imagery from protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested by the Guidance Patrol, the Iranian government's religious morality police. It's alleged that Amini passed away at the hands of the police.

Hale commented about featuring on a song about injustices towards women, "Violence No Matter What was such an inspiring piece to be a part of! Thank you so much to the boys for giving me the opportunity to express my angst against the horrors of this world through such a brilliant song!" 

Eckerström added, "Violence No Matter What is about one thing and one thing only. It’s ok to debate and fight and to think differently. But there is a limit, and the line must be drawn at authority held with violence, a world view that cannot survive without enemies, a promised return to a fabricated former glory."

Pre-order Dance Devil Dance here. Avatar say it's their best album yet. Upon announcing the record, the band said, "It is Avatar at our most laser focused, at our most razor sharp. There's no BS, no extra fat. Every track is a weapon and has a purpose. It's all in the title, as this album is our angriest, horniest and most spiritual release, all at once. It's a must-hear."

Halestorm will be touring across Australia's East Coast next week. Following the release of their fifth album, Back From The Dead, Halestorm quickly announced an Australian tour. On Tuesday, 31 January, the American rockers will perform at Auckland's Powerstation before heading to The Tivoli in Brisbane, the Forum in Melbourne (sold out) and Sydney's Enmore Theatre. Find tickets via Live Nation.