Over the past quarter century, Erik Danielsson has led the uncompromising force that is Watain from Swedish underground upstarts to standardbearers and unruly ambassadors for the modern black metal scene.
Rather than weekend Satanists taking pot-shots at Christianity along the way, they’ve become one of those rare, walk-it-like-they-talk-it instances where art and life have become inseparable, their philosophy of transgression and search for forbidden knowledge embodied by their signature, and much copied, aesthetic of fire and blood. Lots of blood, drenched over the band onstage and used as particularly pungent incense to the disgust of venue managers and even some of their most ardent fans.
Unavoidably, they’ve generated controversy along the way. They’ve had gigs cancelled by Christian protest groups, and in 2018, they parted ways with live guitarist Set Teitan after he was pictured giving a Nazi salute, causing a further storm within and without the metal scene.
With the band about to celebrate their 25th anniversary with a pair of shows in their hometown, Erik has much to reflect on, but also very few fucks to give. In person, he’s amiable, thoughtful, and down to earth, but with a permanent glint of mischief.
“I feel like I’m 1,000 years old and I’ve seen everything and done everything already,” he says, speaking to a couple of weeks before his band play those commemorative shows.
