WATAIN Mainman Talks Forthcoming Album On FULL METAL JACKIE's Radio Show (Audio)

Erik Danielsson of Swedish black metallers WATAIN was interviewed on the July 19-21 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.

Interview (audio):

Full Metal Jackie: Lots of excitement around this upcoming WATAIN album, it's called "The Wild Hunt" and it's going to be out in stores August 20, and I have to say I've had a chance to see WATAIN before on the BEHEMOTH show — such an amazing live performance. Erik, how important is ambiance or desolation, not only to this new album, "The Wild Hunt", but also to WATAIN overall. And why is desolation so comfortable?

Erik: Well, geographically first of all, we come from a place that is quite desolate, really. I mean, we come from the far north, and I think it has a special place in our heart very much because of that from the mundane level. But I think as persons, as individuals, we've always been kind of, well, outsiders, really. That's very much what WATAIN is about — building your own world and shutting the one you were born into out. You know, like turning your backs from towards the world. That's what we've been doing, and that's really, like, the, that's the function of WATAIN feeling, in life, really. To be able to just focus inwards instead; that's something very important to us.

Full Metal Jackie: Was writing new music for "The Wild Hunt" instinctive? Is it a natural progression or something more specifically mapped out?

Erik: Ah, well, this creative process is, of course, interesting; it always is. But at the same time, it's also so hard to pinpoint exactly what is going on. To me, it's a very chaotic process, really, you know? And this time around we've been, I've been traveling, like, during the time we marked for composing the album, I spent a lot of that time traveling in the Pacific Northwest, and I also went to Transylvania, in Europe which was very special also. And left a big mark on the album. But I don't know. I mean, it's, I mean, this is what I do, you know? I'm an artist; this is really all that I know. And I, you know, like I said, it's interesting to think about what is going really when you compose something but at the same time, it's like, I really don't know. You know, for me, for me, it's a very much a divine concept, you know, inspiration… I'm just blessed with it, I guess.

Full Metal Jackie: Erik, rather than performance, ceremony better describes WATAIN onstage. How does the ritual of playing live invigorate and recharge you?

Erik: It is a very, very central thing for WATAIN to perform live. I mean, it is forever bound, I suppose. For us, I think it's the very much like the fuel to our fire, you know, the shows. They are the kind of zenith of everything we do. They are like, they are really central, focal point and what happens on stage is very much a process of transcendence, really, as strange as that may sound or whatever. But I really can't put it in any better words. Like transcendence, and very much, it's very much about liberation, really. About just letting everything go and unchaining yourself. Which puts oneself in a very interesting scenario, because all of the sudden, you kind of, you completely let loose and I can not really take responsibility for what happens on a WATAIN stage. It's always quite unpredictable just because of that.

Full Metal Jackie: People [in the States], especially in New York City, are different from Sweden, obviously. So, what kindred spirit do you feel within the fans here in the States?

Erik: Well, I mean to be honest, people are sometimes surprised to hear it, but for me, like touring the States with WATAIN is almost a bit more rewarding because … people are just in general a little bit more [fucked] up, really, you know? Like, they have a more, in a way like a more passionate relation to this form of music. I think liberation, the concept of liberation and freedom here in the States is much more, it's a harder and more genuine thing here and all, because Sweden, or Europe in general, is already pretty liberal when it comes to most things. While here, you really have to kind of have to break through the crust to be able to, I don't know, feel freedom, really. So that's something I very much can relate to and, I mean, there are metalheads in general all over the world or … it's kind of like a brotherhood thing, really. So it's, I don't make that much of a difference, but if I would, that's the one.

Full Metal Jackie: What can we expect in terms of touring for the U.S. I think the last time you guys might have been here was the BEHEMOTH date, at least that's what I can remember, but can we expect you guys here maybe in the fall?

Erik: Absolutely. We are right now getting everything booked and ready to be announced, actually. But we're looking at a time frame starting early October and ending early November, so it will be a full-scale tour. Hopefully bringing out our good friends from Sweden, IN SOLITUDE, which is, to me, one of the most interesting bands around these days. So it will be a very good package, I think.