Erik Danielsson of Watain talks politics and nazi ideology in black metal | Aggressive Tendencies

Erik Danielsson of Watain talks about various forms of inspirations for the band's music, as well as the current state of politics in extreme metal (including the black metal Nazi situation) and his opinion on it. Interview conducted at The Opera House on February 25, 2018 while the band was in Toronto on tour with Destroyer 666 and Revenge.
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[@scarylullabies]

'Everyone is equal before death' there you go, he sums up his opinion.

[@michby]

“We’re all gonna die. So sit down, shut up, and listen to some music”

[@enricomadrigal9168]

Erik on stage: 😈👹👺🤘🔥🏴🔱 Erik off stage: 🙂😇😉✌👍🤗

[@michby]

He does seem like someone you could have a real conversation with and like he wouldn’t stab or rape you. So he’s got that going for him.

[@Noluxarch]

there is a thing called being logical.

[@enricomadrigal9168]

@@Noluxarch may I ask you how old are you? do you like chess?

[@skooptywooop1030]

Not every musician is a wordsmith on the spot people...not everyone is extroverted like that, you can't judge people based on something like this alone.

[@profetensapenbaring5973]

Black Metal has always been surrounded by controversy, If you can't handle it stay the fuck out. It's that simple.

[@againstthegrain8130]

Controversy is one thing, openly supporting racism and nazi bullshit is a completely different and sadder chapter. Then again I'm talking to a Goatmoon fan so chances to find a working brain here are slim to none.

[@shawnsmith8558]

naw fuck that noise crush racism, nazism and homophobia, maybe some people make good music, but that doesn't mean we need to support there personal actions / ideologies

[@profetensapenbaring5973]

Against The Grain I'm open to other people's opinions, personally I don't think there's anything wrong with liking what I enjoy but every person has their own taste. This is why freedom of speech is crucial on both sides.

[@againstthegrain8130]

Profetens Åpenbaring freedom of speech does not apply to those whose ideology revolves around the destruction of freedom of speech itself. It's called "Paradox of tolerance" by philosopher Karl Popper. You might consider spending less time on bm and more on books.

[@profetensapenbaring5973]

Against The Grain very true! But I never said I agree with their ideology or anything like that. I just enjoy their music, politics alone shouldn't be involved in any sort of music.

[@zakkmiller8242]

He managed to talk for 2 minutes while not saying anything lmao

[@wazza4194]

You heard him for two minutes while not listening.

[@Lilstarshine]

I heard and understood a lot of things

[@herbertwest9626]

The problem is you don't understand what he's saying.

[@faust8218]

You are very low IQ if you think he said nothing lol

[@Simone-xe9cw]

2:02 minutes of a guy trying to hide his beliefs.

[@karpizzlefromjhofffilms682]

Simone Pointless fucking interview

[@emiliantoutkewicz9286]

A great man

[@danielMayheM13]

That's what everyone does it's metal😁what did you expect

[@sinisterking6009]

Stay butthurt nitwit, not his fault you aren't able to take deeper conversations lmao

[@sectorarea]

Why is he hiding his beliefs haha. He says pretty clear he doesn't give a fuck about (fart)zi ideology or any ideology. He just wants to see the world burn...i like this kid

[@clubgothica]

Such a magickal approach to answering this question. Inspired by "Do what thou wilt." Erik is right, we live in a far deeper world, far deeper than the little meanderings of petty foolish human concern. Hail Watain.

[@user-bm3ts2ql6s]

If by that tirade you mean he gave a long-winded non-answer which somehow managed to say that all bm nationalist bands do not have a place in the genre. In other words I call bs.

[@BarryH90dz]

Talk about dancing around the subject huh?

[@user-bm3ts2ql6s]

He cucked... Read some of the responses MGLA has given... They basically told the detractors to go pound sand.

[@dunkaroo1364]

Yup

[@beavinator420]

Every race can remove their filter n speak how they feel without remorse. Hate is great. If you're too weak to take it get trampled on weaklings

[@DeathBYDesign666]

He kinda did, but he also doesn't want to weigh in obviously. He takes the stand of saying that black metal is supposed to stand against any and all ideologies and he is right to a degree. He's basically saying he doesn't care. Maybe that's the best move honestly.

[@Ray_Getard42069]

Talk about intentionally ignoring what he actually said, huh?

[@Saif_Al_Dajjal]

I’m an observant Jew and I still rock a Burzum shirt. It’s art people. Either listen to it or don’t.

[@user-bm3ts2ql6s]

Does your rabbi approve? But ya, i'd listen to Burzum before I listen to craptastic watain....

[@mordechaifrizis7231]

@@user-bm3ts2ql6s I'm an Orthodox Jew and Orthodox Rabbi, and also a metalhead and I love black metal (the music).

[@user-ub8os8bp6s]

Well then, you are an idiot... Nobody said it's bad to like Burzum music as a sound you like to listen to... But even if I like the music, I would never BUY anything (t-shirts, CDs) and support a guy who holds such absurd ideologies. Vikernes literally believes that people like YOU should die (because of idiotic racist reasons) and you are still proud to have that shirt?

[@Mitchery]

@@user-ub8os8bp6s Burzum doesn't sing about calling for the destruction of certain ethnic groups.

[@Jonksss]

@@Mitchery He doesn't preach that in his music necessarily but his youtube videos are quite concerning. I remember a video where he said that races are fundamentally different. Similar to that of world of warcraft races with their different stat points and skill trees. Ludicrous, I might say and this is coming from a person who likes his music.

[@darwinism14]

Is he talking in electoral campaign?

[@KnjazNazrath]

Take a drink every time Erik second guesses what he was about to say...

[@Swedishoutlaw]

@@SatanenPerkele Lol

[@phillynott6811]

Not even sure it is second guessing as he is like this in absolutely every interview he seems to do, he just always comes off as uncomfortable during interviews

[@T-roccBABY]

@@phillynott6811 it's understandable considering anything you say these days will be dissected under a microscope endlessly if it's recorded in any way whatsoever. Soon enough folks won't even be able to think freely without chastising themselves.

[@a.network]

got drunk in 20 seconds

[@ramingr]

Send an ambulance.

[@PaebloLeon]

Perhaps you should all take into consideration that there’s a language barrier too. He seems fluent but some of you people are expecting him to give you a 100% explanation. I don’t know, though, whether he’d say the exact same thing when speaking his mother tongue.

[@PaebloLeon]

Satanen Perkele well, writing and learning lyrics is a different cognitive process

[@atticuspappin2504]

He doesnt seem confident in his own ideology .. so he ends up saying nothing

[@edgardorodriguez128]

How to speak for about 3 minutes and don't say a shit, bravo!

[@edgardorodriguez128]

@@jtukbb yeah, Carl Gustav Jung, swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.

[@mattiascloverleaf2076]

what did you not understand?

[@Baltimore_Hood_Vines_2014]

@@edgardorodriguez128 carl jung was a gigachad

[@hnorrstrom]

I'm from the same country and the same part even. I have no clue what he talked about. Most swedish guy ever. Totally afraid of conflicts.

[@Terra101]

Then open your ears, this was very easy to follow.

[@roxolaniknight272]

*This is why Militant Black Metal is more popular*

[@user-bm3ts2ql6s]

It is more popular because people prefer lyrics that actually address the issues their society, culture, struggle with, rather than cliche soysatan worship.

[@MorganEarlJones]

All I can gather from a quick google is that militant black metal is another term for nazi metal for milquetoast soyboys that have to "hide their power level" as the far-right starts to meet pushback for gradually overplaying its hand globally.

[@OpethTheater3]

Oh ya dude it is totally the right that is overplaying it’s hand lmao

[@MorganEarlJones]

@@OpethTheater3 I didn't say the right, I said the far-right. The former has some place in society and will probably always manifest in a specific set of social conditions - the latter has no place in society, is bred by social isolation and xenophobic corporate propaganda, and literally being noticed means you've already over-played your hand.

[@ionioakinioanette5729]

@@MorganEarlJones Why would a corporation be xenophobic? That's fucking retarded. The corporation doesn't care from whom its money comes from.

[@crucifixmegabuster95]

I agree with him. Everyone can write what they feel but forget the consequences of what they write or Say. Write what you wanna but also support it in a debate. And don't cop out either.

[@QezaBara]

megaman exe word up.

[@shotgunfacelift355]

We try and debate but get kicked off every social platform for being racists when all we've done is arrive at logical conclusions based on the information at hand.

[@RuukusBeats]

@@shotgunfacelift355 If your "logical conclusions" are XIXe centuries pseudo-scientific racialist theories in disguise, if they are just rationalisations of your preexisting ethnocentrism and you can't see that, then yeah, we don't want you to talk and you can cry about how edgy and right you must be for other people not to touch you with a stick. Also thanks not to use this comment as a platform to push your nazi-friendly shit.

[@shotgunfacelift355]

RuukusBeats Which part exactly is pseudoscientific? That Aboriginals aren’t as smart as Northern Europeans or north east Asians?

[@shotgunfacelift355]

Dr retardo Yeah I remember Donald Trump being so popular because of the latent racialism he promoted during his campaign like restricting immigration and building a wall. He and the republicans totally have my interest at heart and have also totally delivered on these promises. Oh wait...they haven’t delivered on anything except tax reform for billionaires and the current annexation of the West Bank for jews in Israel. This party totally represents my interests as a white American.

[@hallamalla98]

For people who don't seem to be able to listen to what he actually says. In broad strokes he says first that he has always been inspired by fucked up things, historical things, cultural things, all over the world and sucks up all of that he can find and write music about it. He also then said that he don't think that black metal should be a commentary about anything politically, socially or hardly even culturally, it should be something beyond that, and he also said that he don't think that the political debate that seems to be in the community isn't about left or right but rather than people are pissed about the political climate over all.

[@Deadpool-px2nm]

Don't bother with these idiots. I have cancer in the brain and even I can tell what he was saying. On top of that, I guess people are ignorant of the fact that Erik is Swedish, and English is not his first language.

[@khalez1471]

I totally get what he was sayin'. Some right wing dudes just did not hear what they wanted. Just in case i am no leftist.

[@yayocowboy]

I don't understand why people in the comments are saying he says nothing or he's incoherent. he said more than one deep or wise and observant things and points in this 2+ minutes...he is not s dumb at all. quite the opposite

[@ZOSKIA889]

His brother was my nEiGbOur

[@tontogonzales]

You better have one

[@lordfeder3559]

he didn't say anything wrong, why is everyone so pissed?

[@Finn-gx6ir]

His lyrics have 0 nazi themes just fucking hippies attacking this poor guy

[@kaceyburke6518]

I guess some ppl think "all" bm is somehow politically right wing. It's total bullshit. There's plenty of bm bands that are left, or left leaning. I mean if Erik says everyone is equal in death, then it's pretty obvious he doesn't care for extreme views.

[@Finn-gx6ir]

@@kaceyburke6518 mostly antifa hating on these guys just cause they play black metal. Recently a few punks killed a guy over a balloon lol they going to jail now(Happened in hollywood). Mostly black metal dudes are walking around minding their own business just eternal peace at a forest. mean while antifa punks calling us nazis n shit while we do nothing wrong and while they killed someone over a balloon.... it just shows that black metal is innocent and we aint gonna kill someone over a fucking balloon either ^^ dont pay too much attention to these worms you should only when the time comes when they try to cancel shit again. and if they do we will just have them play a backyard show again with the hispanics ^^

[@CactusJacksEar]

@@Finn-gx6ir what the hell are you rambling about?

[@Finn-gx6ir]

@@CactusJacksEar science

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

Thank you for uploading this, the day this was uploaded I met them the second time. WATAIN treat their fans well and with respect. Not to many bands come to a in store Meet and Greet and bring gifts for their wans....they do.

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Whoa, they brought gifts?! What'd they bring?!

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

LOL, nothing crazy. They just brought stickers for the fans, you got two separate stickers that are new and only available through Watain. It was a very great day. I met them at them at the same store back in 2015 during an in store. I would like to note I did help get the idea for this in store to happen and thankfully the store agreed with me. So back in 2015 they met everyone and they signed and what was really cool was that E had a bowl of blood next to him and everything the signed they "blessed" or "annotined" with the blood. This time, two months before the ins-tore I became the proud owner of a 5 foot by 5 foot poster that E created himself buy hand for the 2010 Lawless tour. It is a BEAUTIFUL poster with the Statue of Liberty holding and inverted cross, but it is way different than the poster flag that was being sold through Wolf Wear. E really did a great job with it. Well he gave it to Seasons of Mist which in turn gave it to the store as a thank you for support. They no longer had room for it so in their own words they know how much of a die hard, loyal Disciple I am of Watain I became the owner of it. On that day in 2015 Erik signed it the band did and anointed it with blood as well. The paper used is very heavy hard stock thick paper it is beyond amazing art quality. Well on that at three weeks ago now Erik signed it to me (my name) and so did the two new (LIVE ONLY) members (as well as Pelle and Alvaro). E, P and A signed it in 2015 I just needed whoever else in the band showed up to sign it and for my name to be written on it. OMG, I feel so honored to have it and they treated me like GOLD, especially P, A and E. This time you paid $25 or 35 and you got to meet them, talk (whatever), they signed anything...(I kept it to two) and when you got in the store for your $35 you got a copy of the Trident LP and a special poster that was created for that even only. The band brought the stickers on their own which they did not have to do. They treat their fans like gold and that is why I will always be SWORN to the Dark of Watain. So now I have three posters signed, my Trident album, am 11x14 color live shot and a Decibel magazine cover for the Sworn album signed to me. They treat their fans especially Disciples with respect. I can tell you this, Slayer could learn a lot of things and especially how to treat their fans . TO The Death!

[@brightnessfalls]

It is an artform that investigates the darker sites of humanity. Like any good artform you often cross the line of what is correct or desireable...

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Black metal is NOT for weak-minded pussies who are triggered by everything.

[@eatmyturdd6697]

@@TheWitchOvAgnesi exactly.

[@3trilliontrees]

Yes@atropusarbaalish4214

[@Nielsfest]

That's the simplest you can put it? He didn't say ANYTHING about Nazi ideology or anything for that matter.

[@Nielsfest]

​@Samael First of all, show me the timestamp of where he says this. He doesn't say anything. Also, even if he did say it, that's not worth a video title 'talking about politics and nazi ideology in black metal'. Because it's just avoiding the talk. Also if people think black metal has nothing to do with ideology, they haven't been paying attention.

[@Nielsfest]

@Samael It's funny how people who dress the same, make the same music, try to be more occult/satanic than the one before think they somehow are wolves going against the flock haha.

[@Nielsfest]

@Samael For the record I have no problem with some level of conformity and social cohesion. Watain don't take this theme more seriously. They are just another black metal pop stars. They are sellouts. I don't have a problem with big succesfull bands. But don't go around telling how 'kvlt' and 'trve' you are on your tourbus/airplane selling merch like a Disney gift shop. Again Erik is too afraid to really say anything about politics in Black metal, he completely avoids Nazism. He's as insincere as they come.

[@Nielsfest]

@Samael Well if you don't mind supporting bands with a Nazi/racist ideology than that says something about you. I don't like bands that exclude people based on their culture/skin/ethnicity.

[@gkrskll]

@@Nielsfest you make a good point, and it's a horrible thing. Racism shouldn't excist by now and judging people based on race is just fucking idiotic. Why do people still care about shit like that i truly do not understand. So if Erik or any person believes in that, fuck them and i do not want to associate with them. But with music it's complicated. For all I know they don't have any nazi propaganda in their songs. Black metal to me ,no matter what it was or what other people think it is, it's a feeling. A feeling you get when you are alone, cold with no one to rely on. A feeling of impending doom and chaos. And sometimes I do feel like that. Everyone does. So for me listening to music has nothing to do with politics. I despise politics and I do believe that both ends of the spectrum are absolute psychopaths no matter if it's left or right. It's a tiring topic that I don't want to deal with as of now. So yeah, i like their music, i don't like their ideology that is not connected to their music. I am not going to support them further by buying merch or going to their shows if they truly believe in shit like that, but I won't stop listening to them either.

[@florin8049]

You can tell it is hard for this guy, who simply has a diffrent point of view, its hard to actually think somthing of your own these days, fuck society! Hail Erik!

[@atticuspappin2504]

He literally didn’t say anything

[@StarfighterJohansson]

@@atticuspappin2504Literally? _Literally_? Let's sum up the points he made. 1. His inspiration is diverse (i.e. he keeps an open mind). 2. All artistic expressions are filtered through the artists' judgement (i.e. he can only speak for himself). 3. He thinks the clashes happening in the black metal scene isn't really about politics per se, but more a result of a society with high political tensions in general (I mean... I've seen discussions under a recipe for cupcakes derailing into talk about Hitler). 4. He underlines his belief that black metal as a music genre shouldn't be a political tool but rather stay indifferent to human discourse - and when it comes to himself, personally, he sums it up with "everyone is equal before death". Now would I personally have put it like that? No, I would've said "fuck nazis". But claiming he "literally didn't say anything" is just plain wrong.

[@nrktp]

For a good listener there are few words to say.

[@ciornyjvoron971]

This comment section is so much cancer that i can feel the tumors growing on my back

[@tellydelete3541]

so FOAD!

[@ciornyjvoron971]

@@tellydelete3541 Thanks, i love you too

[@LeoMessiGoat1986]

Fuckin awesome frontman. Trident Wolf Eclipse is one hell of a record.

[@SvartElric9]

wait, what?

[@LouisWinthorpe622]

Which is basically a long way of saying "We are like Switzerland".

[@FirstnameLastname-en1tl]

Leave black metal alone

[@wesleyjames8645]

He didn’t say anything about Nazis tho!?

[@euronymous29]

Total support with Watain, and We don't to read shit from Metal Sucks, they are the shit in our metal community.

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Where did the MetalSucks thing come from?! Did he talk about it in our video? Am I that forgetful?!

[@euronymous29]

Aggressive Tendencies he doesn't need to mention it. It's obvious...

[@euronymous29]

Excuse me Sir, a few days ago MetalSucks wrote against set teitan: www.metalsucks.net 018/03/27/ watain-photo-of-guitarist-giving-the-nazi-salute-surfaces-online/ and the wrote against Inquisition too in a very bad way. they are like the judges of metal around the world and their number of clicks are increasing with more more posts with these kind of malicious. I apologize to you for not being clear with my comments. I think your interview was in the good way and Erik's answers are very polite

[@patrickbertlein4626]

These accusations are based on the assumption that anyone who does not agree with "them" they must be the "other". We need to keep this in mind while also recognizing, beyond our views of empathy and compassion, the idea of fascism itself is based on following others and mental weakness. That alone discredits it as a truth path for any wannabe warrior. Refusing to bow before either cowardice is the Black Flame!! Stand alone el folkefiende, the world will devour itself regardless of your ideas and thoughts.

[@thadiousmilton]

You're so deep. I bet you get all the pussy.

[@petertromp8786]

It's not difficult to denounce Nazism. Doesn't mean you're playing politics.

[@goatsun1300]

@@petertromp8786 it's also not difficult NOT denouncing nazism just because worthless people asked him

[@petertromp8786]

@@goatsun1300 Isn't viewing others as "worthless" the basic essence of Nazism? It's how you get to ethnic cleansing the Untermensch that according to Nazis were not worthy of life.

[@CfOme]

"Everyone is just getting a bit worked up" brilliant. RESPECT. TRVE BLACK METAL.

[@CfOme]

Björn Mätal sounds like you're another normie getting a bit too worked up. Get t' fuck wi' yer

[@CfOme]

Björn Mätal aye ..and an even better gas.

[@CfOme]

Björn Mätal SOMEONE FORGOT TO SAY CHRISTIANS TOO! HAHAHA CONFIRMED POSER. Nah just kidding.

[@CfOme]

Björn Mätal not the whites.....yet you said Jews.......what?....if you're blaming society and civilisation as it is today with it's current state of morals and values then I think you can look to the religion and race of your execs. And ceos of the likes of MTV and various Hollywood companies. You don't get many Bergs, Steins and Shekels amongst the "brownies and blackies". It's the human race that is fucking shit.

[@CfOme]

Björn Mätal there are white Jews and Christians you know....

[@enterbalak]

Well said. Everyones equal before death.

[@rpmrockpunkmetaloslo2059]

I am expressing what I think we need to discuss. The hip hop community have expressed their hatred towards us. Tore down our concert poster's . However, we have KZbin, turn it around people. Talk about concerts talk about what is happening and where. It helps bands out . Turn up to festival's. It helps bands out.

[@kronoscamron7412]

Don't know, I would rather have an all out war, lets see if their gay gangsta shit would stand a horde of armed to the teeth metal heads.

[@FoxMcloud]

look, if you like NSBM bands, then so be it. its fucking music, its not aimed to please people on the outside of that belief, its for people in that belief to enjoy because they have a similar interest. be it black metal or National socialism, it's for them and them only. I enjoy whatever regardless of my radical beliefs :) Even if your against NSBM, you should't be hindered to listen to what you enjoy.

[@guyfauks2576]

Imagine encouraging genocide for convenience Güero moment

[@AntifascistBlackMetalNetwork]

tell me you like nazis without telling me you like nazis

[@niivuk]

@@todeskult2818 lol, your comment made me laugh so hard. Thanks buddy!

[@niivuk]

@Absence Of Will wow, that was so clever of you, good boy! What other words can you spell?

[@ensnaredbyflesh1030]

"antifascist black metal network" hahahaha

[@skottcoucill8343]

Gay arse username

[@glemoraglutrai7083]

the thing about metal is... metal IS a weapon. Its aggression is a tool that its creators use for their purpouse to usually lash out at something. Whether Christianity or collective group think, or modern society or whatever. And due to that, its not surprising that people very quickly determined that the threatening nature of extreme metal can be utilized for a nationalistic or political ideology. Metal is a sword, its a show of force. Its then who picks up that sword that becomes the issue. What will they use it for? I know a lot of people say "keep the fuckign politics out of metal!" while i dont entrirely agree with this position, if they want to keep metal free of the political posturing and fighting, then they should also look closely into our scene and weed out the actors who allready have been carefully pushing political ideology, like how anti-christianity turned then to paganism.... which then turned into nationalism. they should block out guys walking around with the SS deaths head and sunwheels/swastikas on their battle jackets, if they REALLY want to have an environment thats a-political. If they dont want to do that, then Im afraid metal is then going to have this political fight.

[@ryanmcbride5764]

Jesus christ....just listen to the music and enjoy yourselves It’s not like ur getting out of this life alive Wow...we are getting sicker by the minute

[@avsky837]

I get it, you've got your nihilistic egalitarianism, but ultimately you're going to have to pick sides and take action buddy.

[@avsky837]

Found the vargtard. All change starts with yourself first, and then organizing communities and eventually affecting political change, or creating a separatist society. But ultimately you need to form connections; you can't just run in the fucking forest alone. & if the roman Empire can collapse, then so can this shitty paradigm-- but just be prepared when it does.

[@CoolGuyAtlas]

Toxic Potato Yes because a populous has never other-thrown its rulers before. Don't be black pilled.

[@kronoscamron7412]

Political Discrimination is cancer, whatever it is , left,right, it does not matter.

[@kronoscamron7412]

@Toxic Potato I know , how cancerous. funny how any utopian system ends up being dystopian af.

[@kronoscamron7412]

@ I like how you think.

[@nazghoul6664]

I agree with Eric

[@wg6889]

“We’re all equal until death”. Lmao that sounds like something a Buddhist monk would say. Surprisingly enough the cult system he follows advocates misanthropy and nihilism

[@breakfastMcgull]

Ugh, yeah, everyone will fade to Oblivion and there won't be angels and demons meeting you, hence, we're all equal in death. Keep trying.

[@petecanthropus9947]

Not "until", but "before" (in front of).

[@Mitchery]

Humanity is worthy extinction for bringing misery to mother nature, period

[@CactusJacksEar]

Erik is trying so hard to sound obtuse and deep and comes across as an edgy teen.

[@SeedTheAvocado]

Yeah he's a poser. He's bascially a black metal popstar after all. Probably paid by Rockeffeler.

[@StephenAndrew777]

I love this guy.

[@neemnoa303]

It's funny that it seems nobody commenting on NSBM has actually listened to what these bands are saying or what their ideologies are. Ironically these commenters just have their presupposed idea about NSBM bands and are passing judgement without an ounce of knowledge on the subject. That's the prejudice they all claim to be so fervently against. The fact is that very few so called "nazi" or "NSBM" bands believe that we should live in an authoritarian state, or that we should be led by a dictator. 90% of these bands advocate pride in european culture, european pagan traditions, european ideals and european values. Not the values of the "left" and the french revolution but the values of the pagan tribes of old and that of Rome and Greece, those two mighty pillars of the whole western culture. Buf of course in this day and age, being immediately offended seems much more easier to people than spending a few minutes to learn about the other side's view, their ideas, their values and where they are coming from. People are fucking sheep, man...

[@kaliyuga4312]

I think it goes even deeper than that. NSBM isn't right wing music. It isn't even political music. The idea of National Socialism in the Metal context is very esoteric. NSBM rejects the alt-right as much as it rejects the left, because both are controlled by Zionist interests. Most people make the mistake of thinking NSBM is right-wing just because it opposes the left. It really isn't. NSBM bands don't like Geert Wilders and Donald Trump, because they are Zionist shills. NSBM bands are much more likely to identify with someone like Adhmadinejad (of Iran). Hendrik Moebus of Absurd expressed his admiration for Iran, and his staunch support for Palestine in many interviews. Capricornus of Graveland did that too. I think people fail to see that NSBM doesn't really share the ideology of many other subcultures. It is nothing like RAC or other white power music, and it is nothing like leftist music. It is very unique, because it does actually demonstrate a deeper respect for the native culture of the musician, AS WELL AS other cultures.It seems the are just as keen to encourage others to preserve their cultures too. I agree with you

[@Xpressible]

Whats the difference between a Nazi and a Jihadist? You guys are one and the same with some minor differences.

[@aaronrose7090]

Wasn’t Erik in dissection?

[@rroobbiinn96]

no, he only did some guest backing vocals on a demo track and a song on reinkaos. he also filled in as bass player on some shows 2005 - 2006. Watain's ex guitarist Set Teitan played in dissection's last lineup tho (2004 - 2006)

[@aaronrose7090]

@@rroobbiinn96 hey man thanks for telling me been having an argument with me mate and he said that Erik was in dissection I said yes but only in a demo and he was like no he was in the band for a while but thanks man for saying he was only in the band till2004-2006 thanks man and love your picture on your profile do you like mine anyway thanks 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@nkvd1606]

From what I've read he was/is in the same lucifinerian/satanic group Jon from dissection was in. Forgot the name.

[@aaronrose7090]

@@nkvd1606 I didn’t actually know that

[@aaronrose7090]

@@nkvd1606 so sad that Jon did do that

[@KungErik]

My name is Erik Danielsson. its me

[@zoey8624]

Do you actually like Watain or did you just type your name into the search bar and click the first video that showed up..?

[@rytkosenjussi6619]

I think I could not live without that information.

[@mustaphaeljouhari1861]

I will be in touch 🙂🙂🙂👍👍

[@loupnoir3647]

Me, I love all styles of black metal. NSBM is a good subgenre. 🖤

[@francielemaziero9650]

Great, Erik! FTW

[@Swedishoutlaw]

Dude literally said black metal wasn't political. That's why it was created in the first place, as a political weapon against the system

[@kawaiidestruktor7809]

ok this comment is cringe af

[@Swedishoutlaw]

@@kawaiidestruktor7809 I know but it's true

[@kawaiidestruktor7809]

@@Swedishoutlaw No, i mean, it's cringe because it's not true, like only between 3-5% of 1984-1994 included politics. Black metal was born, not created, being a misanthropic, chaotic, dark and raw style of metal, the bands usually played and composed black metal just to express hate and to expose their philosophical views, but politics was almost non existent in every black metal scene.

[@Swedishoutlaw]

@@kawaiidestruktor7809 Believe me both the Norwegian and the Swedish BM scene was very political. They had a lot of statements regarding race, culture, religion and governments

[@CactusJacksEar]

The band they were touring with at the time, Destroyer 666 are known white supremacists, so it obviously doesn't bother him too much!

[@Ronnie_McDoggle]

I didn't know Kyle from PurePwnage was in a black metal band these days 😋

[@tellydelete3541]

Safe-space-I-don't-want-to-offend-anyone Black Metal.

[@arjay4397]

Ya bro people who hate Nazis are just pussies who need a safe sapce. What have Nazis ever done that would warrant people hating them. And before you say it, no i dont think hes a nazi

[@JBguitar-cj8pc]

Nature Revenge Exactly.

[@JBguitar-cj8pc]

ArJay yeah you’re right but it’s a shame that 9 times out of 10 when someone says what you just said, they’re just radical left wing nutcases who in reality don’t care about human rights, they’re just a different side of the same coin as Nazis. THAT is why the “anti-nazis” get attacked so much. Because they’re retarded hypocrites who have absolutely no argument and zero idea what they’re even fighting. They’re just playing make believe at this point because fascism is no longer a major threat and anyone who thinks it is is just a fucking idiot who it trying too desperately hard to fit in. It’s really annoying honestly.

[@weatherman9212]

@@arjay4397 what have they done?

[@jjones74]

many redditors in the comments

[@thesupremenecroticdakimakura]

"I don't think metal should be a commentary on anything going on politically" I think Erik forgot the part where being able to play a guitar or sing or drum suddenly grants your political views more weight for some reason, we can't have this level of rational thinking now can we Also, of course the comments section would be like this. Sigh.

[@kasuaarikanava3446]

Sigh from Japan?

[@ambientalholocaust]

Give this man a beer.

[@fikonfraktare]

Give him a few more and he might say what he actually thinks.

[@Timmorrisjr]

What’s interesting is this was recorded before their whole SF fiasco and Set’s departure.

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Yep! Approximately a month before. I found an interview on Invisible Oranges, in which Erik is pretty direct about his disdain for Nazism, so that's where the question came from: www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-erik-danielsson-of-watain-2/

[@incognitomode2574]

There has been a witch hunt in black metal going on for a while now.

[@wg6889]

I forgot that he’s living in Sweden, u know the tolerant country were you can get physically assaulted for having the ‘wrong’ opinion

[@karpizzlefromjhofffilms682]

ᐁǾẄḠɅߓǾᐁ I’ve decided on my next tourist destination lmaooooo

[@amandusbjorklund7935]

I've lived in Sweden all my life and I've literally never seen that sort of behaviour before.

[@iwanttoforceavegantoeatmea7596]

Soyboy "black metal"

[@breakfastMcgull]

Ha, libtard pwnd with facts and logic, epic style.

[@actavisprime514]

I mean Nazis and Satan go together like peanut butter and jelly so it makes sense that they would like those guys.

[@mylerwilson4879]

Except satan isn’t real

[@herbertwest9626]

That's complete nonsense.

[@goddessfrost2668]

🤘♥🤘

[@Neuron_Thunder]

not a fan of his band at all, but totally agree with him, black metal should stand on its own, indifferent to "little ideologies" in BM hate and misanthrope tendencies used to be against everything, now its only against some lame ass taxi driver from Pakistan, but of course everything else is kool lol

[@samsonthemanson]

Talk about not wanting to admit to a problem. I liked black metal as a kid and NSBM pushed me away from the community. Refusing to admit there's a problem of this magnitude in the scene is tantamount to approval.

[@EMARTZ]

No one kicked you off from the "community" don't see it as a social group bc is not.. but yeah there are a lot of bands, musicians, and producers that are, were or indirectly had something to do with NSBM. Many of them apologized for a mistake of their years of youth but even some people will not accept that only the total cancellation of the band. Black Metal is being used for the agenda of some people right-left, and there is the problem of using it as a propaganda weapon, when it should be about music. But well aside from that, you can also find out lyrics about: depression, suicide, self-harm, hate, misanthropy, genocide, murder, satanism and so on is not a safe place that's why is called extreme and underground (or at least used to be).

[@ensnaredbyflesh1030]

Ok black metal tourist

[@MatSjo]

I hardly think Erik finds NSBM to be a problem the same way you do. Black metal should push people away, it’s at the very core of the genre. You might find your small circle of friends who enjoy it the same way you do but the genre is not some big welcoming community and shouldn’t be either.

[@Ricardo-dz9xf]

exactly

[@alextremodelnorte1905]

If he's not racist, I don't want to have anything to do with it.

[@TimBoykinGuitar]

He could join an evangelical church in southeast USA. He’d fit right in. 🤷‍♂️

[@dan-purec]

word-salad

[@GoroStern]

Invest in a lavalier mic, this holding the mic shit looks pretty lame.

[@Arpia-Hellas]

norske and sweeden are the most gay black metal countrys

[@masoodrizvi8505]

He is absolutely amazing

[@BballNintendo3]

No he’s not. He’s a devil worshipper so fuck him.

[@swinaecologist9610]

@@BballNintendo3 lmao

[@CactusJacksEar]

"BACKWARDS" his own words!!!

[@Mgla__]

01:41 he said trump :)

[@AggressiveTendencies]

Hahaha christ.

[@strigoimortii9714]

Yeah sure... And i'm spider-man...

[@stefanomojarraz1649]

Erick danielsson es mi ídolo 🤘🏻🛐😭

[@rainerszahn9651]

Erick danielsson es mi díldo🤘🏻🛐😭

[@industrialnations]

back to varg (thulean perspective)

[@ramseszesati3994]

this black metal thing its very ancient. Watain are from very far, those guys are northdics, their undestanings about chistianity are very unknow to the americans and some europena coutries, Vikins are from very distant lands, we know much about them.

[@Rovization]

Atlantis and hyperborea.

[@herbertwest9626]

Ancient? It's from the mid 1980s.

[@gomezaddams8781]

He’s awesome

[@Blackmetalmusicguru]

lost all respect for him i went to see them live in march and i tried to meet him two other guys were waiting to meet him and he showed up but didnt even say hi or anything he walked past us like two or three times. he seems like he hates people i dont know why

[@Szopjale1]

Member of the Misanthropic Luciferian Order (who are literally believing everyone should die along with our whole universe) seems like he hates people? No way.

[@kronoscamron7412]

lol yes he hates people... surprised?

[@hectorflorrissey]

I don’t know how this acclaimed artist who travels the world and meets literally hundreds of people every week will live without your respect.

[@Finn-gx6ir]

@Nature Revenge you're forgetting jon from dissection man. Erik came from that cool kids club. not to mention jon kidnapped that one dude and killed him. me and my brother always say to each other "Erik loves life, if he really was like jon he woulda killed himself a long time ago" No one was serious like jon from dissection he was the real deal. Anyways have a nice day

[@Finn-gx6ir]

@Nature Revenge he played in dissection lol

[@challengemusictv]

He’s clearly a liberal and doesn’t want to get laughed at lol

[@joshsessler2871]

So you hold fascist sympathizing views but care too much about your bands success to admit it, got it

[@OpethTheater3]

The communists hid their beliefs for decades and look where that got them?

[@ronanbueno2886]

Said much without saying anything

[@odium1188]

There is black metal and nacional socialist black metal don't mix please black metal is a belief and whom are in this know what I am talking about. BM is a music like thrash death metal if you have ever listened black metal you already know it.

[@jensajenerator]

musical expression is always very far from what people really are. I've never considered Watain singly as individuals ... it's just music. sometimes good ...sometimes bad. Do u really care of his point of view? Extreme music can be confort and supports authoritarian ideologies. For some who want find fertile soil..when you tell me that it does not exist is bullshit

[@christopherdavis8248]

its a nice infantile dodge. basically, black metal should indulge itself in childish fantasies and not be bothered with the real world. I guess this guy lives on another planet because down here, things ARE getting worst not better which is why people ARE sensitive about glorifying fascism through music and video games. "its not my fault". no, but doing nothing about it or ignoring your place in the world makes you culpable. only a child doesn't take responsibility.

[@christopherdavis8248]

well....I get that everyone like entertainment but goddamn, between the American government and the Israeli Zionist wanting to destroy iran maybe through an nuclear exchange no one will be left on earth.....no more metal. I just wish people would take history and world events as seriously as their escapist entertainment. jesus, I listen to all metal, look at naked women, take drugs from time to time, watch movies and still find time to find out whats going on in the news. Sweden by the way after world war II took the ideas democracy from the americans and actually put them into practice and not only have a clean country but also has some of the most educated citizens in the world.

[@Typhoon0627]

Settle down John Lennon... Black Metal isn't about world peace and social issues... you're not gonna see black metal bands covering "Imagine" trying to unite the world while yoko bangs on a drum. If you don't agree with the lyrical content, don't listen to it, and go about your day. People are entitled to their opinions and beliefs whether you agree with them or not, and if someone wants to express it in their music, good for them. No one says you have to listen to it. Part of "coexisting" is understanding there are people who don't want to coexist with you. I personally don't give a shit what anyone believes... I keep my beliefs and ideologies to myself, more people should do the same.

[@Empiricist14]

Boss there are photos of your bandmates doing nazi salute XD

[@swinaecologist9610]

Just one and he got fired

[@AdolfStalin]

Watain is just boneless Dissection

[@513metalpun2]

Adolf Stalin 👏👏👏👏👏

[@513metalpun2]

Adolf Stalin I thought that was supposed to be the clapping emoji? Im in full agreement with you haha

[@AdolfStalin]

did your father smoke pole?

[@513metalpun2]

How about we just breath for a sec and not fight with each other cause its the Internet and we'll never actually have the chance to beat the shit out of each other?

[@masoodrizvi8505]

You're so freakin dumb, you tool. Get your facts out.

[@robertg305]

Interesting thoughts

[@refrencetofire]

completely disagree, everything is political

[@aSandwich.13]

Holy grain, the virgins in this comment section.

[@cheat123]

how can you tell theyre virgins?

[@ensnaredbyflesh1030]

Was saving myself for your mama 🙏🙏 🙏

[@hengessalicht4832]

"Aggressive tendencies"...here is mine : everyone is equal before life xD xD. Hes nervous. Empty words. Unclear. I guess , with Trump already in power (one year since date of video), hes bound to say calming stuff. Himself was a "victim" of society and political pressure he says black metal should be detached from.

[@souffled]

You are not inspired by anything except the devil within you. You will not appreciate this until much later in your life.

[@user-bm3ts2ql6s]

I'm not a satanist and actually believe in God, but I don't know that satan is inspiring or cares anything about this guy... Satan is in halls of power where wars are started, genocides are plotted, children are molested en-masse, not in some bar on a black metal stage. Get real.

[@ClandestineFaith]

Erik protecting the money bags by being anything but an extremist. Didn’t make one comment about Nazi’s. He knew it would conjure up the conversation on why Set Teitan was kicked out for doing an ancient Roman Salute (Where Seig Heil was invented from) in a band photo (he’s Italian). He knows there’s no way to protect his image verbally through such a subservient act dictated by the softies of the world.

[@LouisWinthorpe622]

Twatain

[@RockyRMR]

This guy is corny as hell.

[@skingolem4456]

Fire your band mate over that? As Lemmy would say; I stand up for my friends, if you don't, then we have a problem. Gay

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Disappointing, just like their music.

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

@@SatanenPerkele Man, I don't know why they're so big. Just revamped, derivative black metal that's been done a thousand times before. People just get into their "mass" at shows, I guess. And brag that they got splashed with pig's blood. Soooo edgy! Fucking posers.

[@user-bm3ts2ql6s]

Ya, your both right... they do suck.

[@nakedbeekeeper9610]

Look here, I'm not white and a huge bm fan. I've been enjoying this music ever since i heard it in the late 90s. But i have to concede that bm is purely a "white" art. Yes, there are good non-white bands, yes, i know Weapon, Ayat, and Magane are great bands but these are insignificant exceptions. The bulk of this art is performed by white people, with themes that mostly focus on their survival as a race.

[@Gameking40]

Strange seeing a non-white dude with a Nazi symbol in his avatar.

[@nakedbeekeeper9610]

@@Gameking40 It's a European symbol, learn the difference. And you can consider it an instance of white culture appropriation if you like 😗

[@Moonchilddbk]

It is a Slavic pagan symbol

[@immonkey2074]

and this is a problem how? Rap music is dominated by african-american culture, and there are plenty of times where artists talk about the black man's survival as a race (mostly the oppression they experience). I don't see how a form of art consisting mostly of a certain race is a bad thing.

[@nakedbeekeeper9610]

@@immonkey2074 the fact that you understood what I said that way is fascinating to me, it's also a sad sign of the times we live in.

[@stevenbentley3491]

Nazi Nazi Nazi Boo Hoooo get over it

[@lugapandemonium]

well lovely