ERIK DANIELSSON (WATAIN) | NFR with ROBB FLYNN

Erik sits down with Robb for an in-depth chat about the bizarre circumstances of their recent tour cancellation, the satanic blood rituals that go into their show, why his favorite band is Motörhead, their great new album “The Agony And Ecstasy Of Watain”, why Metallica is still great, the power of a live concert, and why it’s good to make enemies.
#NFR 123
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[@mikedegarmo3203]

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!! I've never seen Eric in longer than maybe a 20 minute interview. This is AWESOME!!!!!!! Nice one Robb.

[@burningtheevidence8038]

I think it makes a big difference that Rob is not some Journalist but another metal musician that went through the same highs and lows and with who he shared the stage as well. Also it helps that Rob is such an open, fun guy that is still a music fan.

[@robertpetre9378]

It always makes me really happy whenever Eric talks about fields of a Nephilim and Bauhaus as a Goth and metal fan because darkness doesn’t always have to be Black metal it can also be Gothic rock inspired.

[@intergalacticspacecanoe4659]

or ambient. or whatever, really. it isnt in the genre, it is all about the spirit the piece is written in/with

[@robertpetre9378]

@@intergalacticspacecanoe4659 That’s true but it’s definitely true that Gothic rock has played a part in inspiring different black metal bands even Carpathian Forest did a cover of a forest by The Cure

[@intergalacticspacecanoe4659]

@@robertpetre9378 oh most def, most def. many genre or, heh, "the spirits" we know today are direct results of generational pingpong match that started around the times the instruments, full stop, did.

[@joolz666]

Take away the distortion or whatever and a lot of Black Metal sounds like goth. As someone who grew up in West Yorkshire in the 80s this pleases me no end.

[@joolz666]

@@robertpetre9378 Taake's done "Cold" by the Cure as well as 'Heartland' by Sisters Of Mercy. Bunch of dodgy old goths, the lot of them! 😉

[@KarlRock]

Awesome podcast. I saw them last weekend in India at the Bangalore Open Air Festival. Crazy show. I was at that Australian festival, too; it was called Soundwave (2012). The promoter eventually made it too big and went bankrupt and didn't pay a bunch of bands including Slipknot $1.6M, Soundgarden $2.1M, and the Smashing Pumpkins $1.2M. It was a great festival while it lasted.

[@jamdwhi]

Awesome episode! It was cool to see Erik not being in full character, and actually smiling and talking like regular people do. Hearing him be thankful for his parents etc was cool. I wouldn't have expected him to even talk about a soft subject like that. Let alone admit that he had a wholesome upbringing, being the edge lord that he is. Im a Watain fan btw, but even I can admit his persona gets a little silly. So it was cool to see a human side of him.

[@Zentrixu]

I agree with you but its obvious that Eric is more grounded in recent years in his interviews. All that reminded me of celtic Frost

[@dannykitchen1699]

I was at the Soundwave you are talking about in Australia , both your bands absolutely nailed it , great days perth and sydney. Had a couple of vodkas with Watain in sydney , nice dudes. Killer interview Robb

[@BlackWolflord]

Gotta respect both Erik and Robb for taking the time to talk about the band.

[@TT-df9hp]

Awesome. Would love to see more interviews with black metal musicians.

[@Tdrgv512]

I saw Watain opening up for Morbid Angel a few years back in Minnesota. When they got on stage it was like a whole new territory for me, felt like I was gonna get stabbed that night 😂 I've always wondered how Erik was as a person. Seems like the most chill dude and very nice. Great talk guys!

[@nipulkradmsinatagras8293]

*Happy to see Erik healthy & back in action.*

[@meikelelverwirrto753]

Seen them first time in 2004 with dissection and followed them since - and this was the most interesting and most sympathic interview I ever heard oder read of Erik. Thanks Robb!

[@yaschenkoyar6088]

wow, you was at Dissection show. You’re cool

[@meikelelverwirrto753]

@@yaschenkoyar6088 what’s you problem?

[@yaschenkoyar6088]

@@meikelelverwirrto753 wtf, i said that you’re cool and lucky, that you saw Dissection lol

[@meikelelverwirrto753]

@@yaschenkoyar6088 sorry for misunderstanding. Got the impression it was sarcasm. Anyways, don’t wanted to sound cool or to show of anything. Just wanted to say that I „know“ Watain and therefore Erik since then and i never heard so much interesting stuff out of his mouth in one interview. Sorry for being a dick ;) BTW: Dissection was to date the best concert ever.

[@mvd3517]

I think I stod beside Erik on that Metallica show when he was 10 years old. I remember that kid playing air guitar and singing along on all tracks. I remember I was thinking ”cool that he also knows all the old songs”.

[@jasongollihue8103]

Incredible interview with one of the most interesting frontmen. Great job Robb!

[@jedimind_79]

Great interview, I have never seen Erik in an interview longer then ten minutes, this was close to an hour and a half!! I was bummed to say the least when Watain pulled out of the tour. Hoping that this is straightened out by August so I can see them at Psycho Las Vegas.

[@reezy8899]

Dude this is like headbangers ball meets talk radio! My favorite pod right now 🤘🏼🤘🏼 hope to catch a machine head show soon!! 🍻 keep up the great work

[@crimsondeath7468]

The best interview i have seen with Erik. I always suspected that Erik was the main composer of their music so that was very interasting to hear

[@Swaggycat_yt]

They Rode On is one of Watains best songs its no surprise its as popular as it is, Watain is an incredible band, so when they make a song that isnt anything like they have have ever done, its going to be fantastic because they are fantastic

[@magdalena_g]

The first person I see when I wake up on Friday is Robb Flynn (NFR). The last person I see before I fall asleep on Friday is Robb Flynn (EHH). Friday is definitely my lucky day...🤪🖤🤘🔥🎸☠️

[@RobHellfire666]

I too LOVE the cure!!! 😎🤘 I'm so glad you mentioned them and talked about them at such length.. The Cure is still to this day one of the best concerts I've ever seen, including and combined with all the metal shows I've seen. I've seen Watain 5 times. The Cure is side by side with Watain in quality of live experiences. Over fucking whelming emotions. 🔥🖤🔥

[@JotaTondi]

great conversation !! I love how a lot of artists got a different attitude or vibe when they have this type of long chats with another artist.

[@christopherk111]

SUPERB!!!,,and i cannot agree more with ,,"the song that represents WATAIN the best is ,,REAPING DEATH",,,,,

[@tx2117]

Thank you so much for this🔥🤘

[@northcabinent4222]

Robb, what a compelling interview. Didn't know you did a podcast, I'm in it for the long haul now, this interview with Erik was very informative. Thank you.

[@ettnollbajen9945]

Makes me proud to be Swedish ,great music scene and smart musicians like Erik . Good stuff man,thanks for this!

[@Lord_Aghast]

I’ve always wondered what type of person Erik is. Watain is somewhat shrouded in mystery so hearing him speak candidly filled in some gaps I’ve wanted to know.

[@TerminatorJesse]

Might be just me, but I feel like Erik is either more relaxed in these phone/skype interviews or he has given up a bit of that "tough guy, fuck the world" mindset during pandemic.

[@albinlindvall6165]

​@@TerminatorJesse I think it's a little bit of both as well as just simply being older and maturing both as a person and as a satanist. Because while I do agree that Erik seems much more relaxed and, you know, more open minded in these new interviews I don't think he is any less devoted to his religious views. The same goes for the band for that matter.

[@crimsondeath7468]

​@@TerminatorJesse I noticed a big change with him and his whole attitude after 2013 when Selim from "the devils blood "who was a very good friend of Erik commited suicide

[@TerminatorJesse]

@@albinlindvall6165 Oh yeah for sure, I'm not saying that he is any less die hard about the religious and spiritual side of things than before. But I guess we have to wait until "face to face" interviews are starting to happen again if the old grumpy Erik comes back.

[@Timmorrisjr]

@@TerminatorJesse I noticed a change around the time The Wild Hunt came out. He always did seem pretty serious and stand-offish. The first time I met him I was kinda nervous based on all the interviews I had seen and read, but he was super polite and just a really cool guy. I also think it depends on the type of interviewer he gets. When you get a guy who just wants to talk about the blood and the smell, it could get old pretty quick.

[@thebat666]

I was at that soundwave festival and my band toured Japan with Watain. It's all coming together!

[@gjgp89]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! This was amazing!

[@crimsondeath1349]

Stoked to watch this in full. Thank you!🖤 TTD 1770

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

WOAH IM 1769

[@adrianstemp9871]

I've just seen watain for the first time in London and was blown away by how good the music and production was. I wanted to know more and listen more so thanks for creating this content

[@alialink2890]

As a black metal fan let’s go!!! Love Watain sm man. Loved this interview. ❤️

[@LouTheLoo]

Thanks for uploading this, finally an in depth, open, honest conversation between friends! HAIL WATAIN

[@satanicpanic1313]

My favorite band of all time is Dissection! Watain has kept it going for me! Met Jon in 97 and still havent seen Watain! Coming with Mayhem to Toronto and hope I can figure out a way to meet Erik and have him sign my Liber Azerate👺Thanks Rob I met you years ago with Biohazzard and Slayer at the Collesium in Toronto I bought my first Machinehead shirt that night and it has been on my back for dozens of shows and finally had to retire it!

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Wow

[@wastelander1015]

1:51:26 completely agreed with Erik's pov. Filmaker Albert Maysles once said that “Tyranny is the deliberate removal of nuance".

[@AlexVan1985]

Killer conversation 🤘🏻🔥

[@dimmufrost666]

I admire their closeness as not only a band but a UNIT.

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Absolute UNIT

[@RedBeard21]

Stoked for this one!!!

[@Johnalbinm]

Great Interview. Best ever with Watain, I guess. Keep it up!

[@billcowan5539]

Awesome interview 👍. I am a huge fan of Watain and I just picked up the new album and it is Freaking Awesome 🔥. Black Metal Masterpiece 😈🤘🤘

[@satanicpanic1313]

Serimosa sounds like Enslaved more so than Queensryche! Ethica Odini comes to mind or the Beacon! Awesome song Watain has filled my crave for Dissection! Was a huge loss when Jon trancended into chaos 👺hope to see you back in Toronto at some point!

[@Creepy999_]

Really bummed about the tour was really looking forward to see The Howling played live...

[@FUNKSHUN510]

All Respect to Erik/WATAiN and All they do, not into that genre, but Respect them. But this was a Good one, Erik had a lot of good/interesting things to say, and always, Robb bringing the best out of these guys! ‼️MACHiNE FUKN HEAD‼️

[@geirholte1222]

As a huge Mercyful Fate fan, I was loving the direction this took :D And I agree with Daniel; if I see someone with a MF shirt, I give them the benefit of doubt haha.

[@Federico.el.Noruego]

Killer interview Hail from Norway🤘🏼

[@Nattens767]

Great interview with Erik, and I must say while he's always interesting to listen to, it's nice to see him here out of his usual super serious persona.

[@luciferiankanahary5693]

Niiicee!! This video was such a vibe. Sending love y`all!

[@TheEnderBand]

Erik would probably like 100 years by the Cure- it sounds like a black metal song haha

[@nihilist1280]

Woah, didn't see this coming.

[@seanmorgan9020]

Jaysis, I had no idea this was the crossover I needed.

[@nephrenqayin254]

Awesome interview Robb 🤘🏿! Now I can understand Erik's opinion on the song "They Rode On", but I find that song is very spiritual plus the music video made it more profound. From the vast majority of songs I love from this band, "They Rode One" and "We Remain" are very close to me. Beside, "They Rode On" in my opinion, is essential to the album's title The Wild Hunt and its concept. But that's just me.

[@MatSjo]

Watain nerver released a music video for They Rode On.

[@nephrenqayin254]

@@MatSjo my mistake. Looks like a music video but you're absolutely right. Those scenes are from the Opus Diaboli concert DvD.

[@nephrenqayin254]

Still....the combination of the scenes with the song is excellent giving a more spiritual approach, don't you agree?

[@isaacjamesbaker]

This was such a fun listen! 🤘🤘

[@TheCrucialMetalistMrToxic]

Right on this is pretty cool. Watain’s in my top 3 favourite bands. Mayhem. Mgła. Watain.

[@kylejamescromwell4742]

That's a solid top 3 ther bud

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Lol

[@fergalholmes]

Great episode and that ‘Hellraiser’ track he’s talking about rules!!!

[@chizz76z]

Which one is that tho?

[@Hell_Inc]

Scandinavian black metal dudes are the real deal. They don't fuck around. The whole thing isn't a gimmick to them.

[@metal-adventures-joerg]

Maiden and Priest together on Tour...my wet dream for years (i would do the whole tour if this would happening)!!!!

[@darrenbrown7037]

The new album is so fucking good! Very powerful and inspired.

[@theironforce3000]

Appreciate this interview . Gives us a better insight of what the reason was for pulling out of the tour this month. Although I reckon there's more to it.. This isn't the first time a band has their phone searched and called tk the side.. To all the global UG bands with sus content in your phone - remove it and save into cloud /drive at your personal home comp! Unreal...

[@ChristinaEarlymorn]

Watain is one of my fav bands

[@magnuszetterqvist5936]

Thanks 👍😘🇸🇪

[@natecowan6913]

No way! you're killin it on these last few man!

[@kimeklund8880]

Wow great talk 🤘🔥

[@Celestial_Being666]

Rob you should teach ur son sum Apocalyptica 🤘🏽 Legendary cello musicians

[@bernarddickson3675]

Not a big Machine fan, but love the podcast. Robb seems a really positive guy with a love of metal.

[@oddbod616]

Hail Watain 🤘🔥🤘 Live show is life changing 🤘🔥🤘 Thanks for this 🤘🔥🤘The Cure Pornography ain’t poppy “it doesn’t matter if we all die” isn’t the start of a pop album 🤘🔥🤘

[@MercurialAscent]

44:00 it's great to be able to hear the creative process

[@petermoes1668]

1:25:45 Rob saw Metallica opening for Raven. Erik looking: w…t…f.

[@QuietProphetTheWickedWarlock]

So why do people hate Robb Flynn? He seems like a really nice guy and very passionate about music I’d like to hang out with him

[@illuddivinus3309]

Because he was one of the first metal head front men to come out opposed to Racism in metal - specifically against the infamous Phil Anselmo Nazi salute.

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

@@illuddivinus3309 wow is your screen handle based on the infanous album by morbid angel???

[@illuddivinus3309]

@@devilscheeseburger50K nope- try again.

[@brittanymwancientlight]

🖤enjoy your videos I hope to see more later on in the future.

[@joemartinez6025]

Dude listen to their SWORN TO THE DARK ALBUM. Their best album. Fuckin DARKNESS on that record. It’s a front to back banger.

[@guitarplayersparadise520]

I limn thy brilliant potency in FIRE

[@sinisterking6009]

@@guitarplayersparadise520 OMG i always loved that line with the glorious melody kicking in!

[@cesarfuentes13]

Awesome!! 🤘🏻🔥 Hail Watain!!!

[@griselame]

Was expecting a typical black metal guy... Turns out he's a very insightful, almost philosophical kind of guy, with a bit of self-deprecating humor. Cool interview. Also a guy who loves the Hollowman EP can't be bad in my book!

[@tonguelover6666]

awesome interview, Erik is great as person as well, other than incredible artist that he is; the new album gonna be another watain masterpiece, clearly. Cheers :)

[@MoreBud-Angel]

Does the show title come with a flat bill cap and a tear drop tattoo?

[@joshuayettou3552]

I read (listened to on Audible) Rob Halfords book "Confess" thanks to you recommending it on a prior podcast of yours Robb (must've been the Glen Tipton one?). It was really great! The cocaine and homosexual stories were pretty wild 😂 I have 2 credits left on my Audible account. I'd love for you all to recommend me some audio books to listen to! I already have Dave Mustaines, Duff McKagen of G N R, Alice in Chains, Kurt Cobain/Nirvana, Danny Trejo has an amazing book, Dave Grohl, Mark Lanegan (from Seattle's Screaming Trees "Sing Backwards and Weep" is probably the best rock bio I've ever listened to by far) and a few others. Thanks in advance y'all. Much love!

[@guitarplayersparadise520]

The Long hard road out ov hell, definetely

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Listen to a real novel

[@d_walsh]

What year was that Australian festival yall mention ?

[@Kelly_Cook]

Ben Duerr (the singer of Shadow of Intent) is a cool ass dude. I would love to see them on your podcast.

[@Ca11mero]

The older Erik gets, the more he reminds me of Fenriz haha. Cool interview though! Maybe find someone who has been involved with a lot of projects? There are quite a few black metal guitarists etc here in Sweden that has been involved with a shitload of projects and there are very few interviews with them.

[@BlackGrave]

Hellyea 🍻🍻🍻

[@MarioMaione]

WATAIN FOREVER.

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Wow im 1593

[@paultaddayphotography7205]

On Priest/Maiden - IM was, is and will always be bigger than JP. Both AMAZING bands mind you. But Maiden just has something extra special.

[@paultaddayphotography7205]

"CHICKENBUCKET!" LMFAO!!

[@rkdrumss]

"We build cathedrals to our pain, Establish monuments to WATAIN!!"

[@RobHellfire666]

Ironic.. you'd think more people would die at a GG Alin show or something like that, than a "pearl Jam" show.... 🤔😕

[@llm4187]

Priest is my husband’s favorite band, he says without K.K. It isn’t Priest. I disagree, without Halford, it wouldn’t be Priest.

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Oh wow 👌

[@llm4187]

They ‘Kicked a hole in the sky,’ Robb!

[@Allinguts]

Ive been trying to see Watain live for years, when i finally got the chance the wonderful Us immigration laws said “nop”.

[@INTOTHEPIT]

Angel Corpse!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!

[@sickrick2742]

Absolutely ridiculous what's happening with the Visas.. And a huge reason why many bands don't tour stateside. It's out of hand, the amount of personal prejudices and liberties taken towards touring musicians from overseas.

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Yea poor rockstars, right?

[@d_walsh]

They live in the woods

[@GOODWILL29]

Great interview with Erik very detail interview. Perhaps Next guest Corey Taylor??

[@ianswift3521]

1:04:21 KREATOR - PLEASURE TO KILL

[@RobHellfire666]

Back before covid ruined everyone's lives, back in 2019/2020 there was serious talk of a Judas priest/ Iron Maiden co- headlining tour.. 😁 That would have been absolutely fucking amazing. Thankfully though I've seen both at least albeit individually

[@truthskr7127]

Never forget who was behind that.

[@RobHellfire666]

@@truthskr7127 Behind what?

[@stefan86wtf]

Good catch. Now get Chino Moreno next ;)

[@kent6619]

I missed Watain at the Mayhem show. I'll say it again: you should've painted your skin brown and grabbed a kid from the polleros in Mexico and drug your gear across the southern border and you would've been golden.What a fuckin' shit show this whole situation really is. Fucking pathetic. Come to the U.S. as soon as you can. Can't wait! The first time I saw Watain was in Philly. The lights were down and I felt something wet on my skin and I heard a girl scream "what the fuck?" The lights came up, the first song started, and I looked down and there were red streams on my arms and clothes.

[@berizont]

What? Pornography might be the darkest album of Cure, where do you hear the shitty pop stuff they sometimes fell into? "A strange day" might be the only popy single, but the rest ("Cold", "Siamese Twins", "Figurehead", "One hundred years") are just depressing, coldwave-esque songs. "Disintegration" might still be the best introduction, with masterpieces like "Prayers for rain", "Same deep waters as you", "Plain song" and so on. Maybe you thought of another album instead of Pornography like Wish or whatever? Anyways, nice interview. Hail Watain!

[@motorhead7004]

Hey rob u want to hear a track without taking a breath lol. If u haven't listened to MEGADETH song "liar" u should. Amazing track. Not sure if its possible it would b awesome if u could get DAVE MUSTAINE on you're show. Cheers

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

Lol

[@ChristIsRisen33]

Interesting dude for sure.

[@raskthenehkroskeptic]

FTW/TDD WD#1687 We will be ready when the visas come through.

[@bobrivera7711]

WFFW TTD!

[@matthewmastemanihasa6099]

FTW666TTD #1436

[@devilscheeseburger50K]

1686 here

[@tomsmullen6117]

Mate there is no comparison between Priest and Maiden Maiden are massive don't get me wrong I love priest have been a fan since Ram it down but Maiden are massive Priest are not that big shame but its true

[@toke7342]

😢😢😢

[@Roadycore]

So... you're feeling the whole festival vibe again now then, or is Graspop paying you so much money that it'sworth it again?

[@davidloter5391]

Shouldve asked Eric when was the last time he literally rode a rollercoaster.