Erik Danielsson, frontman for notorious Swedish black metal collective, Watain, sat  down with Machine Head's Robb Flynn 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.

Watain were recently  been forced to drop off the upcoming North American tour with Mayhem and Midnight. A message from the band can be found below.

Says Watain: "We regret to inform you all that, due to reasons entirely beyond our control, we’re forced to cancel our participation in the upcoming US Tour with Mayhem and Midnight, for which we were due to leave tomorrow.

"We have just been informed that the US Embassy have decided to launch an additional, undisclosed “administrative process”  in relation to Watain's visa applications. We’ve been told that this investigation could go on for months and that we might not get a reply until the tour is over. Since we have not been given any additional information about why this is taking place, how long it’ll take, or if visas will eventually be approved, it leaves us with no choice but to pull out of the tour.

"The same embassy has previously approved our working visa applications for every US tour, each of the 8 times we have applied. Preparing for a tour like this takes an enormous amount of work by the band and our crew. The merch has been produced, ticket buyers have made plans, and the crew relies on the jobs that the tour provides. It is a devastating blow to any band, but to the authorities in charge it seems to hold no significance.

"To our loyal fans and followers; we had truly been looking forward to stand before you all again. We invested all we had for this one. We are working hard on setting things straight and our intention is to re-schedule the North American dates for early 2023.  Refunds are available at point of purchase.

"Finally, we wish Mayhem and Midnight a killer tour regardless."

Watain recently unveiled "Serimosa", the second single from their upcoming new studio album, The Agony & Ecstasy Of Watain, which will be released on April 29.

"Serimosa" sees a shift in pace from its furious predecessor "The Howling", heading towards more of a gloomy and Gothic landscape, yet bearing the unmistakable black mark of Watain. Lyrically, its contemporary acuteness and prophetic quality is just as unnerving as it is comforting.

Listen to the song here, and watch a lyric video below.

E. Danielsson (vocals) comments: "'Serimosa' tells of the electric notion of the coming of a great power. The appearance of cracks in the dam that holds the flood of the great sea. A visitor from the beyond, crossing the threshold into the material world. Just like "Watain" - "Serimosa" is a word/name of power communicated out of unknown origin, appearing into the world sans history, to be approached with thought and reverence. Its linguistic root may be traced from the latin word Seri ("serum") along with Dolorosa ("pain") Nebulosa ("starfog") Lacrimosa ("tearfilled"), as if those words and their meanings were spoken as one. In her hand she holds the stern light of renewal, of transformation, of merciless cleansing. Thematically, Serimosa also holds similarities to the fiery Samhara aspect of Nataraja, the doomsday dance of Shiva marking the dissolution of order at the end of an eon. May she bring you far and deep."

Pre-order The Agony & Ecstasy Of Watain album here.

Available album formats:

- Ltd. Deluxe Gatefold LP in Slipcase (incl. the album on CD)
* Grey Marbled (667, NB mailorder excl.)
* Dark Red Marbled (666, Band excl.)

- LP
* Black
* Green w/ Rainbow Splatter (2000, EU retail)
* Solid Red (300, via EMP)
* Pink (300, NB mailorder)
* Blue Marbled (300, UK)
* Solid Green (300, Seasons Of Mist)
* Transp. Blue (300, Levykauppa Äx & Sound Polluution)
* Solid Grey (300, Sweden Rock)
* Dark Purple (300, Napalm)
* White (300, US Retail)
* Red w/ Rainbow Splatter (1800, US retail & NB US mailorder)
* Green Marbled (300, NB US mailorder)

- CD Digipak

- Digital Album

Tracklisting:

"Ecstasies In Night Infinite"
"The Howling"
"Serimosa"
"Black Cunt"
"Leper's Grace"
"Not Sun Nor Man Nor God"
"Before The Cataclysm"
"We Remain"
"Funeral Winter"
"Septentrion"

"The Howling" video: