Album Review: Watain – The Agony and Ecstasy of Watain (Nuclear Blast)

Since they crawled out of hell back in 1998, Watain have been creating uncompromising black metal devilry ever since. Delivering a constant shock and awe experience, both on record and live in the flesh, the band are gearing up to release another slab of black metal magic with their greatly anticipated seventh studio album. Called ‘The Agony and Ecstasy of Watain’, it will be released on April 29th, 2022 via Nuclear Blast.

If there’s one thing everyone, the lovers and the haters, can agree on, it’s that Watain do exactly what Watain want to do. A band that refuses to conform, covets controversy and embraces the absurd rumours with a dark indifference. Watain mean what they do, and even if it’s not to your liking, the genuine and earnest way in which they go about their business is undeniable.

Though none of that should suggest Watain aren’t averse to a bit of experimentation or willing to change things up a tad. Here, for example, we get the first Watain album to ever be recorded live. Something that really comes across throughout as the rawness conjures up the experience that is live Watain.

It’s a rawness that enriches Watain’s black metal ferocity as the band take us through dark and dingy experiences. Ten in total and lasting for around 50 minutes. That’s a lot of fire to take but Watain know exactly how to hold the attention while consistently and constantly delivering something chaotic.

From the opening explosion of black metal savagery and speed that is Ecstasies in Night Infinite and The Howling. To the more methodical and more rhythmically pleasing darkness-infused Serimosa, Black Cunt’s unflinching, demoralising assault and the eye-watering horror show that is Leper’s Grace. Watain are reaching a new level of wretched darkness and savagery on this new album.

Watain doing what Watain do best and if you’ve loved this band every step on their twisted path, then The Agony and Ecstasy of Watain won’t change that.

A short piece of gothic piano and guitar soloing, Not Sun nor Man nor God is a chance to take a deep cold breath as Before the Cataclysm unleashes a torrent of electrifying heaviness. Though, this might be one of the most accessible Watain tracks ever, even if it is undeniably black.

We Remain though, this is a special track as it extolls the virtues of gothic grandeur for something that is chilling, dark and haunting. Yet, it is also as pretty as it gets for a band like Watain. A truly surprising track from a band not always well versed in surprising.

It’s back to a more traditional Watain expulsion with the penultimate track, Funeral Winter before this career highlight wraps up with Septentrion. A finale that is vigorous and veracious, exactly what it needed to be. Exactly what Watain do and do damn well.

Watain – The Agony and Ecstasy of Watain Full Track Listing:

1. Ecstasies in Night Infinite
2. The Howling
3. Serimosa
4. Black Cunt
5. Leper’s Grace
6. Not Sun nor Man nor God
7. Before the Cataclysm
8. We Remain
9. Funeral Winter
10. Septentrion

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