ION INDIE MAGAZINE January 2016, Volume 20 | Page 61

I've shot a ton of Metal shows over the past 18 months, but
what I witnessed on November 11, 2015, at TRICKY FALLS here
in El Paso, Texas, well, let’s say, I'll never look at a Metal show
in the same light! I had the honor, if you will, of photographing
the Swedish Black Metal Band WATAIN…and what a show
these guys put on! They have been around since ‘98, their first
album dropped in ‘99 (which was a live album) and there
have been a half dozen since. They're all from Uppsala,
Sweden, and ERIK DANIELSSON has been the front man from
day one.
Watain has a worldwide
following that are very
devoted--so
candles,
incense and blood are
brought to be used as
props for every show they
do. In other words--the band is counting on these
committed individuals…which are called the "Black
Metal Milicia”--to smuggle these items into every show.
The stage is decorated with animal carcasses, hog heads
impaled on crosses and of course, candles and incense.
I could go on and on about this stage production, but it
was dark and gloomy…and that's an understatement!
This is European Black Metal at is finest. These guys eat,
sleep and breathe Black Metal. I realized this as soon as I
met the band at the bus--make no mistake, you can tell
immediately they are the real deal!
Now, let’s get to the blood…first of all, Erik is covered in blood
as well as the other members of the band. But during the 4th
song, Erik takes a Viking helmet full of blood and throws it all
over the front row.
And to not make it any more weirder, but these people love it!
They are rubbing all over their faces and arms, wearing this
blood as if it were a badge of honor.
And I don't think I have to go into how this just sets this audience
into a frenzy. I also want to add this blood is cattle and or hogs.
In 2014 at a Brooklyn show, the blood that was spewed all over
the crowd caused a large portion of people to start vomiting...
that was not the case here in El Paso.
Watain put on one hell of a show. Good times were had by
all…especially those covered in blood.