Sometimes there are albums where the first note just clicks and you know immediately that all expectations have been more than fulfilled. WATAIN’s new epic “The Agony And Ecstasy Of Watain” falls into exactly this category, there’s no need to beat around the bush. The band doesn’t hesitate either when they start with “Ecstasies In The Night” like there’s no tomorrow and sonically warps the listener into the legendary era of black metal during the 1990s.
Only time will tell if “The Agony And Ecstasy Of Watain” is the band’s best album, but the group has certainly never sounded better. Longtime producer Tore Stjerna has given the album, which was recorded live for the first time by the entire cast, an incredibly crisp and at the same time sublime sound that perfectly captures the elemental force of a WATAIN show. No matter what insane frenzy the band falls into, the sound always remains finely nuanced, making the smallest subtleties audible. Regardless of whether it’s crazy guitar leads, shimmering riffing, raging blast beats or majestic melodies, “The Agony And Ecstasy Of Watain” remains transparent and easy-going despite all the musical complexity, because even the smallest details never disappear in the thunderstorm of sound thanks to the detailed production.
WATAIN aren’t one of those acts to over-crowd, which is true for gigs and albums alike. Accordingly, WATAIN always seem extremely focused, this time the group manages to bundle all facets of their previous work and presents 10 tracks that are among the best in the band’s history. For me, WATAIN’s latest epic is without question one of the best black metal albums of this millennium.