Review WATAIN ‘Die in Fire – Live From Hell’

Watain has already released several live albums and these days a new one will be added. ‘Die in Fire – Live in Hell’ is the title of the album which represents a live show of the band in their home town Stockholm. The show was part of the ‘Chariots of Fire European Tour and took place on October 7, 2022 at Fållan.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band, a recording of the concert will now hit the record stores and those who have seen the band live know that such an album can only represent a part of the intense live performances of the black metal collective.

In front of 1,800 euphoric fans Watain played a varied set which built on the latest studio album. ‘The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain contributed with six songs and it is the thumping ‘Ecstasies in Night Infinite’ that opened the set. Even if such a release only reflects the music, you can picture the flames and burning symbolism that turn the stage into a hellish scenery; not to mention the scent of doom that usually surrounds the stage.

With ‘Black Salvation’ the band goes back to the early days and presents a song that they have played live many times before, but this time it appears on the setlists with consistency.

The fact that with ‘The Return of Darkness and Evil’ a Bathory song is played is not surprising and causes additional enthusiasm duericng the show.

‘Die in Fire – Live in Hell’ gives a good overview of the diabolic output of the Swedes headed by Erik Danielsson and bandmates. Equipped with a good sound the band delivers a solid overview over a quater of a century of black metal; not more, but also not less.