Rockfreaks.net

Swedish black metal legends Watain have been honoured with the "Best Hard Rock" award at the Swedish Grammis gala, which was held on January 17th. On winning the prize, the band's frontman Erik Danielsson had the following to say:

"I always pictured the criteria for entering the [Grammis] awards to be those of mainstream music in general; conformity, insipidity and commercial potential. In other words, I was quite surprised when we even got nominated. But considering all the blood, sweat and tears we have put into this, our life's mission, during the past 13 years, it is by all means an award well deserved. And no matter what the parameters were by which the jury made their decision, the Devil won again!

Even if this music genre will always be one with adversity and wild hearted insanity as its very roots, the artistic value must be acknowledged not only on an underground level but in any cultural circumstance, high or low. Acknowledged I say, not necessarily appreciated. And in a country like Sweden it is about fucking time, for here it has been neglected and stupefied by the mass media for years, while legends such as DISSECTION and BATHORY have been writing and releasing some of the most monumental albums in music history. The [Grammis award] that we have won with WATAIN is a step towards rectification in that matter, and a sign that the artistry and infernal creativity that permeates WATAIN and this genre is being taken seriously. For that we are proud and delighted in accepting the award. As for its market-value or importance in a 'music industry context,' we sincerely could not care less."