Sunbather, the sophomore LP from metalgaze monster Deafheaven, is supposedly the best-reviewed album of 2013. Accordingly, defenders of true metal (whatever that is) consider the S.F. quintet the ultimate affront in hipster bullshit. Put Deafheaven onstage with no place to hide, and it proves itself ready for battle.
Admittedly, the quintet’s appearance fuels naysayers. Singer George Clarke looks like he should be fronting a British boy band, while lead guitarist Kerry McCoy resembles a young Garrison Keillor. Synth bridges and heavily delayed strumming might have even been the final nail in the coffin had not a drum count-off led directly into the power chord majesty/blast beat hell of “Dream House.”
The lofty changes and delay pedals say shoegaze, but the aggression and Clarke’s feral screech scream black metal. “Sunbather” sounded like Explosions in the Sky with vokills, the dynamics favoring roar.
“From the Kettle Onto the Coil” traded dream-pop for trad metal, making it the band’s angriest, most aggressive number as the charismatic Clarke fell to his knees with the mic like Otis Redding. A hellstorm of noise led “Unrequited,” dedicated to late Black Tusk bassist Jonathan Athon, who passed away earlier that morning.
Its full-on metal hurricane and soaring anthemry induced a bearded kid with tears on his face to embrace Clarke before diving back into the crowd. That’s Deafheaven in a nutshell – blasting heartstrings so intense it makes questions of authenticity moot.
Check out our complete Fun Fun Fun Fest coverage.
This article appears in November 7 • 2014.
