Deafheaven is an influential American post-metal band that emerged from San Francisco in 2010, founded by vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy. Initially a two-piece, they recorded a demo album that garnered positive attention, leading to the recruitment of three additional members. Their signing with Deathwish Inc. in December 2010 marked a significant milestone, culminating in the release of their debut album, “Roads to Judah,” in April 2011. This album received acclaim from notable publications, establishing Deafheaven as a formidable force in the music scene.
The band’s sophomore effort, “Sunbather,” released in 2013, was a groundbreaking success, earning a Metacritic score of 92/100 and being hailed as one of the best-reviewed albums of the year. This release not only solidified their unique sound, blending black metal and shoegaze into what is now known as “blackgaze,” but also expanded their audience, allowing them to perform at major festivals worldwide. Their innovative approach to music has redefined genre boundaries and attracted a diverse fanbase.
Following “Sunbather,” Deafheaven continued to evolve with albums like “New Bermuda” (2015) and “Ordinary Corrupt Human Love” (2018), both of which received critical acclaim and showcased their artistic growth. The band’s ability to experiment with sound while maintaining their core identity has been a hallmark of their career.
In 2021, Deafheaven released “Infinite Granite,” which marked a departure from their earlier sound by incorporating more melodic elements and clean vocals. Their ongoing commitment to pushing musical boundaries and their dynamic live performances have solidified their reputation as one of the most innovative bands in contemporary metal.