The five-piece Deafheaven is known for their unique blend of black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock. Their breakthrough album ‘Sunbather’ (2013) sent shockwaves through the metal world and is regarded by the likes of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork as one of the most important albums of the past 15 years. With their signature overwhelming sound, Deafheaven built a devoted global fanbase.
Deafheaven achieves their distinctive sound by combining blast beats (double bass drums), ‘shrieks’ (high-pitched screams), and black metal riffs with crystal-clear production, walls of guitars reminiscent of MBV and Slowdive, and the atmospheric compositions of post-rock titans like Sigur Rós and Explosions in the Sky. On later albums, such as the Grammy-nominated ‘Ordinary Corrupt Human Love’ (2018), the band further refined their sound.
Four years after the dreamy 'Infinite Granite' (2021), Deafheaven returned in early 2025 with ‘Magnolia’, the first single from their sixth album 'Lonely People with Power' (2025), both a return to their earlier sound and a career high point. The album received euphoric reviews across the board and led Pitchfork to conclude: "Fifteen years into their career, having long transcended any given genre, set of influences, or fan expectations, Deafheaven sound, more than ever, like nothing other than themselves."
Deafheaven is also renowned for their powerful and emotionally overwhelming live performances. An absolute must-see for fans of experimental and intense guitar music.
