Deafheaven

Deafheaven perform a unique brand of triumphant black metal, with elements of shoegaze in their rich distorted tones, and post-rock in their technical skill and long songs. Their recent album Sunbather is melodic and dazzling, and they played the whole thing, near as I could tell through the beautifully distorted racket. Vocalist George Clarke has a stunning voice and was central to orchestrating the whole atmosphere, staring intently at the crowd, and lunging with the mic in time with the music. A feeling of deafness in my left ear reflects a sensational, loud, powerful performance, spiritual in a primal ferocious way, but perhaps not heavenly.

Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, 29 October 2013
Rating:
Joe Fuller