Deafheaven: Sunbather (Deathwish, 6/11/13)
Since its birth in 2010, San Francisco’s Deafheaven has received hefty praise for its shoegazing black-metal creations — joining a new cadre of well-received post-black-metal-heads like Liturgy and Nachtmystium.
On Sunbather, the band’s second LP, the core creative duo of vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy are joined by new drummer Daniel Tracy, who propels 60 minutes of brutality and melody with a frenzied yet balanced approach. The biggest difference, however, is the sheer beauty and clean-channel guitar tones that are interspersed throughout the sonic assault — landing the band closer to “screamo” territory at times, and recalling its pair of Mogwai covers from last year’s split release with Bosse-de-Nage.
Sunbather’s longer tracks are separated by shorter cuts (still three to six minutes), and the alternation controls the dynamics and flow so well that it could make any impatient ‘tween into a post-metal fan. All of the band’s familiar elements are present, but by honing its style and treating the album like theater — with proper cues, scenes, interludes, and finales — Deafheaven has made its sophomore release into a metal masterpiece.