Deafheaven

Deafheaven, the groundbreaking San Francisco post-metal band, emerged in 2010 as a raw two-piece: vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy (formerly of grindcore act Rise of Caligula). Their initial self-released demo quickly garnered attention, leading to the recruitment of a full band and a signing with Deathwish Inc. before the year's end. Their debut, Roads to Judah (2011), marked the beginning of their ascent, showcasing a unique sonic tapestry that blended the aggression of black metal with the ethereal beauty of shoegaze and the atmospheric textures of post-rock. This innovative fusion, later dubbed "blackgaze" by critics, established Deafheaven as pioneers of a new subgenre.

Sunbather (2013) catapulted them to international acclaim, receiving widespread critical praise and solidifying their position as one of the year's most lauded albums in the US. Subsequent releases, New Bermuda (2015) and Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (2018), further refined their sound. Their fifth album, Infinite Granite (2021), however, saw a significant departure, dramatically scaling back the signature screamed vocals and exploring a more nuanced sonic landscape. The band's journey, from a self-recorded demo to critically acclaimed albums, showcases a consistent evolution within their genre-bending sound.