Deafheaven are a San Francisco-based American group active since 2010, known for combining black metal with shoegaze, post-rock and related styles. The band begins as a duo of vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy, who previously play together in a grindcore band. They record a demo in April 2010 at Atomic Garden Studios and release it in limited cassette form and digitally after sending it to blogs. That early material leads to the addition of bassist Derek Prine, guitarist Nick Bassett and drummer Trevor Deschryver, and the expanded band begins playing live later in 2010.

Early releases and signing

Before the end of 2010, Deafheaven sign to Deathwish Inc. Their debut album, Roads to Judah, arrives in 2011 and establishes the band on the post-black metal and shoegaze edge of heavy music. The group’s early work is marked by a blend of black metal intensity and post-rock atmosphere, and their name is linked by Clarke to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 and to Slowdive as an homage.

Sunbather and wider recognition

For Sunbather, Clarke and McCoy write the material as founding members, with drummer Daniel Tracy contributing in the studio. The album is recorded with Jack Shirley and released through Deathwish Inc. in 2013. It receives wide critical acclaim, becomes the band’s first release to enter the Billboard charts, and is later identified by Metacritic as the best-reviewed major album of that year. The record also leads to touring line-up changes, with Tracy joined by Stephen Clark on bass and Shiv Mehra on guitar for live dates.

Subsequent albums and changing approach

In 2014 Deafheaven release “From the Kettle onto the Coil” as a free download in Adult Swim’s singles series. Their third album, New Bermuda, follows in 2015 on ANTI- and is met with critical acclaim. Ordinary Corrupt Human Love arrives in 2018 on Anti- Records and also receives widespread praise. In 2021 the band issues Infinite Granite, an album that sharply reduces screamed vocals compared with earlier records.

Style and influences

Deafheaven’s music is described as a hybrid of shoegaze shimmer, hardcore punk energy, emo vulnerability and black metal intensity. Their stated influences include Morbid Angel, The Smiths, Burzum, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Orchid, Emperor and My Bloody Valentine.

Membership

The group’s current line-up includes George Clarke, Kerry McCoy, Daniel Tracy, Shiv Mehra and Chris Johnson. Former members include Nick Bassett, Derek Prine, Trevor Deschryver, Korey Severson and Stephen Clark.