Deafheaven is an American band formed in 2010 in San Francisco by vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy. Initially a duo, they quickly expanded into a full band and became known for pioneering a genre-blending sound that fuses black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock, often referred to as blackgaze. Their 2013 album Sunbather was a critical breakthrough, praised for its lush, emotional soundscapes and bold aesthetic choices—like its bright pink cover, which challenged black metal’s traditionally dark imagery 1. Over the years, Deafheaven has continued to evolve, releasing albums like New Bermuda (2015), Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (2018), and Infinite Granite (2021), the latter of which leaned heavily into shoegaze and clean vocals, showcasing their willingness to defy genre expectations 1.

Their most recent album, Lonely People With Power (2025), marks a return to a heavier, more aggressive sound while retaining the band’s signature melodic and atmospheric elements 2. Known for their emotionally intense live performances and poetic lyricism, Deafheaven explores themes like melancholy, introspection, and existential longing 3. Their music often juxtaposes harsh, screamed vocals with sweeping, cinematic instrumentals, creating a sound that is both brutal and beautiful. This duality has made them one of the most polarizing yet influential bands in modern metal, continuously pushing the boundaries of what the genre can be.