Check out a behind the scenes look at the recording of "Sunbather", the new record by Deafheaven, due out June 11th, 2013 from Deathwish Inc. on 2xLP, CD, and digital.
Recorded and engineered by Jack Shirley (Funeral Diner, Comadre) and designed by Nick Steinhardt (Touche Amore) "Sunbather" deals with the profound sadness found in the quest for one's personal perfection. Serving as an artistic lucid dream of warmth despite the stinging pain of life's cruel idealism.
With opener "Dream House" George Clarke's tortured vocals familiarly intertwine with Kerry McCoy's hypnotic guitar work before crashing into a wash of post-everything melody. This leads to the moving instrumental "Irresistible" a track that carries a twisted indie-like sensibility buried beneath glittery layers of guitar and piano. However it is in the title track and beyond where the maturation and growth of Deafheaven brightly shines. In "Sunbather" they explore sonic peaks and valleys created by superb percussionist Daniel Tracy (new to the band for this recording). His inclusion brings new dynamics to light as an urgent pulse to the swirling musical chaos. Pushing bleak epic "Vertigo" and the dark emotional closer "The Pecan Tree" to new, awe-inducing heights.
"Sunbather" will feature new songs written by Deafheaven's primary songwriters Kerry McCoy and George Clarke, and deluxe artwork provided by Nick Steinhardt. Clarke mentioned of the new Deafheaven tracks: "While the new material is more developed, we've strayed from what was previously a more melancholic approach. The black metal aspect to our music is prevalent in the new material, but I don't think it's necessarily the focus this time around." Lead guitarist Kerry McCoy continued, "There are a lot of harsh, dark vibes on Sunbather, but don't be surprised at how lush and rock-driven, even pop-driven certain aspects will be."