Sunbather - Deafheaven
Sunbather Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 169 Ratings

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  • Band members: George Clarke, Kerry Mccoy, Daniel Tracy
  • Summary: The second full-length studio release for the San Francisco-based black metal band formed by George Clarke and Kerry McCoy was produced by Jack Shirley.
  • Record Label: Deathwish Records
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Heavy Metal, Black Metal
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. NOW Magazine
    Jun 13, 2013
    100
    You can spend hours dismantling Sunbather and cooking up a neat sub-sub-genre for it (post-black-metal-gaze-death-dreamcore-whatever). Or you can just call it one of the year’s best records.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Jun 11, 2013
    100
    What’s undeniable is that moments from Sunbather will resonate long after the pointless babble has died down, proving that sometimes the greatest beauty can only be found in the face of chaos.
  3. Beats Per Minute (formerly One Thirty BPM)
    Jun 27, 2013
    92
    Sunbather is a future classic, no matter where you pigeonhole it, and that’s the mark of a true sonic masterpiece. Black metal, not black metal, just call it what it is: perfect.
  4. Exclaim
    Jun 11, 2013
    90
    The result is a perfectly flowing album that is, at times, as calming as it is chaotic.
  5. No Ripcord
    Jun 17, 2013
    90
    Sunbather needs not to be judged as black metal, post metal, or any other subgenre, but simply as heavy music--loud, visceral, beautiful heavy music.
  6. CMJ
    Jun 12, 2013
    90
    Sunbather is every bit as explosive and engaging as any metal album you’re likely to hear all year.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Aug 12, 2013
    60
    The mood stays ominous, even as sonic details thrill headphone-equipped headbangers.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 58
  3. Negative: 11 out of 58
  1. MysteryReviewer
    Jul 26, 2013
    10
    Sunbather is the best album of this year, period.

    Sunbather is a unique and amazing black metal album that I truly enjoyed. With beautiful     and rock hard beats that created a symphony of Black Metal in your ears, Sunbather proves to be an album that creates melodies that even I, a person who is not a fan of Black Metal, enjoys. That is saying something. Sunbather is a great album that even people who aren't fans of Black metal should listen to.… Expand
  2. jeffreycallahan
    Jun 17, 2013
    10
    I never knew such a thing could exist but I personally believe this is a perfect album. A great mixture of 90's screamo/Post Hardcore/Speed Metal/Black Metal. Lyrically phenominal. I've played it over and over and it never gets old. 10/10… Expand
  3. Nedloh94
    Jun 12, 2013
    10
    I've honestly never heard anything like this. Granted, I'm not as seasoned in metal, but it skews more post-rock than anything. That being said, as an album, this is truly a remarkable effort from a group that has something interesting to say. There's a lot of complex songwriting, and enough of a dynamic experience that this is as an accessible of a challenge any newcomers are ever going to find. One of the best of the year.… Expand
  4. charles_fg
    Jun 13, 2013
    9
    The layered guitar tracks, heavy hitting drums, shrieking vocals and ultimately rich production is what makes Sunbather the densest and most intense sounding record to come out this year (so far).… Expand
  5. sextoymagic
    Sep 8, 2013
    8
    As far as metal albums go this is a home run. I have to admit the vocals aren't what I want to hear in music. However the vocals did blend amazingly well with the instrumentals. The album took about ten minutes of listening until the light bulb went off and i realized just how great it truly is. This album isn't for everyone but if you like great music or are a metal fan it's worth a listen.… Expand
  6. Mauddib
    Jul 10, 2013
    6
    What we have here is alternative pop/rock guitar (imagine no vocals or drums) with post-rock nuances such as bands like Tortoise or Slint and a post metal drone bands such as Isis or Sunn 0))). The only black metal traits would be that some of the tempos are fast, screaming vocals, and occasional blast beat drumming. It is artistic and is an interesting listen once through. As a whole it is fresh, however the parts that contribute to the whole have been around. Same ingredients, yet new end result. Inspiring and entertaining moments are sprinkled sparingly, not emotionally moving, unless I am writhing in some cathartic emotional anguish that needs external soothing by this bipolar landscape.… Expand
  7. lastchance
    Jun 12, 2013
    0
    This is a perfect example of how polarized and messed up the music community and reviews are. This album has a 99 on Metacritic (of 6 reviews). Meanwhile, the user ranking is 6.6 (out of 10). I previewed it to see why such high marks by the reviewers and it's a bunch of noise droning stuff. I don't even know how to properly detail what kind of "music" this is because I can't fathom anyone liking or listening to this. It just puts a really bad taste in my mouth.… Expand

See all 58 User Reviews

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