User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 417 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 368 out of 417
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Mixed: 20 out of 417
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Negative: 29 out of 417
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Feb 19, 2014Wonderful album. Meant to be taken as a whole. Vocals are great and it's a great listen all the way through. Along with The Mire, my favorite metal album of 2013 onward. People hating on Sunbather probably don't understand the concept or sound of the album.
Hate on, while we listen with glee. -
Jun 12, 2013
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Jan 30, 2014Just because you are not a fan of a genre does not mean the album isn't good. These 0's that this album is getting are ridiculous. This is one of the best albums of 2013. It is a beautiful mix between post-rock and black metal. I seriously suggest people that cant get past the screaming vocals try to look past them and hear the music that is already washing out the vocals anyways.
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Jun 14, 2013An incredible release. Deafheaven continues to evolve. Roads to Judah was a masterpiece and Sunbather is no different. Cannot wait to hear what these guys do next.
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Jun 13, 2013I'm just reviewing this so the user score goes up. This is an incredible album that fully deserves the score it is getting from the critics. This is dope
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Jun 18, 2013One of the best records this year for sure. Regardless of genre.
It plays like a huge metal symphony: elegant, intelligent & furious.
The negative user reviews reek of close mindedness & a lack of understanding. -
Feb 25, 2014
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Jun 17, 2013I 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
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Jul 4, 2013For anyone who loves traditional black metal AND post rock. If you're a fan of Burzum and also a fan of Explosions in the Sky, I recommend this album.
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Jun 14, 2013
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Jun 28, 2013
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Jun 21, 2013My favorite album of the year. If you are not predisposed to extreme music, best give it some listens before buying. But if you are adventurous, the type of album that rewards repeated listens.
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Jun 17, 2013
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Jun 25, 2013Best record in at least 10 years, maybe longer. Period. Listen for yourself. If you're not moved, check that, if you're not blown away by every aspect of this record, then you'd better check yourself for a pulse to make sure your still alive. Finally, some "NEW" stuff.
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Sep 22, 2014
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Jun 29, 2013
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Jul 2, 2013I had never heard of Deafheaven before, but I feel like I've been waiting for this album for years.
A necessary redirection of instrumental post-rock, combined with the welcome recent resurface of shoegazing. Jaw-dropping. -
Jul 4, 2013From post-hardcore guitars to metal drums to elegant piano-- it is a wonderful collage of genres narrated by George's screaming voice. Excellent. Listen and re-listen.
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Jul 11, 2013"I'm dying"
"Is it blissful?"
"It's like a dream"
"I want to dream"
Deafheaven accomplished that goal, for me at least; this album is a dream. "Sunbather" is required listening, begging to be played at the loudest possible volume--Spinal Tap's mythical "11" setting. This work is the literal definition of awesome: a thing that inspires awe. -
Jul 26, 2013
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Aug 13, 2013
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Sep 11, 2018Totally innovating and ethereal. Paradoxically mixing metal's aggressiveness with shoegaze's delicacy, resulting in a painful-shouting and gorgeous work. Idiots will gonna say that this kind of music kills rock/metal, opposite of it, lack of creativity does. And creativity Subnbather has to give and sell. Break your stupid prejudice and just listen to it. RIGHT NOW
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Oct 22, 2013
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Jan 3, 2014It's a deep experience listening to this music. Instead of thinking about genres if this is black-metal, post-rock or whatever, you'd better to feel so intense experience about dark and light, about music always rebuilding, about screams that really sound in a lot of moods.
Music to listen out of prejudices. Maybe it's a real new path to run for old genres. -
Jan 4, 2014Black metal. The only difference, it is ARMONIC Black Metal, and that is joyfull to hear. Deafheaven just means future and a new way of looking music for every single genre
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Jul 7, 2014this album is great, every song is well recorded and all the ambient of the songs is just amazing.
This album rocks! All the circle-jerking black metal elitists are jealous, your genre has been hijacked by Deafheaven. -
Jun 2, 2014
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Jun 1, 2016
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Aug 26, 2014
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Apr 28, 2015
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Sep 25, 2016
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Sep 27, 2017Absolutely extraordinary. I have become obsessed with this album. It's a genuine work of genius in my opinion and I find myself endlessly thinking about it when I am not listening to it. While I understand it won't be for everyone for obvious reasons I think everyone should give a go at least once.
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Dec 18, 2016Complex, melodic, powerful. Deafheaven bring us a great album, a symphony, a piece. Even if you're not a fan of metal, or if you're a hardcore one, you'll like it. Before Sunbather, I've never listened to something like this. Ethereal.
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Oct 11, 2021Fantastic...i have no words. A phenomenal introduction to drone metal. Revitalizing metal with post rock shoegaze sensibilities emerges a record slowdiver would ge proud of.
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Jan 13, 2020It’s hard to describe, so just listen to it and find yourself invested in it from start to finish
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Jul 26, 2021Easily one of the best albums of the 2010s and a sign of more good things that were to come for this band. Melodic gorgeousness on just about every song. Sit back, close your eyes, and meditate on it. You won't regret it.
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Sep 7, 2021"Dream House" is so perfect in its wild abstraction and informalism, plenty of colour and harmony, prelude of an album full of beauty and melancholy.
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Jul 27, 2013Metal for non metal fans. Metal for open-minded fans of metal. Sweeping, majestic, delicate, beautiful, painful, haunting, violent, visceral: everything a forward-thinking metal album should be.
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Jun 12, 2013
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Jun 18, 2013
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Jun 21, 2013As someone who loathes metal, I have no idea how this album appeals to me, but it does. Love the post-rock feel. The "singer", who just screams through the entire album is somehow compatible with the music. Yet I still question whether or not the album would work better if the lead singer of the band used a less death-metal style of vocals.
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Jun 12, 2013
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Jun 22, 2013One of the best of the year. The instrumentation and pacing of the album are just incredible. If you don't normally like metal, seriously give this one a go (especially if you like My Bloody Valentine, the shoegaze feel to the album is a big positive).
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Jun 13, 2013
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Jun 15, 2013Lots of genre junkies will hate this because it is not purely this or that. Don't fuss so much guys, open your mind and ears and just listen to the complexity, beauty and skill offered by Deafheaven on this new release.
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Jun 11, 2013
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Sep 25, 2015
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Jun 24, 2013
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Jun 11, 2013
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Dec 20, 2013It's annoying seeing people rating this album while prefacing "Was never a big fan of metal to begin with" blah blah blah. Then what were you expecting?
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Jun 14, 2013
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Jul 24, 2013The best album of the year with post punk and heavy metal sounds......I generally do not prefer listening tracks that last over 6 min but the tracks in this album are intriguing and exceptional.
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Jun 13, 2013"Sunbather" is a stimulating, brilliant record that does an impressive job at keeping a dense, vibrant atmosphere while also blending other genres and influences.
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Jun 13, 2013The 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).
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Jun 19, 2013
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Aug 23, 2013This is an amazing album. A band that gives us a new and excellent sound, an epic album with epic soundscapes that are beautiful and complex. It's one of the best albums of this excellent year for music.
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Dec 29, 2013
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Mar 21, 2014I'll never get tired of hearing subtle melodies overlapping the harsh black metal screams in this type of music. Death heaven is one of those bands ill be keeping an eye on.
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Apr 9, 2014
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Jul 26, 2013
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Sep 26, 2013I've never heard of Deafhaven. I've never really listened to metal. I hate when people scream the lyrics and you can't understand them whatsoever. But there is something about this album, especially when listened to in its entirety, that is pretty remarkable. It evoked several emotions, and the band members prove to be musically talented enough that this is not for scream-o fans only.
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Jul 10, 2013
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Jul 23, 2013
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Jun 18, 2013
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Aug 18, 2013Black metal and shoegaze mixed, gets Blackgaze. Sunbather is a blackgaze album that is extremely melodic and pretty. The vocals being unintelligible isn't really an issue as much as I thought it would be. With very folky interludes, it's the long titans that really shine.
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Sep 20, 2013
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Sep 8, 2013As 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.
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Feb 3, 2014Although this strays away from the traditional grunge of death metal, it is an interesting blend that certainly deserves praise. The instruments sound like a mix between Explosions In The Sky and speed metal. I would have to disagree for making this album of the year. Overall, it is a strong effort.
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Jul 15, 2014
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Aug 21, 2017
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Nov 2, 2013Occasionally lapses into melody after testing the limits of your ability to stand the sheer, um, screeching chaos. I don't think it's my thing but I also don't think this is a 9 out of 10. This kind of thing makes me hate music critics and seriously mistrust metacritic. I'll give it a try now and again but it's not what I would at all call 'gorgeous' or remarkable or beautiful or great.
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Jun 16, 2013A good album to be sure, but the hyperbole surrounding Deafheaven is a bit ridiculous. Wolves in the Throne Room are just as intriguing. They've also maintained quality over several albums.
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Aug 24, 2013
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Dec 14, 2017
Awards & Rankings
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Dec 2, 2013Sunbather is an emotionally overwhelming but truly absorbing listen. But best of all, it’s cleansing.
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Aug 12, 2013The mood stays ominous, even as sonic details thrill headphone-equipped headbangers.
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Jul 3, 2013Many bands go through their entire career without making an album as well crafted, fully realized, and downright gorgeous as Sunbather, and somehow, Deafheaven have managed to nail it on their second outing, with an album that seems to get bigger and more affective with each listen.