San Francisco's monolithic Metal-gazers Deafheaven, has hit the road to showcase their latest (and long-awaited) album "Loney People With Power". They bit into the big apple twice this week: Wednesday night in Manhattan at Irving Plaza and last night in Brooklyn at Warsaw. I attended the show last night and am currently applying icy hot to my neck as I write to you.
Joined by tour supporting bands Trauma Ray and Gatecreeper, the night began with high energy and relentless vibes right off the bat. In between bites of pierogi’s (this Polish venue has cuisine available at a food stand near the band merch table area), fans were fed some classic and thoughtful shoegaze. It looks like Texas knows a little (sorry, I meant big) something about shoegaze! Gatecreeper came in heavy, representing the Phoenix metal scene, and we couldn’t get enough. From the first song to the last song, not a single head was still. “Headbangers to the front” was a demand made by frontman Chase "Hellahammer" Mason within the first few moments of the set. This venue was packed, and there was no way to escape the guttural onslaught and massive sound this set had to offer.
Finally the moment in the night that we all had been waiting for came at 10pm on the dot. Deafheaven took the stage while ambiance and the sound samples from the album swirled around the venue, immediately commanding the full attention of every being in the building. The roar of applause and cheer that the crowd had produced, far surpassed the soundbooth's expectations.
While a vast majority of people think of metal as one thing, this band will prove that notion wrong. There is metal for anyone, even if metal isn't for everyone. Deafheaven is something any metalhead or music enthusiast alike can appreciate. I think it's fair to say they are a very cerebral band, having developed and experimented with their sound/musicianship every album cycle, and provide the masses with contemporary (and ideologically-sound) black metal. For some, it takes a rejection of conventions to appreciate this band fully.
When a song like album single “Magnolia” is played, there is no question that no matter what niche of metal you resonate with this song will resonate with you. For fans who feel a certain type of way about anything after “New Bermuda”, this new album has quenched their thirst for “the old Deafheaven”, while maintaining the exciting and experimental ways of that of the more recent releases. This band can play on any metal bill, and at the same time they are so unique that they can thrive on a myriad of festivals and tour packages. In the past few years, they’ve toured with the likes of Coheed and Cambria, Interpol (see track 10 on LPWP), and Knocked Loose. Maybe they will have a show with Boy Harsher in their future, given that recent collaboration (see track 7 on LPWP).
“Amethyst” was introduced by frontman Geroge Clark as “we’re playing a lot of new songs….this is my favorite one” and “this is the meaning of the entire album”. This moment happened towards the end of the set, before we were gifted with a wonderful selection by way of an encore. If you are familiar with the band AFI, you will appreciate the Sing The Sorrow-esque vibes brought to you by the poetic intro and distorted soundscape that this track has to offer. The weight of the words and the deep lyricism are their own regions to explore even before a single chord is struck. Shall we call this band “Depthheaven”? It must be something in the air with these bands, thank you California.
I was delighted that “Winona” was played, as it has a lovely grooving instrumental section towards the end of the song and it translated well live. It gave the mosh pit a little bit of a breather after Clarke’s push-pit request, and a chance for the band to show off their smooth transition skills, from jam session to wall of noise blast-beat combination. The way the song ends totally made for a perfect set closing! The band made sure there was something for everyone from the OG fans to the first timers.
If you have not seen Deafheaven live, add them to your bucket list! While in line for the bathroom (after the show), I heard several mentions of regretful missed opportunities to see Deafheaven. Those individuals were so thankful that they grabbed tickets for last night's show. If you miss the opportunity, take the next one when it's available.
5/15/25 - Deafheaven - Warsaw - Brooklyn, NY
Setlist:
• Incidental I
• Doberman
• Magnolia
• Brought to the Water
• Sunbather
• The Garden Route
• Heathen
• Amethyst
Encore:
• Incidental II
• Revelator
• Dream House
• Winona
