'Sunbather' is a release courtesy of Deathwish Inc. (yes, them again, and god damn it is it glorious).
Yeah, I'm spreading the word about the album that Metacritic, Pitchfork Magazine, Spin Magazine, and Rolling Stone Magazine are declaring the top metal album of 2013. Indeed, its score on Metacritic is a whopping 92 percent, based on 17 critic reviews. The "Best Albums of 2013" page (click here for source) states: "It's the first time a metal album has occupied the #1 slot in our year-end rankings."
Anyway, as I listen to this now, I am astounded at just how texturally rich this release is. I'm four tracks in and I have heard post-rock, black metal, shoegazing, post-hardcore, orchestral, psychedelic, and surely many other wakes of music...so far. Last year's "The Seer" by the legendary avant-garde outfit Swans evoked a similar, inaccessible sound that, without understating it, mindfucks the listener into gleefully masochistic submission.
Is this a review? No. It's a means of spreading the word. Many have heard of Deafheaven's praise by now, and may think I'm riding a bandwagon by publishing this piece, but I'm fucking thrilled to do so. These guys deserve not only your attention, but your recognition for the hard, complex work the guys have put into this release.
