Deafheaven – 10 Years Gone (Review)

“Somehow it’s already been 10 years” to use a modified verse by Touché Amoré.

I can still vividly remember my first encounter with Deafheaven’s music. Deathwish Inc. was, and still is, a strong source for recommendations when it comes to heavy and unique music. So when Deathwish Inc. announced that they had signed Deafheaven I was instantly interested. I listened to “Violet” and was hooked. Deafheaven were my perfect gateway-band into Black-Metal.

With the announcement of this „live“ album I was very excited. Every Deafheaven-album was recorded live, so you know, that the band in capable of bringing their songs to life in a live surrounding. With Jack Shirley at the helm of producing the possibility of this endeavour going wrong was minimal to none. Every instrument has its room and Greg Clarkes vocals sound as cutting as they should do.

The track-list serves as a best-of and a nod to the not so obvious candidates for an anniversary tour. Sure, a song like „Dream House“ isn’t missing but especially older songs like „Daedalus“ (Demo EP) or „Language Games“ (Roads to Judah) are songs that get their deserved spotlight after all these years. Another rarity is „From the Kettle onto the Coil“ which was released as an interim song between Sunbather and New Bermuda. A neat fact on the side: this is the first time, this song is available in a physical format.

Sunbather gets the biggest part of the setlist with three songs. The aforementioned „Dream House“ together with „Vertigo“ and „The Pecan Tree“ (sadly without the piano at the end). „Vertigo“ is one of my favourite songs by Deafheaven, so it is a “delight” to hear it in such a jaw dropping live version.

Another personal highlight is „Baby blue“. New Bermuda never gets enough love. This track in particular works out live so well. The progression, THE solo, the grand finale. I hope, I will hear and see this live sometime.

10 Years gone serves as a phenomenal memorial for the anniversary of Deafheaven. It is hard to believe how big the impact of Deafheaven has been and it is even harder to imagine what will be the next musical evolution of this band.