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Deafheaven - Roads To Judah



8 | 189 votes |
Release date: 26 April 2011
Style: Shoegaze, Atmospheric black metal, Post-metal

Owners:

161 have it
19 want it


01. Violet
02. Language Games
03. Unrequited
04. Tunnel Of Trees

Additional info
"Blackgaze"
United States
Deathwish Inc.

Line-up on the CD:
George Clarke - vocals
Nick Bassett - guitar
Kerry McCoy - guitar
Derek Prine - bass
Trevor Deschryver - drums

Staff review by
Troy Killjoy
Rating:
9.3
Black metal is arguably enduring its third shift in stance - the first wave being essentially "evil" speed/thrash metal, the second being grimm and frostbitten kvlt metal, and this, the unofficial third wave, being "hiptellectual": Gorgoroth meets Jefferson Airplane or Pink Floyd or Radiohead or something...

Read more ››
published 15.06.2011 | Comments (41)

Finally a worthwhile blackgaze album that doesn't feature Neige! Deafheaven's debut is as beautiful as it is barbaric, adding in some majestic post-metal ambience for the sake of a truly depressive, majestic journey. Highly recommended for fans of Alcest and company.

Troy Gallant's picks | More picks ››

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Comments

Comments: 43   Visited by: 700 users
02.05.2011 - 14:46
Daydream Nation
Account deleted
I hear this is really good...I'll have to check this out.
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03.05.2011 - 02:17
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Guest on 02.05.2011 at 14:46

I hear this is really good...I'll have to check this out.

It is if you like Alcest/Les Discrets/etc.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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07.05.2011 - 17:01
Rating: 10
hadriel
Love this album, so glad I stumbled upon it
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10.05.2011 - 19:46
Rating: 7
InnerSelf
proofread free
I think this sounds more like Fen rather than Alcest, it has the same BM approach and almost reaches the same density and depth . I liked it
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He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
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13.05.2011 - 14:50
Kenos
Account deleted
Listening to it right now.
I think I'm gonna fall in love with this album very soon.
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16.05.2011 - 19:15
Daydream Nation
Account deleted
Oooh Language Games-- any sign of a reference to Wittgenstein?
This baby has officially excited my philosophical tendencies...and it sounds like Fen supposedly. I'm about to listen.
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17.05.2011 - 01:15
Daydream Nation
Account deleted
Double post-- sorry about this.This album is simply incredible. This replaces Fen's Epoch as my new favourite album this year. Noisy segments, excellent drumming and ambitious; the vocals are also excellent. I actually bought the album today in store, and I'm so glad I did. Although I wouldn't say it sounds like Alcest/Fen/Amesoeurs or any one of those bands-- interesting sound on its own.
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17.05.2011 - 12:20
Kenos
Account deleted
Written by Guest on 17.05.2011 at 01:15

I wouldn't say it sounds like Alcest/Fen/Amesoeurs or any one of those bands-- interesting sound on its own.


Yep, but it surely sounds like Lantlôs' ".neon" concerning drumming, shrieking vocals, major chords... That's really the first thing I thought while listening to the first minutes of "Violet" (and almost all the rest of the album as well).
But the music here is far from being a mere copycat. Very personal and thoughtful indeed.
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17.05.2011 - 17:39
Daydream Nation
Account deleted
Written by Guest on 17.05.2011 at 12:20

Written by Guest on 17.05.2011 at 01:15

I wouldn't say it sounds like Alcest/Fen/Amesoeurs or any one of those bands-- interesting sound on its own.


Yep, but it surely sounds like Lantlôs concerning drumming, shrieking vocals, major chords... That's really the first thing I thought while listening to the first minutes of "Violet" (and almost all the rest of the album as well).
But the music here is far from being a mere copycat. Very personal and thoughtful indeed.

That is INTERESTING. I have not heard anything from that band before, so I guess I should check them out.
Yes, that was a really good choice of words. "Personal and thoughtful" music indeed. Surprising, since the CD insert states that this album was recorded over a 4 day span from December 2010 to January 2011. It does, as you state, feel fully thought out and this is a sign of musical genius if a record with this maturity was composed in 4 fucking days!
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25.05.2011 - 11:01
Tetravirulence
Listening to it now, sounds great
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Metal News Community!! http://head-metal-bangers.blogspot.com

RIP Juhani Palomaki (1977-2010)
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26.05.2011 - 06:12
Rating: 10
The Benighted
After being disappointed buy the new Altars of Plague album, this definitely hit the right spot.
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Learn to adapt to the change, or get washed away like tears in the rain.
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11.06.2011 - 03:55
Timmeh
Dudeman
Fantastic, this album is beautiful. If I could ever have my own 'mystical dream cloud' to ride around on, I would definately put this album on.
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11.06.2011 - 04:02
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Timmeh on 11.06.2011 at 03:55

Fantastic, this album is beautiful. If I could ever have my own 'mystical dream cloud' to ride around on, I would definately put this album on.

Indeed, that's what drew me to this in the first place (and inspired me to compare them with the likes of Alcest) - it's the "fantasy" approach to their music. It just takes you somewhere else amazing and it's beautifully done.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.06.2011 - 04:46
Rating: 7
Fat & Sassy!
Elite
No official opinion on this album yet, but as far as their image is concerned... They *look* like the Joy Division of black metal. Singer totally has this Ian Curtis thing going on from pics I've seen. XD
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22.06.2011 - 04:49
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Fat & Sassy! on 22.06.2011 at 04:46

Singer totally has this Ian Curtis thing going on from pics I've seen. XD

I'd hit it.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.06.2011 - 04:51
Rating: 7
Fat & Sassy!
Elite
Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.06.2011 at 04:49

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 22.06.2011 at 04:46

Singer totally has this Ian Curtis thing going on from pics I've seen. XD

I'd hit it.


>_>....... Even during intense and passionate moments, he's awl lyk dis:



;-;
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22.06.2011 - 04:53
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Fat & Sassy! on 22.06.2011 at 04:51

;-;

I stand by what I said.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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25.06.2011 - 07:48
Rating: 7
Fat & Sassy!
Elite
So, I watched the couple live sets these guys have on YouTube, and I'm not sure I understand the "hipster" label douchebags are throwing on them. Like seriously. They are just dudes being dudes playing music. Just because they are clean-cut and didn't dress up to play black metal makes them "hip"? Bah. The music is pretty raw and sincere, and that's all that matters anyway. And if anything, their non-existent "image" is more proof how honest the music actually is. >_>
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25.06.2011 - 14:24
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Fat & Sassy! on 25.06.2011 at 07:48

So, I watched the couple live sets these guys have on YouTube, and I'm not sure I understand the "hipster" label douchebags are throwing on them. Like seriously. They are just dudes being dudes playing music. Just because they are clean-cut and didn't dress up to play black metal makes them "hip"? Bah. The music is pretty raw and sincere, and that's all that matters anyway. And if anything, their non-existent "image" is more proof how honest the music actually is. >_>

Precisely. Black metal, possibly more so than other forms of metal, is more about the philosophy than the sound, more about the ideology than the talent. Corpse paint and bullet belts and carrying around goat heads used to be what was a major "fuck off" to the mainstream, because it was about defying rules. People on the outside looked on with disgust and judged the scene for its apparent lack of civility. People killed each other, burned down churches, worshiped Satan, etc.

Now, this new generation of black metal bands are just improving upon that same theory. Fuck the rules, and by that, I mean fuck what has become mainstream of black metal. Not by writing another poorly produced minimalistic black metal opus about grim and frostbitten kingdoms, but by moving on from the stereotypes that black metal musicians created for themselves 20 years ago.

They aren't in some way conforming to a style that caters to a Bieber-esque fanbase. They still play black metal. The only difference is there is a more significant focus on the music, which in turn gives the philosophical and ideological aspects a major boost, and the way they dress is simply a fuck you to the likes of Abbath and Gaahl.

(I'm not saying I think old school black metal is in any way a joke. It's my favorite style, especially considering its initial push against the mainstream. I just happen to like this new movement as well.)
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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15.08.2011 - 08:25
Rating: 9
imspazzen
Picked this up on vinyl at a local record shop a few days ago. I gotta say, best listening experience I've had in a long time.
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15.08.2011 - 18:05
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by imspazzen on 15.08.2011 at 08:25
Picked this up on vinyl at a local record shop a few days ago.

Damn you're lucky. If the local HMV/Sunrise ever carried black metal vinyls I think I'd shit myself out of pure joy.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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26.11.2011 - 12:12
Kenos
Account deleted
"Violet" must be one of the best songs I've heard...
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26.11.2011 - 22:38
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Guest on 26.11.2011 at 12:12
"Violet" must be one of the best songs I've heard...

Definitely my favorite of the 4 songs on the album.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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04.02.2012 - 07:13
Rating: 10
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
O.o



I actually liked this.
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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04.02.2012 - 17:08
Milena
gloom cookie
Staff
Written by Boxcar Willy on 04.02.2012 at 07:13

I actually liked this.

Why so surprised? I'm not a black metal fan and I'm not a bit Alcest fan, but I find a lot of these blackgaze/metalgaze nominees really nice and relaxing.
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7.0 means the album is good
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04.02.2012 - 17:18
Rating: 10
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Written by Milena on 04.02.2012 at 17:08

Written by Boxcar Willy on 04.02.2012 at 07:13

I actually liked this.

Why so surprised? I'm not a black metal fan and I'm not a bit Alcest fan, but I find a lot of these blackgaze/metalgaze nominees really nice and relaxing.

I hardly ever like black metal, like at all.
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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04.02.2012 - 17:21
Milena
gloom cookie
Staff
Written by Boxcar Willy on 04.02.2012 at 17:18

I hardly ever like black metal, like at all.

Well, just saying that I'm the same but I do enjoy this, as well as a lot of other people, so you shouldn't be surprised
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7.0 means the album is good
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07.02.2012 - 18:56
Rating: 7
Draugen
This turned out to be a slow burner of an album for me. At first it did not manage to leave any sort of impression whatsoever and I could not put my finger on why that was. But gradually the more I listened to it, the more I felt the greatness of it.
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18.03.2012 - 03:19
Nosurper
Stinky Lips
Thanks troy, you're review encouraged me to purchase. Great, great review
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18.03.2012 - 05:30
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by Nosurper on 18.03.2012 at 03:19
Thanks troy, you're review encouraged me to purchase. Great, great review

I'm actually really not a fan of the review, but thanks for the compliment. And glad you decided to purchase it.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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