Deafheaven
6th June 2022
San Fran, Wellington, New Zealand
Review by Rene Black, photography by Garry Thomas.
On a cold Tuesday night in Wellington it was warming not only physically but spiritually to enter San Fran to a full and eager crowd, all gathered to welcome back the eclectic Californian based legends Deafheaven, as well as to bid farewell to local heavyweight juggernauts Tuscoma. Both acts whom I was not completely familiar with musically, yet was happily – but not entirely surprisingly, entranced and impressed with what was to unfold before me and the rest of the baying crowd.
Tuscoma took to the stage basked in sinister red lighting, with a huge and all encompassing drum sound provided by the solid playing of Joe Wright, immediately setting the tone of an aural wasteland set amidst a barrage of monstrous, dirging heavy riffage provided by bassist Craig Leahy’s mammoth bass tone – this is one hell of a tight rhythm section for vocalist/guitarist Kurt Williams to weave his oftentimes cinematic, doom laiden riffs and brutal vocal layering through – going from dark screams to guttural lows.
Doom, progressive, tribal and black metal influences awash a sea of well placed blast beats and well written songs, these guys instantly won me over. Sad to know this band is ending, but great to see them leaving their legacy going out in brutal, unforgettable fashion. In fact, Tuscoma was my pick of the night as their riffs are truly stuck in my mind in their gargantuan form!! If you’re in Auckland for Thursday nights show at the Tuning Fork be sure to get in early to support these guys, you won’t be disappointed.
Next up was Deafheaven – having not graced our shores since 2019, they were back to stake their claim and lay down their unique brand of blackened alt-metal.
With the stage now drenched in a stark and cold blue light, the band came out strong with a magnificent Jimmy Scott cover, albiet with a black metal styled approach – vocalist George Clark screaming full noise like the demonic/abrasive lovechild of Rob Halford and Diamanda Galas, stalking the front rows and commanding the crowd as the band churned through classic favorites from earlier albums as well as newer material.
Deafheaven clearly have strong musical influences that are far removed from the usual black metal shrieks and blastbeats, often harking back to 80’s gothic rock like The Cure while touching on psychedelic ‘Pink Floyd’ leanings with obvious pop and alternative musical overtones, it was interesting and ever-changing throughout the set and the crowd absolutely ate from the hands of these talented and eclectic musicians.
Bassist Chris Johnson held down a soulful and solid feel along with drummer Daniel Tracy, they created a versatile tapestry for the churning and twisting twin guitars of Shiv Mehra and Kerry McCoy, who provided some stunning lead work that was memorable and worthy of high praise.
Some of the bands newer work, which is vastly more commercial with lower range vocals didn’t quite hit with the same impact as earlier favorites, but none the less helped the set flow into the final stages where they ended with an encore more brutally executed, leaving the crowd thoroughly entertained yet thirsty for more.
Deafheaven unashamedly wore many influences on their musical sleeves and laid down a stunning set, which impressed the appreciative crowd. Promising to come back in the not too distant future to once again lay their claim as a tight and impressive unit, I for one will be first in line to score tickets.
Deafheaven:
Tuscoma:
Were you there at San Fran for this superb blackened alt-metal gig? Or have you seen Deafheaven perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Sycamore Trees [Jimmy Scott cover]
- Black Brick
- Interlude (Irresistable)
- Sunbather
- Gifts for the Earth
- In Blur
- Great Mass of Color
- Worthless Animal
- Mombasa
- Brought to the Water
- Dream House
Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission at no cost to you.
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Great review!!
Awesome review and gig. (need to change the sub-head from 2022 to 2023)