Sunbather 10 Years Later

Listen to the album: deafheavens.bandcamp.com/albu...
The original review: • Deafheaven - Sunbather...
More American black metal artists you should check out:
Agalloch: agalloch.bandcamp.com/
Krallice: krallice.bandcamp.com/
Liturgy: liturgy.bandcamp.com/
Panopticon: thetruepanopticon.bandcamp.com/
Wolves in the Throne Room: wolvesinthethroneroom.bandcam...
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[@BrofUJu]

Album cover was supposed to be the colour you see when you close your eyes and the sun is shining on you. Super cool.

[@mocapcow2933]

That’s so cool, but I can not relate, for I am a poor little boy who can’t afford to even see the see. Nor close my eyes.

[@a.alonso5132]

The album cover is one of the main reasons for why this album got so huge. People always ignore how much of an impact an amazing album cover can have in album sales and shit. As a “metalhead” myself, I was so fascinated by seeing such a beautifully flamboyant looking album art in the metal section of some metal websites; that was the reason for why I decided to check this album out ten years ago. It’s just the perfect album cover imo

[@kve5520]

i always thought it looked like a shampoo bottle design

[@alexbielovich]

@@a.alonso5132 100% - fascinating how album art influences the attention an album gets, much like a book cover.

[@5ycey7.n.84]

​@@a.alonso5132 Very true. Most metal covers try to capture the brutality of the album even if there's a lot of beauty in it. Sunbather pretty much does the opposite. Kinda some genius marketing honestly.

[@dazady452001]

I was depressed and massively overweight in 2013. This album lifted me up so much. It got me out of the house and I would walk around my city for hours listening to it. It was so uplifting walk in the sun to this. I lost 150lbs, got a job, met a girl (showed her this album and took her to see them) had a kid and changed my life. This album is so important for me it’s crazy. I don’t know what I’d be like today without it. It was a kick up the ass I needed. Great stuff.

[@TheeDeeM]

This album changed your life so much that I almost feel this comment is satire. Glad to hear you're doing better!

[@dazady452001]

@@TheeDeeM I felt like putting ‘unsubscribed’ at the end.

[@jimjamjoo7938]

fucking respect

[@zackzallie8735]

This feels authentic af. Imagine how much music can changed your whole perspective of life. Dang.

[@lucashshsbsbsb]

props to you dude. glad to hear you’re doing well

[@JonSudano]

Huge DH fanboy here, loved this album, loved their later releases even more. They are one of the most enduring blackgaze acts out there and Sunbather still holds up 10 years later. They've influenced a lot of the music I listen to now.

[@Pundit07]

So, when are you going to “All Star-ify” it?

[@ghastlyshimmer]

Agree

[@thetrentmeister]

My favourite one is New Bermuda.

[@tycho_m]

your Sunbather drum short is amazing. Stay strong my dude, you're never alone going through the toughest of times

[@KendrickMegaFan]

You’re awesome Jon, hope you’re doing ok.

[@cesarv2804]

I'll never forget thinking this was a pop album just because of the cover.

[@sanfordcurtis8242]

I remember seeing the CD on the shelves of a record store in Aug 2013 and I thought it was a house/ dance album. How wrong I was 😂

[@ryanmoorman7799]

Dream House, Sunbather, and The Pecan Tree are all 10/10 tracks. Not many songs can take me to the place 'The Pecan Tree' does emotionally. Stunning album. EDIT: smh, forgot Vertigo (rightfully called out for it)

[@GrahamBarth]

I know Anthony hated it, but I felt that way about a lot of songs from Ordinary Corrupt Human Love. Glint was one of their best, I think, and Honeycomb and Canary Yellow are bangers. Love Sunbather too, obviously, but Glint always gets me.

[@Rollerpowner]

vertigo is 11/10 then

[@Mighty_Atheismo]

Agreed. The emotionally evocative power, grandeur of this album is rare in any kind of music let alone modern popular music. Truly awesome. Like staring down at the Grand Canyon or watching the sun set over the mountains, it's so easy to be overcome by the enormity and splendor of this albums sound. There are maybe three? musical compositions I can name that are as affecting as this album.

[@elnombre91]

​@@Rollerpownerdamn you right

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

And Vertigo is 11/10 I guess because it's the best song on the album.

[@jackmcmuscles]

“I am my father’s son / I am no one / I cannot love / It’s in my blood” still knocks me on my ass every time I hear it

[@doublehsword6508]

The way the whole track and especially this final part is executed blows my mind with every listen!

[@theamazingsushi2850]

One of my favorite albums of all time. An experience that makes you feel every emotion in one.

[@vinceeager8553]

Much like 100 Gecs - Frog On The Floor

[@derk.ex.machina]

Cool retrospective, Anthony! I didn't really get into this record when it first came out, and I still haven't given it a chance. I'm probably not going to. Thanks!

[@desperatelycravingahamsandwich]

It's really intense sometimes but there's a feeling of beauty to it, which most black metal records don't really have lol

[@MetagrossOverlordX]

I know we like to meme a lot but even i, as someone who doesn't really care about most of the experimental stuff Anthony does, thinks Sunbather is great In fact, Dream House is imo a contender for the greatest opening track of the 2010s if not ever (yes, I think it's better than Wesley's Theory). Listen to that song at the very least

[@brendanmcnally2335]

Try listening to it while studying

[@popdanish4969]

Closed mind

[@desperatelycravingahamsandwich]

@@MetagrossOverlordX it's true. dream house literally made me cry first listen

[@SuperBrutalCabbage]

Sunbather is honestly my favourite song of all time. I genuinely can't put into words how much i love it.

[@WillowAelfin]

I'm going to see Deafheaven perform this album in its entirety next week! Super excited 😁

[@acornbird]

lucky!!!!! that's awesome i'm happy for u

[@rupe82]

Don't forget earplugs unless you want tinnitus.

[@WillowAelfin]

@@rupe82 Appreciate the heads up but after I saw a festival years ago that involved My Bloody Valentine and Swans I never forget my earplugs 😅

[@irpwellyn]

Wellington?

[@WillowAelfin]

@@irpwellyn Hobart 😁

[@desperatelycravingahamsandwich]

This was actually the record that got me into black metal and I'm forever grateful for it. It stands to this day one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@BrofUJu]

That's awesome. I had been listening to bm for years already and there were so many gate keepers saying this album sucked, but it's absolutely awesome.

[@Peysure]

thanks waddledee

[@desperatelycravingahamsandwich]

@@BrofUJu yeah i was blown away during first listen. i don't go back to it often in order for me to preserve the feeling but when i do it's so beautiful.

[@irpwellyn]

The Hybrid Theory of Black Metal

[@timothyrowe7206]

Nice!

[@noelci8846]

I always find that people underrate how important the Screamo influence was for their sound. The vocals and especially the drumming are something you get from a Portraits of Past or Orchid record more than a Burzum or Ulver. That's why most blackgaze acts that came after felt so drab, because most of them didn't reach the cathartic heights of a Dream House or Sunbather since they focused on the atmospheric elements from Post-Metal and Atmoblack. This catharsis is what made Deafheaven special in my opinion and was replicated very rarely. The closest I'd say would be those old envy records they definitely took influence from and the new Asunojokei release which gives the blackgaze formula a new shiny post-hc edge that feels like an even more accessible cathartic sound that resembles Deafheaven, which I both heavily recommend. When I saw Deafheaven live with Touche Amore and Portrayal of Guilt is when this all made more sense to me.

[@ahmano666]

there's Envy all over this record (which is why I love it)

[@joshk5686]

Yeah I've always felt like they were more of the vein of shoegaze meets OG screamo than black metal as much. Listening to some early screamo has really solidified that idea to me.

[@RibeiroGames12]

no idea why PoG is considered skramz, t heysound exactly like early Full of Hell lol. About your analysis of Deafheaven, makes sense, but its probably only their post-rock influences playing a role, because i've never found any of them talking about being influenced by skramz.

[@RibeiroGames12]

@@joshk5686 skramz with over 6 minutes songs, shrieks, blast beats and tremolo picking, what ? even their debut demos and eps had black metal fonts

[@Arinisonfire]

​@Familia Andrade plenty of screamo has songs over 6 minutes lol. Ever heard of Envy? Also early Portrayal of Guilt is totally screamo, not so much anymore as they've shifted to blackened sludge, but their early shit is pure screamo, right down to the Chris Taylor art

[@GustavoSilva-mn1dp]

Sunbather, Celestial Lineage, Marrow of the Spirit, Teethed Glory and Injury, Eccailes de Lune, Roads to the North. The post/atmospheric scene was thriving in the 2010s. Had so much fun discovering all of these amazing works back then ❤

[@theyescapedtheweightofdarkness]

Marrow of the spirit is my favorite album of all time

[@neverclosetoperfect]

Mesarthim's album ".- -​.​.​. .​.​. . -. -​.​-​. ." is a must listen if this is your vibe

[@caoimhingutierrez1242]

'I want to be there' by sadness is actually a pretty good black gaze album, and it's decently recent

[@AcherontiaStyx]

Pink cover black metal albums remain elite

[@lowbudgetmop3541]

One of my favorites, love how melancholic and moody everything on it feels

[@jacksonn5240]

Very lush and full sound on that album, it's pretty great though I think some of his other is better

[@loscfoarmy]

i love that album

[@vscythe_]

I'd say it's def not his best 😅 also he has a really REALLY crazy amount of projects that I'm trying to dive through, each one of them sounds very different from the others and I'm still wondering how on earth a single guy can drop this much music and moreso consistently being good or great most of the time

[@Cabal97]

Deafheaven is one of the most interesting bands in the genre over the last 10 years. I've seen them live a few times, and they are as ferocious as they are shoegazy. Love it and bring on the haters.

[@TheTrueFool]

I recall the vitriol within the metal community about the "hipster metal" of Deafheaven and Pantopticon. It's kind of funny to look back on, especially with Panopticon because Austin Lunn has become so respected within the genre.

[@andrei11dr]

Which is pretty ironic because when I type Transylvanian Hunger into KZbin, I get like 50 videos of hipster girls covering the title track on the piano 😂

[@connarish]

thats why its important to listen to what you like and pay no mind to music politics

[@Slabfish]

How was panopticon seen as hipster or just rejected in general? Kentucky is in my top 5 and every album and project he is on is so consistently excellent, so that makes me sad :(

[@c4gam1ng12]

@@SlabfishThey were seen as “hipster” because they weren’t making generic, poorly produced 90s Norwegian black metal revivalism.

[@metalnut92]

​@@Slabfish They're American, and they dabble in other genres (bluegrass, folk). Also, Austin has very outspoken left-wing views - that was enough for a lot of people to decry them.

[@andrewwdavvid]

The transition from Irresistable to the title track is one of my favorites of all time. Ten years later, it still jumpscares me every time.

[@Myiic]

Somthing about the soundscape here, it never fails to make me choke up. Like a ballet preformed from pure spite. Burning sunset skies painted over a war. Anger and pain accentuated by beauty.

[@zRunes]

Love the way you described it. Something about the distortion on this album really bleeds together into a soundscape of pure emotion. To me, it's the best I've felt music communicate sonic Regret. An overpowering passion of regret.

[@jackbrown4996]

Here’s hoping that we might get one of these retrospectives for Like Clockwork as well!

[@dannygibson2597]

The biggest reason this album was so successful (besides the songs being good) is because of the dichotomy between the heaviness of the genre and the aesthetic of the album. Pink cover, called Sunbather, it's a black metal album wrapped in Beach House, tropical, dream pop packaging. This had never been done.

[@illme3435]

It wouldn't work if it didn't fit the feel of the album, but it doesn't just fit it it's the only proper packaging.

[@canceresbunny]

I really love Ordinary Corrupt Human Love.

[@Akirasloss]

From start to finish it’s an experience

[@83draconian]

Me too, it's actually my favorite DH album

[@17Tomtac]

I would highly recommend Agalloch’s Ashes Against the Grain. The layered guitar intro always pulls me into the apocalyptic album.

[@kve5520]

ive been listening to this album for the past few days (Along with their 2002 record The Mantle) and it's really amazing!

[@theyescapedtheweightofdarkness]

one of the greatest pieces of music ever conceived

[@irkhan4505]

The fact that it was released in 2002 is mindblowing

[@theyescapedtheweightofdarkness]

@@irkhan4505 that's the mantle, ashes was 2006

[@irkhan4505]

@@theyescapedtheweightofdarkness yep, confused them:)

[@sachitechless]

Recent blackgaze album Island by Asunojokei feels like the most recent big blackgaze record that feels like a great continuation of the kind of sound and atmosphere that Sunbather created. Also something I found listening to this record early this year, this album's really good at keeping your attention for something not looking for just a huge thing to sit down and chew on, there's this really good pacing where there are often really exciting short tracks to break up the longer more thought out tracks.

[@irpwellyn]

Chimera SOTY 2022

[@andersk9818]

Thanks for this, totally went under my radar.

[@pdlkmusic]

So sick to see someone talking about Asunojokei in the comments

[@tweekin7out]

i had heard the track gaze off that album and nothing else and thought this was a troll comment, no idea they were this genre.

[@andrei11dr]

I heavily recommend Diorama by MØL if you're into blackgaze or even just black metal in general

[@AllwaysKING]

This album was my introduction to everything metal. I still get watery eyes whenever I get to the 2nd half of Dream House.

[@bolillo5013]

Not a common gateway to metal but cool

[@jeremiahriojas3584]

same

[@bestwesterner]

I had a very moving experience seeing Deafheaven live shortly after this release. So much raw energy braahhhh

[@maxyboy9648]

Discovered this band a month ago and im in love (yes even infinite granite is amazing and boundary pushing for them)

[@abadtime3319]

IG is an underrated record imo

[@enri_mucca]

And shout out to the OG kvlt 'muricans (well, not the very first US black metal band, but the one that really kickstarted the scene): Weakling with their 2000 album Dead As Dreams. If you are new to the genre, I highly recommend this masterpiece (which you can find only on KZbin due to how rare it is): 5 long PERFECT tracks with rawness, melodies, emotions and sonic exploration. You cannot talk about 2000s black metal without this seminal opus.

[@draugsvoll01]

Approved. Can't believe melon made a whole video about USBM without mentioning it once

[@footwinner1]

This one is amazing.

[@bb-sw6ur]

hard agree

[@Cyberfauna]

Dead ass dreams

[@destroyallheresy]

This album changed my life. Actually. One of the best metal albums EVER! I can’t say enough good things about it!

[@hydraglyphics]

Obsequiae is another incredible black metal band (imo) that I hardly ever hear anyone talking about. Not the same style as Deafheaven but they have a really cool sound, probably best described as “medieval black metal”. It’s really beautiful stuff and they have a lot of short acoustic instrumental interludes that add a lot to that vibe.

[@Hopesfallout]

Absolutely, they're outstanding and got a very unique sound. "Medieval" doesn't even do it justice, considering how many black metal bands take inspiration from medieval themes, but I can't think of a better descriptor either.

[@AeonsOfFrost]

Aria of Vernal Tombs was my favorite album of 2015. Not favorite metal album, favorite *album.* I still get choked up by the harmonies in Anlace and Heart, and Orphic Rites of the Mystic has some of the most poetic metal lyrics ever.

[@chewyk8616]

Asunojokei's Island is an album that wears its black-gaze influences such as Deafheaven on its sleeves. Incredibly heartfelt record that i think everyone should check out

[@thedogfromraditude5449]

Man, such a great album. I got it on vinyl just the other day. Also day one of asking to see Cal Chuchesta in corpse paint.

[@CrashDunning]

Holy Fawn is the current top band in this sound that people really need to hear.

[@MrPhillGD]

Not super recent (2018) but JORD by Denmark's MØL is one of my favourite blackgaze albums to come out, which is fairly late into the genre's boom. Might not have been the most groundbreaking, but the vocals were on another level. Amazing live band too, I think I've enjoyed their sets more than any Deafheaven set that I've seen!

[@dougdelyser2734]

Woah Anthony mentioned Lantlos, love that band

[@kelleyreeves965]

To anyone here that likes black metal (especially atmospheric BM), you have to see WITTR live. Still one of the best live acts I've ever seen

[@IXIBathoryIXI]

I had the privilege of seeing WITTR on tour with Pelican and Tombs during Two Hunters era. They played the whole album and like a song off Diadem. It was an amazing show, they sounded so god damn spooky and dense live. Would be my #1 show until I saw Deafheaven/Boris live.

[@Malkav65]

My wife and I saw WITTR together. I achieved enlightenment; she fell asleep on a bench at the back of the venue. Both valid experiences, I feel

[@EverythingWentSideways]

this album was a pivotal step for me in expanding my taste in heavy music beyond screamo / death metal. would have never gotten into panopticon or an autumn for crippled children had i not given this album a chance. edit: also The Pecan Tree is one of those songs that hits just right every time i go back to it.

[@Obscure128]

as a long time viewer of your content, i friggin love these 10 year anniversary retrospectives. please keep ‘em coming

[@CaptnShred]

This album speaks to me on a different level, both lyrically and musically. One of my favorites of all time. I also appreciate the departure from the typical black metal visual language.

[@FESTIVUSIVDRUMMER]

Never in a million years did I ever expect to hear Lantlos shouted out in a Fantano vid 😂

[@connarish]

Sunbather does so many things so well all at once, it really was a cool moment in time to experience it.

[@tylerhackner9731]

They still killing it

[@thetrentmeister]

I still like this album a lot and I’m glad you took the time to look back at it 10 years later. I learned about it initially through your original review. Thanks man.

[@IndieAuthorX]

Heard Dreamhouse on the radio and I instantly believed I could like heavy music again. I never thought that was possible. It was an instant emotional reaction. It captured me as a listener.

[@FlabbergastedPear]

Play Irresistible from Sunbather over any part of this video, Anthony's voice fits perfectly for some reason

[@GoldJerryGold]

Just discovered this one a few months ago and I can’t get enough. Saw em live last month. 10/10 for me. So beautiful

[@nieknellen8155]

Saw them play this puppy at Roadburn festival (in its entirety) and it was AMAZING.

[@yummyjackalmeat]

Seen em live several times in the last 10 years.

[@manynukes11]

10 years later, it's still making black metal fans mad

[@MetalPersonJ]

No, it's making you mad for shit taste.

[@bitbat9]

@@MetalPersonJI think you proved their point

[@manynukes11]

@@bitbat9 what did he say lol

[@rupe82]

59% on Metallum.

[@laurenzimmerman3887]

Never thought fantano would make a video of the effects of sun on the skin

[@punkrockeaglescout]

your Sunbather review was the first video I ever saw from you, so happy 10 years of me watching your stuff as well lol

[@pizzashorts887]

Just saw Def heaven live who was opening for Coheed and Cambria. They were so good

[@FabulousResults]

Seeing this video title made me feel very old. Thanks Anthony!

[@sevrent2811]

For anyone who craves the Sunbather sound, a really similar album is Melting Sun - Lantlos.

[@thegreatbritishgamer751]

What a album!

[@voidfeast]

One recent blackgaze/adjacent release that surprised me was Wounds of Recollection's "Warm Glow of the End of Everything." I wouldn't posit that it's as experimental as something like Liturgy, though the songwriting, production, and emotional draw are all there for me. Other contemporary works that have stuck with me are from Damián Antón Ojeda (Sadness, life, & many other aliases) - I don't know how he wields so much creative potential - and Tanpopo Crisis, whose album "Millennium Flower" holds a very special place in my heart.

[@santiagovilla666]

DH played in Bogotá, Colombia, a few months ago, and I was impressed by how lovely George and Kerry were with the fans. Signed autographs and took selfies until the last person in the audience was satisfied. Great guys.

[@LxdyNyx]

Deafheaven got me into metal and are my all time favorite band

[@Vemberwost]

This album is such an intense emotional experience and an overall work of beauty. I somewhat agree with KZbinr Finn McKenty in that a lot of the hate the record got from purists might have been more due to its appeal to indie audiences, its presentation and its popularity and less due to the actual music. Which is a shame because the record got me into a lot of "real" oldschool black metal as well. 😕

[@grimreads]

Add a lot of gaslighting as well. BM was experimental since the early 90s and there is a ton of strange/atmospheric/genre defying albums from the OGs. However, since a lot of it is European and not-exactly-mainstream publications were like "bm is stagnant and cookie cutter and those brave American boys are changing everything. Also, yes, purists will hate anyone in BM that gets more approachable and/or popular. Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and Satyricon also got a lot of hate.

[@lizzz-io9sb]

Please do a review of Wayfarer - a romamce with violence . It's on of the best American black metal album out there

[@gmvde7202]

This album is - by far - the best suggestion Spotify has ever done to me. Started listening 3yrs ago and haven’t stopped.

[@MrWaynealex]

Also ...Like Clockwork turns 10 years old this weekend. Guess it would be interesting to hear Anthony's thoughts on it too, given that it was in his top-3 albums of 2013

[@Bekayvd]

This is one of the most important records in my musical journey. Got me into extreme metal and on a path to more experimental stuff. Amazing record. If everything goes well, I'm going to see it performed live in its entirety this summer at arctangent, hype is real.

[@oo-kt1is]

Weirdly enough, your sunbather review got me into Envy and i've been a crazy huge fan since

[@soulspace9088]

Just an incredible album that most definitely deserves a retrospective review. Nice one Anthony.

[@jonlocke7112]

I STILL listen to Sunbather at least weekly.

[@gimo80]

Utterly breathtaking record. The wall of sound is just next level and it’s elevated with such passionate vocals. I know it’s popular to hate Deafheaven but Dream House is one of my all time favourite songs, just goosebump inducing.

[@AvidCat5000]

Never heard of it beyond seeing the album cover. Just gave it a play... Oh. I've found something new and cool sounding. Black Metal isn't my favorite genre, but this album / band weaves it on a different angle. ❤🤘

[@Sound_Judgement]

Was literally listening to this album again today, on vinyl for the first time, not even realizing it was the 10 year anniversary of its release. Holds up to this day as one of my favorite albums, and the one that made me understand the appeal of extreme metal.

[@insertcoinracing1582]

People hating this record with such a fervent passion tells me it's more about themselves than the music. I just saw this album on tour the other night in SF. It was really really good. They hinted that their next album is going back to a heavier sound then played Luna last, so maybe there's more to come from this type of sound.

[@sebastiangrant9420]

Saw them in Washington around the same time, they echoed that same sentiment, said if you like this next song you're going to love the new album (which sounded imminent) and then proceeded to play Brought to the Water, hard as fuck and so immense and lovely, cant wait for more Brought/Luna sounding stuff

[@kelleyreeves965]

I wish you'd do one of these for Teethed Glory and Injury by Altar of Plagues, which came out March(?) Of 2013 🔥 that album changed my life fr, and I prefer it to Sunbather

[@moxvoid5926]

Best post-something-bm album of the last decade.

[@c4gam1ng12]

It’s an amazing album, but definitely not as influential or as popular as Sunbather

[@HeadbangingGlory]

I remember seeing them live playing this album in its entirety and it was incredible. I’ve never seen them live sense because it’s never going to top that experience with what they’ve been doing lately.

[@mavisevelyn618]

this and Converge’s Jane Doe are my favorite albums ever

[@diamondrel5190]

I'm leaving my comfort space of Power Metal recently, getting into some BM, primarily from Curta'n Wall - Siege Ubsessed, which is such an excellent record.

[@josiahmedin2216]

This is the album that got me into metal as a whole. I remember I used to turn on the record and just sit outside and daydream in the summer. This album is incredibly nostalgic for me now. I think this album did for blackgaze for a brief moment what nevermind did for grunge. (Underground) labels were scrambling to sign the next deafheaven for a while and lots of other bands with the same sound started getting signed

[@overtheunder1133]

This is an introduction for me... I've never even knew this existed... amazing album. thankyou

[@KendrickMegaFan]

Saw them live and love all their records. So great

[@fe3bal]

This album hitting me at 27 was just perfect timing. One of the best summers of my life, and this was the soundtrack.

[@Maduc]

Sunbather introduced me to black metal and now while I don't listen to DH much anymore they're the reason I listen to what have now been my favorite bands for years. Shoutout Caladan Brood and Mesarthim ✊️✊️✊️

[@honkifyourelonely1651]

This album got me into black metal *and* shoegaze. Pretty great.

[@santosfabianramos]

Welcome aboard, Broski 🎸🎶

[@HendersonHinchfinch]

I owe a lot to this album. It got me into other amazing albums like White Tomb, Two Hunters, and Marrow of the Spirit

[@DropJeongMi]

bruh thats crazy i saw deafheaven in sydney last night, great show and a great band!

[@Malkav65]

Sun bat her? I hardly know her!

[@DylanMurray360]

Still trips me out I discovered Canary Yellow from a Snapchat ad probably eight years ago. Only good use I got out of that app

[@shadowpheonix1751]

Really wish Anthony would talk about Metal more often, it’s a genre I always considered my favorite before I started getting into more niche stuff and I’d be really interested by learning the history of these more underground genres

[@KarateDungeon]

Check out Heavy Metallurgy and Metal School. Both are fantastic resources on KZbin

[@martti7363]

Still an awesome album, easily the pinkest black metal album of all time 10/10

[@lordoflightning7506]

Sunbather never made sense to me. I haven't been able to get into it for that reason. I always felt it had more of an indie appeal than a metal appeal. Brought to the Water on New Bermuda is heavily to my liking, though. The triplet riff on that song bangs for sure.

[@wrek]

Seeing Deafheaven perform SUNBATHER in full at Arctangent in a couple of months, so excited! Amazing festival.

[@nerdyoutube7847]

It’s still fire. Thanks to this album for getting me into blacker music and giving me some great memories and experience

[@readymade83]

I remember walking into my regular record shop, seeing this album with a big sticker of positive reviews and picking it up. The clerk walks over to me and just said "buy it, you won't be disappointed". Driving home I had this album cranked in my car and it blew my mind. I wasn't much of an extreme metal fan and this album changed all of that for me. I love this record.

[@rockloctopus]

To me Agalloch's three albums from the 00s is the gold standard of atmospheric black metal. I've looked far for albums that match it and the only one I've found is Sorni Nai by Kauan. Deafheaven is adjacent tho, and I think their 'live' album 10 years gone is a great overview of their sound, and a great COVID era recording.

[@jimelliot4904]

I remember seeing the sunbather CD for the first time on the recommended plays shelf at my college radio station and thinking it was mislabeled as a metal album based on the cover. Just a singular experience hearing these songs for the first time

[@ValentinRobert]

I don't know this for a fact, but I'm French and felt weird about how you pronounced Alcest. Almost certain the "s" and "t" are vocalized, just as in Alceste, the French first name / main character of the Molière play "Le Misanthrope".

[@allfinesunshine5184]

So excited to see this performed at ArcTanGent this year! Also, shout out to whoever invented the 'Piss Yellow' vinyl variant

[@salgadoluca]

saw them live just a couple months ago. took a 6 hour bus to another state at dawn and took another one back home at night right after the show lol. best gig ever. they put up one hell of a show and were super friendly afterwards. sadly wasnt one of the live Sunbather shows theyve been doing but the set was pretty great. I love small venue shows.

[@Cantpickgoodhandlename]

Never listened but plan to. The cover is so beautiful and such a vibe. For this to be black metal (which is seen as a dark genre) but have a cover so bright shows genius duality. Art

[@SciFlyZ]

never my favorite music but love the break down and content.

[@DuckyZockt]

It's the record that got me into black metal/heavy music in general, will forever remain in my top 5, such a masterpiece

[@bb-sw6ur]

This video was a pleasant surprise. Kind of fucks me up to think it's been 10 years since Sunbather came out. I think everything that you said was true, but the way I would articulate it is Deafheaven took the formula that was really introduced by Alcest and dialed it up to 11 for a primarily American audience. All kinds of musicians have said that Escailles de Lune is really what made them understand the possibilities for fusing other genres with black metal. That was doubtlessly true for the guys in Deafheaven too, they just happened to be the ones who really capitalized.

[@DiomedesRangue]

The clensing is still one of my favourite songs

[@USALeonHeart]

It's funny that it's only been ten years because Sunbather was obviously an instant classic the moment it dropped and it feels like it's been around forever now.

[@prolevelcallout4597]

Sunbather was my favorite black metal album in Highschool, it got me into bands like Dark Funeral, and I still listen to it every now and then because of how dynamic the sound is.