Earlier this year, Deafheaven reemerged with their massively-bleak and black-metal-blasted “Magnolia.” For “Heathen,” the second sneak preview of their forthcoming and much-anticipated Lonely People with Power, the veteran extremists are adding a dose of dreamcast, shoegazing melody.
The new tune begins with ambient vocals that conjure shades of Gregorian chant-work and the ululating score of The White Lotus. Soon enough, though, the song contrasts a java-jolted dance beat with ethereally echo-blown guitar melodies and clean-sung musings from George Clarke.
While it initially plays closer to the shoegazing influences of Deafheaven’s sound, the track does eventually freefall into feral shrieks and hellacious blasts. You can hear for yourself up above.
As previously reported, Deafheaven’s fifth full-length will apparently be “expanding stylistic boundaries” for the veteran group. The album was recorded at Hollywood, California’s EastWest Studios with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen (St. Vincent, M83) before being mixed by Zach Weeks (The Armed, Fuming Mouth).
Lonely People With Power is out March 28th via Roadrunner Record, and an exclusive variant of the album on “Honeyed Heat”-colored vinyl, limited to 500 copies, can be found in Revolver‘s shop.
Likewise, Deafheaven are set to launch a North American tour this April to support the new LP. Joining the band throughout the 27-show trip will be desert-born death-metal unit Gatecreeper and heavy shoegazers Trauma Ray. You’ll find the tour info here.
