ALBUM REVIEW: Lonely People With Power – Deafheaven

March 31, 2025 Will Marshall

Few bands inspire as much division in black metal as DEAFHEAVEN. From the pastel shades of Sunbather’s artwork, its use of major chord progressions and then eventually 2021’s near-total jettisoning of extremity for a gorgeously layered toke on shoegaze with Infinite Granite, they’ve challenged listeners as much as they have the borders of black metal itself. Naturally then, and almost in response to Infinite Granite, sixth album Lonely People With Power picks up where 2019 standalone single Black Brick left off, finding the band taking some of the layered melody back, while delivering arguably their heaviest record to date.

Even with the return to extremity, one of the most interesting aspects of Lonely People With Power is its structure; breaking up the tracklist are three interludes, one at the very start as an intro (Incidental I), that kicks into the mid-paced stomp of Doberman. The ramp up is gradual, but by the time the double kicks hit, DEAFHEAVEN are already in flying form with George Clarke’s acerbic vocals some of his best yet. There’s light and shade throughout, as it employs quieter passages late on before a furious crescendo.

Lead single Magnolia is all cascading drums before unveiling its fury, a thundering groove hitting partway through that grinds and stomps with glee. The first glimmer of anything approaching the softness of Infinite Granite isn’t until Heathen, where Clarke’s voice takes on an ethereal quality, but this time DEAFHEAVEN use it as a springboard to gorgeous washes of blackgaze that are interspersed by softness. Despite the abrasiveness present across the album, as with the best blackgaze and as they’ve done since Sunbather, DEAFHEAVEN forego evil or ugliness instead for absolutely stunning soundscapes. Often there’s a sense of loneliness (as the title would suggest), and melancholy, but it’s always utterly arresting.

The tentpoles – if they can be called that – of the Incidental interludes ensure that Lonely People With Power allows for careful reflection. Incidental II features Jae Matthews of BOY HARSHER, while Incidental III has INTERPOL’s Paul Banks. The former features unsettling electronics with an almost GGGOLDDD mixed with GODFLESH sensibility to them and Matthews’ voice. It’s followed by Revelator, which acts as a mailed fist straight to the skull. Frantic blast beats and desperate screeches give way to a thundering groove, possibly the most “metal” one DEAFHEAVEN have ever penned as it thrashes with abandon like the SKELETONWITCH or IMMORTAL of old.

The detour away from black metal has done DEAFHEAVEN wonders; all the threads pulled on Infinite Granite are explored here through a wholly more extreme, bombastic lens. The various facets the band have explored on five previous albums reach their natural conclusion on Lonely People With Power, its examinations of social dynamics and how those with the most are often the loneliest offered up not just through lyricism but oft yearning melodies. While Clarke mostly screams, offering little of the melodic voice he found before, it’s still used sparingly and to greater effect, all the while backed by some of the best instrumentals DEAFHEAVEN have ever penned. Electrifying, and utterly essential.

Rating: 9/10