July 9th 2026
The Forum, Melbourne.
Deafheaven’s return to Melbourne was something I had deeply looked forward to. As a fan of over 10 years, Deafheaven is an act you cannot miss. Inside the Forum, the Californian five-piece transformed the ornate surrounds into a wall of deafening beauty, where black metal’s ferocity collided with shimmering post-rock melodies and moments of startling vulnerability.
Opening with the cinematic “Incidental I”, the band wasted no time launching into “Doberman”, immediately establishing the crushing intensity that would define the evening. Frontman George Clarke remained an electrifying focal point throughout, stalking the stage with restless energy, throwing himself into every scream while guitarist Kerry McCoy anchored the chaos with soaring melodies that cut cleanly through the distortion.
Material from Lonely People With Power dominated the performance without overshadowing fan favourites. “Magnolia” and “The Garden Route” showcased the band’s continued evolution, balancing blast beats with expansive passages that seemed to suspend time. Meanwhile, “Amethyst” shimmered with an almost dreamlike quality before collapsing into waves of controlled noise.
Older material received thunderous reactions. “Brought to the Water” carried an ominous weight that rippled through the packed venue, while “Sunbather” served as a reminder of the record that forever changed perceptions of modern black metal. Hearing its towering crescendos reverberate through the Forum felt both nostalgic and invigorating.
The emotional peak arrived late in the set. “Revelator” built steadily before giving way to a breathtaking rendition of “Dream House”, its euphoric climax drawing one of the loudest responses of the night. Rather than ending on pure spectacle, Deafheaven closed with “Winona”, allowing its haunting conclusion to linger long after the amplifiers fell silent.
Throughout the night, the band’s chemistry was impeccable. Every transition felt deliberate, every crescendo earned. Even amid overwhelming volume, the intricate guitar interplay and dynamic shifts remained remarkably clear, demonstrating just how refined Deafheaven’s live performances have become.
For a band once dismissed as outsiders within the metal community, this performance was a powerful reminder that genre boundaries have long since become irrelevant. Deafheaven delivered a set that was as emotionally resonant as it was sonically devastating, leaving Melbourne exhausted, exhilarated and completely captivated.
Deafheaven forever.
Behind the lens Marc Stapleberg
Words by Shelby Lane
