10 Most Controversial Metal Albums Of The 21st Century

There is a lot to be said about the black metal community. For as much as heavy metal is already a darker form of rock, the black metal spectrum often pushes every melodic factor to the side in order to create some of the most exhilarating metal ever produced. It's a very noncommercial way of life, but if you want to piss off a black metal fan, it's easy: work outside the box.

As opposed to being straight black metal fans, the members of Deafheaven always had their eyes on other genres like shoegaze and post-rock, which came out in spades once they reached Sunbather. Instead of a typical bludgeoning you would expect from a black metal release, these were songs that sounded like if My Bloody Valentine was forced to play metal music. The black metal community may have taken issue, but no one could question the flavor behind these tunes.

With years under its belt, Sunbather has become a unique entity unto itself, as it started to integrate black metal into the post-rock genre with ease. This might not be anyone's ideal pick for a black metal release, but this is probably one of the most serene listens you can have while feeling uncomfortable and scared. Hardened metalheads might bash this thing on occasion, but if you're even remotely curious as to what's going on, this is worth giving a deep dive to.