In this longform interview with Triple R resident metalhead Mia Timpano, Deafheaven vocalist and lyricist George Clarke explains the importance of sensitivity and vulnerability in the extreme metal band’s music (‘We always felt like the music didn’t make sense without the emotional weight behind it,’ George says), why he’s gotten his shit together in recent years (and how this has been to the benefit of the entire band), and how random acts of the most mundane kindness inspired their latest album, Ordinary Corrupt Human Love.

George also tells us what to expect from Deafheaven’s 2019 Australian tour: higher energy; more liveliness; and ‘moments of fun reprieve amidst the blast-beating’.