Deafheaven is back with a blast of metal

Labels are limiting in the world of music. Some bands can be described by filing the recording artist into a certain genre. But with groups such as Deafheaven, the quintet can't be relegated to a sonic ghetto.

However, the band, which emerged out of San Francisco in 2010, has been slapped with the death metal label. But that doesn't accurately describe Deafheaven.

The quintet has elements of shoegaze, emo and post punk in its musical potpourri. That's often overlooked due to vocalist George Clarke's piercing wail. Clarke has one of the most identifiable and intense screams on the circuit. There is rage, melancholy and exhilaration in their underheralded canon.

Deafheaven, which will perform Thursday at the Capitol Theatre, emerged quickly. The band turned ears at the Austin music conference South By Southwest in 2012, courtesy of its combination of majestic music and Clarke's shrieks when the band was showcasing its powerful debut album, "Roads to Judah."

"When we came out with ‘Roads to Judah,’ it was all new to us, and it was great to see that people were into the stuff that we were doing," guitarist Kerry McKoy said. "It was really cool since you never know if what you're doing will connect with people."

The band has impressed since then by releasing five albums, including its latest, "Lonely People with Power." The new muscular tracks are a return to form. "Lonely People with Power" is quite a contrast from 2021's "Infinite Granite," which was a welcome departure.

"Infinite Granite" displays the range of a band that shows off its influences but takes those sounds to another place. Clarke sings straight throughout the atmospheric project, which is impacted by such iconic recording artists as Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins, Porcupine Tree and Tears for Fears.

"We don't want to repeat ourselves," McCoy said from Raleigh, North Carolina. "When we work on music, we don't allow ourselves to be concerned with what people are going to think of our work. We just create and put the albums out."

"Lonely People with Power" finds Deafheaven back in their sweet spot, which is full of big riffs, booming drums and Clarke's clarion call of a shriek.

"We do what we want to do," McKoy said. "If people like it, then that's great."

Deafheaven has a loyal fan base that's burgeoning since there is an audience for powerful tunes that have some hooks.

Deafheaven, which also includes drummer Daniel Tracy, guitarist Shiv Mehra and bassist Chris Johnson, is a solid live act. "It's always good to play out," McKoy said.

McCoy found his path as a kid growing up in Central California during the late '90s.

"I wasn't the most popular guy in high school," McCoy said. "I remember not being crazy about the musical trends of that time. I bought some nu metal albums back then, and I just didn't like what I was hearing. That music didn't speak to me."

So McCoy immersed himself in punk and hardcore and formed Deafheaven.

"I never thought this would be my day job," McCoy said. "I just wanted to play some house shows and work a regular job, but it all worked out for our band."

But it wasn't easy for McCoy, who grew up alienated in Modesto, California. It all started to click for McCoy when he met Clarke and moved to San Francisco.

"It helps that George is goal oriented, and so am I," McCoy said. "It's one thing to say you're going to do something and another to actually do it. We set goals and achieved them."

That's not easy to accomplish in the world of rock, which lacks development, and there's a myriad of bands out there trying to score attention.

"We made the music we want to make, and people like it," McCoy said. "You can't ask for more than that."