Deftones Diamond Eyes

Sometime after I began living in Arizona (I moved to Tucson in June 2001) I was at some record store (showing my age here, yes they did exist once upon a time) and was jamming to some Deftones. Another store patron came by and we started to discuss the band and their awesomeness. He then informed me that Chino (lead singer Chino Moreno) had ripped up his vocal cords and this development was probably the end of the band. I was instantly taken aback, I had never seen them in concert before and of the three albums that they had produced to that point in time, every single song was amazing. It sounded like a horrible thing for Chino and personally I was upset over the thought of there being no more Deftones. That was the point at which I realized that the Deftones were my favorite band. Moreno ended up resting his vocal cords and taking voice lessons to aid in avoiding recurrence.

Almost two years ago the Deftones faced tragedy when bassist Chi Cheng was in a car accident that eventually left him in a semi-conscious state that he remains in to this day. At that point the band was nearly complete with sessions for a new album that was to be called Eros. They had to make some difficult decisions in regard to the nearly complete album and the future of the band. The Deftones moved forward once again with friend Sergio Vega (formerly of the band quicksand) filling in for Cheng on bass. With that, they have no certain plans in regard to the Eros album waiting for Cheng to recover first.

Fifteen years after the release of their first studio release, Adrenaline, and more than twenty years after they initially formed, the Deftones have released their sixth studio album, Diamond Eyes. I was sixteen when Adrenaline was released and the instant I heard it for the first time I was hooked, in the best of ways. As I have gotten older I have come to realize that the music that has endured from my formative years include artists and music that remain endearing. For an example I am sufficiently embarrassed to admit that once upon a time I thought that the Insane Clown Posse and Eminem were talented. The Deftones, however, carry on. Their early catalog persists and with every new release introduces their fans to something new yet familiar at the same time. It is my earnest belief that one day the Deftones will be considered similarly to other bands that have extensive history like Guns ‘n Roses, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Eagles, etc.

Significant to the history of the Deftones is that as they release more music they can be recognized for what they are. Early on they were often characterized as “nu metal”, whatever that means. I think the official definition is “sounds like Korn”. That was never quite right. Then, following the 2000 release of White Pony they were characterized as “experimental metal”, which I believe is official defined as “sounds kind of like Korn but is weird in a good way like Radiohead”. Again, this was not quite right. It will always astound me the way that when something good exists, there is a rush to define it within existing boundaries. Something can be good without it having to be like something that has already been around. The Deftones are the Deftones. They are unique and each studio release expands on an already excellent catalog of Deftones music.

Diamond Eyes is instantly recognizable as a Deftones album. It is easy to assume it would, Chino Moreno’s vocals are unlike anything else. But there is more than vocals to the originality that defines this band. The bass lines of Chi Cheng and for now Sergio Vega, the intricate and diverse drumming of Abe Cunningham (fancy way of saying he belts out a multitude of cadences), the scratches and mixes (yes, I did just write both of those) of Frank Delgado and of course the hard edged, creative guitar of Stephen Carpenter.

The first single released was Rocket Skates, a hard track that often reminded reviewers of the Deftones first two albums. The track starts with a hard guitar riff intro followed by Chino singing in a dream like whisper to a pulsing riff. It’s an awesome song and by the time the chorus of Guns.Razors.Knives was belted I was head banging and singing along. The next single released was the title track, Diamond Eyes. This track starts with a strong guitar and Chino coming in at the same time. The lyrics are more decipherable in this track than in Rocket Skates. Diamond Eyes is a softer song and lends itself to swaying and a light head bang, about three fifths speed. Towards the end of the song the guitar solo is excellent, strong and easy to follow. To a fan like me any of the other songs could easily be released and I would automatically tune to the station that played them. It seems though that of the remaining songs and finite attention span awarded new albums on the radio, my opinion is that possible future releases could include CMND/CTRL, Beauty School and Sextape.

It’s always possibly that a band one defines as a favorite could release something that is disappointing because of issues with expectations. The Deftones are a band that is always the Deftones. Diamond Eyes features a new member and is seamless. At this point in a review many would recommend a song or three. I can’t do that. It’s impossible. Just like picking a best album or song by this band. It could change by the day and re-listening to them only beings out more favorite songs. Instead I recommend getting it whichever way works and using the shuffle feature and enjoying it however long it is that one may have to enjoy it. It’s that good.

With 82 songs over 7 studio releases (including the rarities album which included B-Sides and covers) spanning six point three hours the Deftones have become timeless.

They will be in Albuquerque on Monday, 31 May at the Sunshine theater. I'll be one of the older dudes who remembered listening to Adrenaline the first time instead of paying attention in Geometry.

Get well Chi.