Deftones - Diamond Eyes
Rating
RIYL
ToolTeam Sleep
Taproot
Release Date
05/04/2010
Label
Warner Bros.Tracklist
1. "Diamond Eyes"2. "Royal"
3. "CMND/CTRL"
4. "You've Seen the Butcher"
5. "Beauty School"
6. "Prince"
7. "Rocket Skates"
8. "Sextape"
9. "Risk"
10."976–EVIL"
11."This Place Is Death"
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What do you say about a band that has pretty much done it all? A band that hasn’t set the bar in a genre of music but pretty much welded the damn thing in place? Not only have the Deftones made their mark in the musical history books, but they have also done it while treading through some rough waters over the years. In the early 2000s vocalist Chino Moreno blew out his vocal cords and it was rumored that he may never again be able to perform the way he had for years prior. Fast forward to 2008, dynamic bassist Chi Cheng is involved in a serious car accident leaving him in intensive care. During this awful event, the band was working on what was supposed to be their sixth studio album, tentatively titled Eros, but finding it difficult to tour on an album without one of its noted writers, they scratched that idea and started to write a whole new album. To help fill the void left by the ill-timed and unfortunate accident of Cheng, the Deftones looked to friend and former Quicksand bassist, Sergio Vega. With Vega at their disposal, they sat down and wrote Diamond Eyes; an optimistic and stunning ensemble of both heavy and melodic attributes taking us to a nostalgic, sepia envisioned era of the Deftones we all fell in love with. Before I go any further with this review, let this be known: the above mentioned unfortunate events has done nothing but make this band stronger and better than ever.
When the Deftones released Saturday Night Wrist, many fans were left scratching their heads in complete confusion. The album was mediocre at best and was not what we had expected to hear from the band. Diamond Eyes, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. The album kick-starts with the title track, a heavy and luscious ensemble full of hard edges that smooths out into Chino’s striking vocals. The teeter between heaviness and melody is best displayed on this track making it a perfect opener for the album. The last twenty seconds of the song is a balls-out breakdown that effortlessly transitions into the next track, “Royal”. “Royal” is full of thick and rich guitar textures and could pass as the love child of White Pony and Around The Fur. Just like its forerunner, it transitions into the following track, “CMND/CNTRL,” which has White Pony written all over it. It’s a definite flashback to the classic Deftones sound; simple yet never disappointing “CMND/CNTRL” holds down a rooted resonance with a steady groove throughout.
Sex and violence are two key characteristics of the Deftones songwriting, both lyrically and musically. Chino Moreno has a euphoric voice that sets him apart from any other vocalist of his time making the sounds that come from his mouth just as much of an instrument as the physically played musical instruments. “You’ve Seen The Butcher” and “Prince” are perfect examples of Chino’s ability to make the ladies' panties drop all while the guys are sweating their asses off in the pit, head banging and fist pumping each other's chests. “You’ve Seen The Butcher” has a steady, almost stoner rock-ish, groove to it that keeps things moving along smoothly while Chino belts a beautiful melody that keeps pace perfectly. “Prince” is subtle in its explosion as it maintains an offbeat rhythm driven by the hand in hand duo of the hi-hat and bass lines. Unlike these two tracks, “Beauty School” is strictly for the ladies, in a very sadistic manner. The song is a dark and poetically charged type of love song, with a chorus that floats effortlessly above while dangling you on marionette strings as you sway throughout the dream it weaves.
Just when you think you have a moment to come up for air, the album’s first single “Rocket Skates” hits you right in the chest leaving you lifeless for a little over four minutes. This is classic Deftones aggression. Everything about this song oozes the very essence of the Deftones sound we first heard. Could this song be an homage to Cheng, letting him know that he may be temporarily gone but not forgotten? Perhaps… but whatever the reason, it’s extraordinary. If you are still whining like a little bitch and need a breather, “Sex Tape” is the perfect song to relax and drink a glass of fine red wine to. While it’s not on the heavier side it is still a stand-out due to its sophisticated composure, definitely a fresh notch in the belt of the Deftones. Next on the list is “Risk,” which comes complete with a menacing guitar riff that is relentlessly in cahoots with the on-point snare drum and hi-hat combo. The second to last track, “976-Evil,” is very progressive and yet another fine showcase of Moreno’s vocals. Let it be known that the scare of him not being able to sing again was nothing but a fluke in my eyes because his voice has never sounded better than it does on this entire album. Closing the album is “This Place Is Death” which is appearing to be the calm after the storm. The previous ten tracks came through and tore your world apart within the blink of an eye. Diamond Eyes lifts your feet off the ground and keeps your head banging for its entirety until this final chapter of the storm comes through on a bit of a formal note to bring you back to the ground where all is safe and calm.
After dealing with the bullshit the Deftones have dealt with over the past few years, it’s hard to imagine that these guys have kept the P.M.A., but they have and it’s poured out on Diamond Eyes. An optimistic approach to what was to be expected to be doom and gloom, that’s what this album is. Is this album a progression in sound? Not really, but think of it as a revisit to the sound they have already cultured. The Deftones crew could have hung their heads and let the event of Cheng keep them down, but instead they kept him in their hearts and it’s nothing but apparent on this entire album. Could this album be one of the best the Deftones have released? Yes, however, don’t let the opinion of one simple reviewer sway you. Do yourself a damn favor and pick up this album.
--Bill Lohr
Comments
Wollongong, New South Wales
this record fucking rules. i got chills.
Lehigh Valley, PA
This album is seriously near perfect! I'm absolutely in love iwth it.
Minnesota
I hate when we agree.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Spokane, Washington
simply awesome!
current listenings:
Of Virtue - "Heartsounds"
Capsule - "No Ghost"
Century - "Red Giant"
James Vincent McMorrow - "Early In The Morning"
Blind Pilot - "We Are The Tide"
New York
Favorite band ever! This should be coming in the mail tomorrow and I am ridiculously excited.
"If this is the state of my art,
Then I secede."
PA
Good review Bill but I have to totally disagree with the Saturday Night Wrist statement. Deftones tried something different and it ruled. Sure, they're better within their main role, which is the less is more type song writing, but the shoegaze, down tempo vibe on SNW was definitely welcome for one record. Plus, I have a feeling they're going to be doing that type of stuff again on Eros so don't be too pissed off it it's not another blatant cover cd of their own material (like this cd, except it fucking rules either way).
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Lehigh Valley, PA
It was not a bad album by any means... just mediocre, in my opinion of course.
New York
I think SNW is such an interesting album. I love their sound on it. Aside from Pink Cellphone, the more I listen to SNW, the more I love it.
"If this is the state of my art,
Then I secede."
Infinitely Inwards
awesome album... delicious 8 string usage. thats right.... delicious.
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
ERRA - Impulse
Aborted - Global Flatline
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
Minnesota
Bill, I got your back. SNW was simply mediocre. It was listenable, but far from amazing. I rarely revisit the album, but still find myself listening to all of their other albums. It was a nice departure that let them explore a little bit, but it showed they're best at doing their "core" sound.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
Yea, I hope everyone understands I am not trashing SWR...simply stating it was mediocre. That is all. It was good for what it was. From everything I read, Eros is supposed to be along the lines of SWR so I'm sure those who enjoyed that album will have their taste of more in the future.
Rick, you reallllllllly need to stop agreeing with me. I just does not sit well...
Milwaukee, WI
I agree with SNW being mediocre. It had it's moments but it was a little too shoegazy for me. This album, however, is about as good as the Deftones get. Between Adreniline, White Pony and this, the Deftones have made 3 amazing albums.
Brooklyn, NY
i personally loved SNW, but that being said, i understand where bill is coming from and think this is a great review.
www.explodinginsound.com
London, UK
Deftones have always slightly passed me by. I mean I've listened to their albums a bit, and viewed them as a good band, but somehow they never really grabbed me. I'm not entirely sure why, but whatever....this album is frickin awesome. Totally changed my perspective on them as a band and will make me give their older stuff more of listen as well. This is right up there with my albums of the year so far and i was not expecting that at all.
Currently listening to:
Tetrafusion - Horizons EP
NAMI - Fragile Alignments
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony
A Hope For Home - In Abstraction
Blindead - Affliction XXIX II MXMVI
Lehigh Valley, PA
Thanks, brotha.
Baton Rouge
Since no one else has done it yet:
White Pony>Diamond Eyes>Around the Fur>Deftones>Saturday Night Wrist> or = Adrenaline
Also, is the first time that we can call a Deftones album lovely?
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Lehigh Valley, PA
I'd call it beautiful
Minnesota
This is going to be a weird ordering of albums to most of you, but here goes...
1. Around the Fur
2. White Pony
3. Adrenaline
4. Diamond Eyes
5. Deftones
6. Saturday Night Wrist
7. B-Sides and Rarities
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
SIGH
Coopersburg, PA
I like this order, but I would switch Deftones and Saturday Night Wrist. Diamond Eyes is the best of the later releases, I don't think they'll ever be able to top those first three on your list though.
New York
1. White Pony
2. Deftones/SNW
3. Diamond Eyes
4. Around the Fur
5. Adrenaline
6. B-Sides and Rarities
"If this is the state of my art,
Then I secede."
Milwaukee, WI
Wow, I can't believe people are putting Adrenaline so far down the list, I'm guessing it was a little too nu metal? My list probably goes
1. White Pony
2. Adrenaline
3. Diamond Eyes
4. Around the Fur
5. Deftones
6. Saturday Night Wrist
7. B-sides
Baton Rouge
I can't believe everyone has such a low opinion of B-Sides and Rarities, which I liked a lot. I'd insert that one ahead of SNW and Adrenaline for the Sade cover alone.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Minnesota
I definitely like the b-sides album (there's some great songs on it), but in comparison to everything else they put out it's the weakest overall effort.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Wilmington DE
I liked that they took some risks with SNW and experimented with their sound even if I found half the results mediocre on that album. This record seems like they are playing it very safe and they are trying to mimic there earlier sound without any deviations. I still like this album so far and maybe i need to spin it a few more times but it still seems like they played it safe on this release.
Listening to:
Tides of Man
Oceansize
The Contortionist
We are the City
Periphery