Deftones ‘Diamond Eyes’ Track-By-Track Preview
A track-by-track review of the new Deftones album, ‘Diamond Eyes’!
Diamond Eyes – A jarring, leaden riff pounds away while Chino’s velvet vocals wrap lusciously around the brutality around him. The chorus is a thing of beauty here with its “time will see us realise, diamonds reign across the sky” refrain leading the charge but it’s the intense low-end groove that really hits home hard here, the beatdown that closes the track is one of the heaviest moments in Deftones history. An astounding opener.
Royal – Thick-textured guitars are the order of the day on ‘Royal’. Imagine the ambient leanings of ‘White Pony’ with the immense club-ready sonics of ‘Around The Fur’ here and throughout the album. It’s worth mentioning how on-point the band’s new rhythm-section are, backing Moreno’s other-worldly vocals and the chunky guitar-tone with versatility and style.
CMND/CNTRL – An instant Deftones classic. A savage riff bounces like it’s 1998 all over again while Chino scats and screams before unleashing another mammoth chorus. This is a straight up banger, begging to be dropped in clubs and will sound epic live.
You’ve Seen The Butcher – the first full-on foray into ambience but it’s worth noting that the track still has heavy almost stoner rock-esque guitars. It’s all power and groove while Moreno once again proves why his voice is one of the few in the modern game that can truly be regarded as an instrument.
Beauty School – A slamming drum-pattern from Abe Cunningham, killer bass lines and subtle guitars linger while Moreno croons over the top. The building throughout the verse gives way to a stunningly gorgeous chorus. Floating and euphoric, it’s a thing of beauty and one of those moments that sets the Deftones apart from most other bands.
Prince – Reminiscent of Digital Bath from White Pony. It’s all off-beat hi-hats and bass rumbles before an epic chorus breaks out. It seems as though it’s going to be another more subtle track before exploding in an eruption of pounding guitars and all-out aural assault. Moreno really shows his versatility on this one.
Rocket Skates – You’ll doubtlessly have had your mind blown by this one already. Rhythmic detonations interspersed with the dreamy Moreno vocals and that “Guns! Razors! Knives!” refrain. You already know this is a riot-starter. If you’re yet to hear it, check out the video here.
Sex Tape – A guitar intro that reminds a little of the Smashing Pumpkins (bizarrely). Blissfully chilled-out and a welcome break from the full-on nature of the album thus far, Sex Tape is the Deftones challenging themselves in the realms of elegant song-writing and reaping the benefits incredibly. One of the best tracks on the album and something that could become a career-highlight.
Risk – A grinding, sinister riff leads the charge here. It’s probably the most forgettable moment on the rcord but it’s not without merit. The break-down around the 2 minute mark is still kick-ass.
976-Evil – A real journey of a track. Progressive and going more on feeling than basic song-structure, ‘976-Evil’ sees the band building through subtlety. It’s got to be said, ‘Diamond Eyes’ probably represents the finest vocal performance of Chino Moreno’s career to date and the way he leads this track is nothing short of breath-taking.
This Place Is Death – A moving note to end on. Sombre in mood and tone, it has a real calm after the storm feel that leads the album out on a solemn yet powerful note.
In summarizing, when Deftones say this is one of the best albums of their career, they weren’t kidding. On first listen, this seems set to become a Deftones classic. A heavier album than Saturday Night Wrist, it has massive influence from both Around The Fur and White Pony. Stunning stuff from the Sacramento alt-metallers.
Deftones release ‘Diamond Eyes’ on May 17th.
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This stuff sounds fucking awesome! Rocket Skates has been playing non stop since I got it. Can’t wait. Love for Chi ♥
can’t wait and hearing that eros is set for a november release as well
my name is scott can you guys tour detroit michigan mount clemens emrald theatre my name scott
@kingofheavymetal – where did you hear about eros releasing in November?
ah cant wait for this one! love this group, never dissapoint.
I’m only basing on it on the amazon.com preview but doesn’t it sound like “time will us realign”? not “realize”?
Yeah it sounds like …time will see us realign , diamonds reign across the sky, shower me, into the same realm. Very very catchy tunes so far. Im impressed.
Yeah, you’re right it is. And that fits better than,realize as well.
Where did you hear that, king of heavy metal?
Eros? November? Please go on….
You have to see this! xD xxx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLK9j1bs-68
The single IS OUT! On radio….. Purchase for 3/23 for Amazon. It’s available here with a Chino interview after the song thanks to http://www.deftones.cl — http://goo.gl/7emt
how in the world did you listen to this
Absolutely stunning album. Best release since OR by BC. Bypassing expectations while simultaneously surpassing them. This will become the default def album.
album leaked. it’s amazing. google “deftones diamond eyes leak”
Ahaha… Enjoing the deftones to the fullest. CMND/CTRL – My personal favorite.
I can’t wait until may 4th, the new date of releasing. Of course i have the leaked version and it’s just one of the best deftones records, if not the best. The best vocal work by Chino. It’s amazing , it’s outstanding, it’s just perfect…
No offense intended, but it seems like you rushed this track by track review just so you could be one of the first to have one out there.
The fact that you listened to a leaked version just so you could do this is a testament to how you have wronged the band more than inspired its listening because it shows you support its illegal listening.
Sorry mate, I type it as I see it.
while i did listen to the leak of this…i can definitely say that it’ll be worth every hard-earned penny when i purchase the official cd. . definitely reminds me A LOT of white pony and around the fur. with the last two albums i had to listen to them a few times for me to really like them…this one however…holy crap it’s good from start to finish. Sex Tape, Diamond Eyes, Rocket Skates and 976-EVIL are high points on the album. can’t wait for Eros and for Chi to get better and rock the shit out of everyone.
yes…what’s this about Eros coming out in November? what is the source of this info?
I got the leaked album it is absolutly awesome. I have every intention of buying it legit once it is released, so should anyone who has now. They deserve it, every penny.
may the 17th… balls. i thaught it was set for the 5th of april?
I think this album is very ‘one-layered’ for the most part, I don’t feel like the tracks vary too much. Just drums, guitar, and voice, that’s it. Not a single bit of the effects and synths that make up Saturday Night or Team Sleep, both my favorite efforts. The songs also seem to blend together, there’s not many distinct riffs, hooks, or power moments that make up the previous Deftones cd’s. It seems to me more like a ‘B-side/Demo’ album, and I think Eros will be the real hit.
Forget about Eros coming out in November. Why would they kill Diamond Eyes like that??? It just doesn’t make any sense releasing an album 5 months after another.
this record is freakin amazing. wow….that’s all i can say.
It’s 100x better than Saturday Night Wrists. I’d rank the Deftones’ albums this way:
1)Adrenaline
2)Around the Fur
3T)Diamond Eyes
3T)Deftones
3T)White Pony
4)Saturday Night Wrists
1) Deftones
2) White Pony
3) Diamond Eyes
4) Around the Fur
5) Saturday Night Wrist
6) Adrenaline
The only thing thats wrong with this review, is that he said the sonjg risk was forgettable.
Its tight as phuck mang, you need to hear that one again.
Song*
Risk…..Dammit to hell, grammers a cold bitch.