Deftones – Diamond Eyes
In my younger years when I thought I knew it all and that no one knew who I was or accepted me, I found a safe haven in a world generated by a man named Chino Moreno. My teenage angst and newly developing gothic persona was being fueled by the docile tones of my newest obsession of the time, entitled Adrenaline. While I never fully bloomed into a stereotypical goth donning a dark, morbid, eroticized fashion style and vampire pale skin tone (thank god), I did find myself enamored by anything and everything stamped with the name Deftones. This obsession has followed me through life as I have continued to hold these Californians and their music very near and dear to me. After a four year hiatus marred by the tragic accident that left bassist Chi Cheng in a coma, the “kings of nu-metal” have returned with an album that is by far worth the wait.
Diamond Eyes is Deftones at their core. Chino’s enigmatic vocals will lull you into a false sense of reality making everything feel all warm and fuzzy. As you find yourself lost between Moreno’s mesmerizing vocals and Carpenter’s throat slashing guitar work, you’ll just want to let yourself go to embrace the nostalgia that this album releases with every cryptic note. The quintessential balance between primal and cerebral melodies that is indicative to their music is ever present, even moodier and more esoteric than ever before on this album.
Their opener “Diamond Eyes” will engage you immediately. Anyone who has followed Deftones through the years will understand what I mean when I describe this album as a nostalgic trip into the band’s early years. As much as I love the band, I have to admit that after Around the Fur (excluding White Pony, which was an unbelievable album) I feel they might have gotten lost trying to transition or find a new direction. Their self-titled release in 2003 came across over produced and far too diverse for me. After Delgado traded in his turn tables for a synthesizer, the songs started to bounce between too many different genres and ideas for my taste. Saturday Night Wrist was a little bit better, but still seemed to lack that special something. I could tell they were coming back around, but never really found their way home until now.
As you listen to track four, “You’ve Seen the Butcher”, you’ll notice it starts off with a chug very similar to “Bored” from Adrenaline. Cunningham’s skin work on this track is dark, primal, and really drives the song in my opinion. Track six, “Prince”, threw me back to “RX Queen” from White Pony. The dreamy melodies and big chorus will entice your senses; and Chino’s dirty, feral vocals in the breakdowns are brilliant. This is indeed a must hear track on a must hear album.
Most of the world has already heard the album’s first single, “Rocket Skates”. This song is definitive to the album itself giving it that old school throwback feel that I mentioned. If you haven’t heard this song yet, make it happen– you won’t be disappointed. Carpenter’s ear raping guitar riffs throughout the song are the main focal point of this track, and although it’s no “Engine No. 9” or “Head-up”, it is the heaviest tune on Diamond Eyes.
I could go on and on about why I love this album and why everyone should purchase it on day one, but the Deftones and their music speak for itself. Deftones fans around the world will find this record to be a forerunner of their collection from here on out. This is the album we “Deftoners” have been waiting for. From open to close, each track will take you on a journey through your self conscience that is both mysterious and furtive, as well as enticing and captivating. In my opinion, Diamond Eyes is THE album of 2010 and definitely one of Deftones’ best. Take my advice and BUY THIS ALBUM!
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18 Comments
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Nice work on this review, Ryan. I think I love this album almost as much as you do. I never skip a track and a lot of it brings me back to the old school Deftones days. There was a time for a while there where I felt similar to how you did about their music. It strayed too much from what I liked most about the band and their work at the time. When I heard this I was automatically hooked. I felt like they adhered to some of their earlier methods and this fueled the record.
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May 3rd, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Great job on the review Ryan! Although I liked Diamond Eyes, I never loved it. For me Deftones will NEVER recapture the magic that they had on Around The Fur. To me, that was the quintessential Deftones album.
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May 4th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I read the review and thought, "Damn, five stars?!" Then I checked out the album today and was just absolutely floored.
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May 6th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I want to preface by saying that I am a big Deftones fan. I own all of their work. I am with Lee on this one. Around The Fur was and always will be their crown gem. Not to say their other work wasnt or isnt great. Most of their stuff is. This cd is no exception. Its a wonderful addition to an already impressive discography but heres what gets me, and I can say this site hasnt been guilty of this, but it seems like all the others are. There are certain bands that when they release something new everyone hails it as the album of the year or decade. Cmon cool your jets! I mean the Deftones could fart into a microphone and people would still say ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!! I applaud the enthusiasm but some people need to be realistic. This is a good cd by a great band but lets not get too carried away. The Deftones are one of the most respected bands out there and for good reason but lets not hail something as album of the year in May because its the Deftones.
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May 6th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I guess I should have done my homework before my last comment but having done so now it kind of proves my point in my first comment. Ryan did say Diamond Eyes is THE album of 2010!! Then I looked at your profile Ryan and what band did you grow up learning and singing all of their stuff? Hey everyones entitled to their own opinion and Ryan I respect yours. Im not getting on you to start an argument. Im just expressing my opinion on this record and how because its the Deftones people are hailing it as perfection and giving it accolades already. I do really like this album. I just dont want to give it such high praise just based on the artist. Oh well, you know what they say about opinions?!
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May 6th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Jakester,
Did u read the part of the review where Ryan stated…….
"As much as I love the band, I have to admit that after Around the Fur (excluding White Pony, which was an unbelievable album) I feel they might have gotten lost trying to transition or find a new direction. Their self-titled release in 2003 came across over produced and far too diverse for me. After Delgado traded in his turn tables for a synthesizer, the songs started to bounce between too many different genres and ideas for my taste. Saturday Night Wrist was a little bit better, but still seemed to lack that special something. I could tell they were coming back around, but never really found their way home until now."
So what if hes a Deftones fan and they inspired him early on, obviously The Deftones cant just fart into a microphone and he will approve as he made very clear by saying he wasn't a big fan of their last few albums. You sound like a pretentious, arrogant turd. Deftones are kings of this genre and you chastise this guy because he calls it "The album of 2010" but once again this is an opinion based site and if a music reviewer who listens to hundreds of albums over the span of a year picks some top albums based on his opinions, Id assume he has a stronger argument seeing as i doubt you go through as many albums as any reviewers on this site. You listen to 1000 albums this year and then tell us where you rank The Deftones new album.
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May 6th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Viktor there is no need to call me pretentious and an ignorant turd over my opinion. So are you saying his opinion is better than mine? Isnt that why its an opinion? So that everyone can have one. Im not even going to resort to name calling. Did you not read where I told Ryan I respect his opinion? Calling an album the best of the year in May? That was my argument Viktor!! So when Korn and Limp Bizkit release their cds this summer and all there FANBOYS start saying album of the year, are you going to stand your same ground Viktor? Also did you not read my view on the Deftones. I am a big fan. I own all their work and I do really like this album. But Album of the year in MAY?? Cmon dude!! Btw if this is an opinion based site Viktor than why would you tell me im an ignorant turd for my opinion. You are the reason ive tried to stray away from leaving comments on sites like this because you know about me and you resort to name calling. Im not even going to stoop to that level but I appreciate your OPINION!!!!!!
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May 6th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I think saying "You sound like a pretentious, arrogant turd" is a bit harsh. He respectfully disagreed with the writer. That's allowed, right?
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May 6th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Thanks Steve!! I didnt really disagree 100%. I really like this album and I love the Deftones but lets wait until the year is over for goodness sakes before we start handing out accolades. Hell we havent even hit the halfway point of the year and there are A LOT of good bands who are going to be releasing their albums this year. Im not even mad at Viktor but to resort to name calling. I never once in my comments to Ryan did I say anything negative towards him. I might even change my opinion by years end once I hear more music. Diamond Eyes might end up being album of the year to me but not in the 5th month of the year. Thats all im saying.
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May 6th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I think this is a great album but I agree with you jakester and Lee. Around The Fur is at the helm of their discography. I think that's the album that a lot of us immediately think of when someone mentions the Deftones. It's the one that really placed their stone in the wall.
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May 6th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Diamond Eyes is a great album and definitely sits somewhere next to White Pony but for me Adrenaline is my favourite with Around The Fur coming in second.
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May 13th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I completely agree with your review. The Deftones are a band deserving of their success. They have carved their own niche in the musical world and deserve all the praise for it.
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May 15th, 2010 at 7:41 am
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET NEW "DEFTONES" ROCKS! MUCH RESPECT
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May 15th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
It's always good to see another Deftones fan, Alive!
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October 21st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Good review man. I must say I haven't really took the time to listen to any of the Deftones back catalog as I am not a big fan.I know what you're thinking, "How could any Metal-Head go through the past 15 years without listening to a Deftones album all the way through?" Well I must say that this is a terrific album and I have listened to it several times in the past two days. The reason I decided to check it out is a direct result of seeing several video's on Head bangers ball this past weekend. Now I must go back and listen to all of their albums!!!!!!!!
Any way good review GREAT Album
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March 5th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I'm still praying for an 'Eros' release date.
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Josh Velliquette replied:
March 5th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Amen, Linchpin. Fingers crossed.
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April 16th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
The Deftones have probably been my favorite band since Around the Fur. With that being said I have always thought their magnum opus was the White Pony album. Although I’ve thorougly enjoyed all their albums, I never thought they would produce another album I loved as much as White Pony.
But This album is the best they’ve ever done. Which says alot because their music and discography is probably the strongest out of all the bands that came out during the time period they did. While alot of bands fizzled out the Deftones have quietly built one of the strongest catalouges in music and have released consistently great music. I’m very selective when it comes to music and there may only be 4-5 albums I can listen to front to back in their entirety. But this album is one of them.
Since it’s been about two years since it was released I went back and listened to it and it’s just as amazing today as it was then.This was a classic album to me and definitely worthy of the 5 star review. There wasnt a song on this album that I didnt find amazing.
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