Review Summary: The Deftones mix the sounds of their previous work for an album that truly shines as one of the most important discs in their career.
White Pony was an incredible album. It solidified the Deftones place in the heavy music scene and made them an important part in the sweep of nu-metal through the 90’s. It wasn’t heavier than their previous work, but it was a majestic record full of atmosphere and amazing songs. So, in 2003, there were obviously high expectations for their new self-titled release. One thing is for certain – they sure as hell did not disappoint.
This album didn’t find the band heading into a ‘softer’ sound by any means. Instead of following what they did with White Pony and trying to duplicate the success of that record, they opted for something a bit different. They took the heavy sound and relentless onslaught that was present in songs from “Around the Fur” and mixed it with the dark, atmospheric sounds of “White Pony” to an extent. And it really works on most of the songs present here. On some songs, Chino will sing beautifully and a dark creepy background will be present in the song (courtesy of a keyboard texture or sample from Delgado or a sinister riff from Carpenter combined with the bands tight rhythm section). On others, the band will be at their full force and make tracks that go right up top as some of their heaviest songs to date (like “Hexagram”, “When Girls Telephone Boys”, and “Bloody Cape”). The album flows very nicely in its 11 tracks and doesn’t bore the listener till it’s done.
What makes the Deftones such a great and fun metal band to listen to is that they don’t always follow the clichés of nu-metal entirely. Even when they do, they present such good songs combined with such a great atmosphere that even the small flukes are cancelled out by some many other good qualities in their music. This is evident on every one of their albums and the self-titled is no exception. It starts out with a bang with the opening track, “Hexagram”. The heaviest way they have ever started an album so far, it features the band blasting their instruments and has Chino screaming his lungs out. Carpenter makes the song interesting and textured with his mix of clean and heavily distorted guitar. Try and listen to this song without banging your head during the chorus of Chino’s furious rant of ‘Worship! / Play!’. It’s nearly impossible. It works well as an album opener and flows nicely into the next track, “Needles and Pins”. “Minerva” sees the band retaining their beautiful, atmospheric sound while still injecting a bit of heavy metal into it. A fitting choice for the lead single. Songs like “Deathblow” and “Battle-Axe” present the band in all their glory, featuring some of the best tunes on the album. They prove that the Deftones have never had to be heavy to make great tunes. On the standout track “Bloody Cape”, the band launch into full force after a beginning clean riff from Carpenter and the song presents a catchy chorus with great lyrics. The ending of the song is the real treat at the 3:04 mark, with terrifying screaming from Chino (he literally sounds like he’s losing his mind) and the band making the ending the most intense part of the album as far as heavy moments go. It’s incredible.
If Chino didn’t prove on the previous records that he is an incredible vocalist, he certainly does here. He sings gracefully and can go right into his crazed shrieks and screams at any given time. His range is exceptional, and he proves it on songs like “Hexagram”, “Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event”, and “Bloody Cape”. His vocal style is one of the chief things that drive the band. Guitarist Stephen Carpenter is also in top form on this record. While there are no solos, they have never been truly needed on any Deftones albums. He really knows how to mix clean and distorted guitars and puts out some catchy and heavy riffs all while keeping a great texture in the guitars. Songs like “Battle-Axe” and “Minerva” feature the best guitar playing on the album when Carpenter and Chino both play. Bassist Chi Cheng can be heard throughout the album and his presence is made clear as it has in their previous work. On “Needles and Pins”, “When Girls Telephone Boys”, and “Moana” his bass lines are heard loud and clear and they provide a great backup to the guitars and form a very tight rhythm section combined with Drummer Abe Cunningham. Frank Delgado also has many highlights on this album. In adding keyboards to the bands sound, he helped give it even more melody and you can really feel it on these songs.
“Deftones” is a great album. After the major commercial success of “White Pony” the band had a lot to live up to and they delivered. The songs present here are 11 great songs that only the Deftones could create. Instead of re-creating any of their past albums, they mixed the sounds of all of them into their heaviest and darkest album to date. It might take a few listens to fully appreciate (personally it took a while for it to grow on me at first) but in time it really shines as a great album and important disc in their career. Hope Chi gets better soon, because their follow up to “Saturday Night Wrist” seems very promising.
