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Rating: THE REVIEW
After a complex and intricate album like "White Pony", it was a difficult task to please their fans with an equally intense CD.
"Deftones" definitely suffers from the long "gestation" period (almost three years) and the various disagreements and hassles between the band and the record label (Maverick). Once again, supported by Terry Date in the production phase, the album fails to measure up to the previous one, partially achieving its goal.
The reasons are multiple: firstly, the sound, trying to highlight the metal vein of the "Around the Fur" period ("Needles and Pins") ends up losing intensity in some instances, focusing on pure impact for its own sake ("When Girls Telephone Boys" - Hexagram). There are high-level tracks within the CD like "Battle Axe" which bring the sound to high levels, but in general, one gets the impression of facing a "tired" album with little inspiration from the band, like someone limiting themselves to just doing their homework and nothing more. To support this, it is enough to consider that Chino's voice, which in the past ranged between different tones and modulations, giving body and warmth to the songs, appears here very standard.
Electronic dub experiments such as "Lucky You" I consider marginal episodes of an album of good songs because we are still talking about a technically valid band, but given the band's potential, it is reasonable to expect more.
The last thing, the CD can be used interactively with the PC, as it includes photos and interviews with the band members.
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Summary by Bot
The Deftones self-titled album faces challenges living up to their previous masterpiece, White Pony. Despite solid tracks like 'Battle Axe,' the album suffers from a lack of consistent inspiration and vocal variation. Production choices emphasize metal impact but sometimes lose intensity. Minor electronic touches are present but not standout. Overall, it’s a technically proficient album but falls short of expectations.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Deftones
Deftones are an American alternative/experimental metal band formed in Sacramento in 1988. They are known for blending heavy riffs with atmospheric and shoegaze-influenced textures; core members referenced in the reviews include Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Abe Cunningham and Frank Delgado. Bassist Chi Cheng was in a coma after a 2008 accident and died in 2013; Sergio Vega played bass on subsequent releases.30 Reviews
Other reviews
By bomaie
This is the Deftones' album. Stretched and lacerating atmospheres, peaceful but haunted by Chino Moreno's wonderful voice, and suddenly explosions of rage and shouted violence sucked from the darkest chasms of the soul.
They are a cut above everyone else... Truly another story...
By valerio
The true masterpiece of this album is certainly Deathblow, a track that starts with a subdued Chino under a guitar accompaniment, then grows as the track progresses to reach heights of high class.
Chino Moreno keeps the upper hand with his emphatic voice but at the same time capable of unleashing unheard-of anger as in Hexagram or the devastating When Girls Telephone Boys.
By Metal Man
With Deftones, Chino Moreno and company succeed in the difficult task of fusing musical ideas very close to early Cure with a metalcore brutality that has no comparison in today’s alternative scene.
We are faced with pure musical art, and indeed it could not be otherwise, given that we are talking about the Deftones.
By Er Ribelle
The opening HEXAGRAM is incredibly powerful, and Chino Moreno, the leader of the Deftones, excels.
‘Deftones’ can be considered a good album, but not on the level of the three previous works.
By heartshapedbox
Gore is an emotional flow, vibrant, dark, bright, pink, black.
With all due respect to Pac, Big, Stevie, Michael, Hendrix, 'Gore' is one of the best albums we've done, even if not the best.
