Album review: Deftones – private music

By DAN SOUTHALL

DEFTONES have never been easy to define, originally lumped in with the late nineties nu-metal movement although never really fitting in, and constantly evolving ever since.

Of course, musical evolution and exploration can be very hit and miss. Luckily for Deftones fans there are no real misstep albums, just some that don’t hit like others.

“So where does this one hit?” I hear you ask.

From opener “my mind is a weapon” and follow up track “locked club”, it is instantly clear that the band are on some of their best form. From the clarity of the individual instruments and vocalist Chino Moreno’s recognisable vocals, this is one of the bet albums they have put together. Equal parts heavy and melodic with those elements that have always made them so special and so individual. 

Nothing sticks around too long, and nothing is too much of any particular part, from the welcome heaviness that buzzes throughout “cXz” or the aptly titled “~metal dream”.  Even the dreamy ballad “I think about you all the time” has its part to play as you begins to realise this album might be more than a bunch of tracks stuck together because they go together.

It’s around this track it clicks that it all goes together as a concept on life, death and mourning.  This is clenched when album closer “departing the body” finally goes quiet. That’s my take on it, and it only gets more solidified on further listens. 

Of course, the best thing about art in all its forms is the subjective nature of it, and my take away may not be your own.  But if you have ever been a fan of the Deftones, this album is pure perfection. And if you’re not, then there is absolutely no better place to start.  Yes, they have a deep catalogue and it may be a big call this far into their career, but for the first time they have 42 minutes uninterrupted with not a single track skippable, lest you do not get lost in the music with them. How private…

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