An American 4 piece California band that began in 1988. Created a unique angry emotional sound, something that was invented through experimental rock over the years. They were the main engine in Nu-metal established in the 90's and influenced so many artists emerging around that time. The band were on the brink of collapse due to bass player Chi Cheng involved in a car crash in Nov, 2008. Before his accident the band were in the process of EROS 08-09. Which has yet to see daylight and will likely be released in 2014. Chi remained in a coma, but unfortunately passed away in April 2013.
The album was created in 2 months, I have no doubt the anger and passion in the album is through the struggle of Chi. Could I argue through this unlucky occurrence to happen to the band, they could show passion to the audience and create this unique piece of art that is Diamond Eyes. Strongly they stayed together and found Sergio Verga from Quicksand who helped create the album. I don't know how much budget they had and I do wonder if they were investing all there money into this new album when they could of toured until Chi's recovery and wondering if they really would have flopped if this album wouldn't of been a commercial success. The last album being Saturday Night Wrist album 2006, which nearly tore the band apart being so unscheduled and band members not being in the same room of the recording sessions.
Diamond Eyes
Fourth album, being released on May 4th in 2010. Initially it was made to be a later date but was rushed up due to the album being leaked on the internet and fans went for free downloads. By offering fans Rocket Skates on there website for free in Feb 2010, it got fans like myself highly anticipating the sound.
Design of a barn owl spreading it's wings. It shows a magnificent album artwork. Simple piece of art to admire being a majestic creature. I don't know what the message is, but to me it shows dominance, power, beauty and wonder. It makes me want to have a barn owl!!
Right lets talk about the album!
Track 1 - Diamond Eyes
First track to be aired on radio, I don't know which stations they played it on but I doubt they played it on BBC Radio 1. The sound is thunderous with heavy breakdowns of Stephen Carpenters 7 string guitar, bringing in Chinos soothing voice that quickly goes into a catchy chorus. Choruses not involving Stephens guitar well parts but remaining soft. The sound eases of the heaviness for you to stray within your mind into this chorus and for you to relax with the sound that had bombarded you at the start. The chorus has a delicate melody that you can sing back too. With Chinos voice you hear the emotion and passion in his voice. The breakdown ends the song with a thunderous finish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qksTlo_1Tpw&list=PLX1MBVByJa0_jovuOwGZ8DSIxIW9wYSyf
Track 2 - Royal
My personal favourite Deftones song. The last 30 seconds just tingles my spine with Chino screaming his head off. This man really just pours his heart out on you and thats what I love in his music. I just have to stand up and go crazy because the end is just crazy. The gaps of the music dropping form high to low as they breakdown is indescribable. The song starts of explosive again, you feel like your getting all of your energy through listening to the track. Sound is very dynamic - It's like Chino is having a conversation with himself. One side of him is very angry while the other is very soothing. Split personality could be a good way of describing it. Everything in this song is band orchestrated, bass solos and drum solos - that play a unique part of the song. Again the chorus is left soothing and the heavy part of the song is the verses and bridges. Great thing i love about Deftones there simple with no guitar solos or taking the listener to a different direction with their music within the song.
Track 3 - Cmnd-Ctrl
This to me is a very in your face sort of song. Anger is realised with Chino describing "why it's my fault?" Great song to listen to if your pissed off. Stephens guitar is just heavy again with riffs made to make you jump. Vocals are just loud and clear with Chino releasing his anger. The chorus is again simple with a soothing melody that takes you into another world. Bridge involves a drum solo that you think ends the song but just explodes back into the verse again.
Track 4 - You've Seen The Butcher
Most sexiest song of the album maybe. Start of the guitar on it's own with a simple heavy riff pluck. The sound then explodes into hard drums and bass and carries on the beat. Then the introduction of Chino with his seductive lyrics. His vocal range on the verses his incredibly high. I really do try to sing that high without losing my breath, it's incredible energy and this is the end of every verse. The chorus is talking about the female if you will, asking for her to come over and that she's coming for you.
Music Video - Red Paint Orgy with girls dancing seductively to the music - Awesome Video that starts off in a quiet library and then gets obliterated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woAcXSMyCEw&list=PLX1MBVByJa0_jovuOwGZ8DSIxIW9wYSyf
Track 5 - Beauty School
Song is more focused on single note riffs on guitar making this a slow piece of a song. It's very gripping in the way it was structured, the song is still fast paced with the drums. Seductively sung again with the words that are straight out there. Chino likes to be romantic in his lyrics and he really brings it out in this song. If I was a woman and he sung that to me think I'd just faint. The sound is just relaxing and can really take you away. I'm not sure it's a happy song even though it seems it. Maybe about drugs or a school massacre or giving confidence to your lover or going on some crazy adventure. Whatever it is it sounds like it relates to me and is breath taking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bK4aeahcXc
Track 6 - Prince
Mysterious song to me. It bring out wonder in the sound. Soft bass sound with the riff of the guitar taking the credit at the end, as it goes into overdrive. The bass takes control again with timed introduction of loud drums, getting the song pumping. Chinos voice comes out so soothing again as the verse kicks in. The song speaks about wanting to be, or appreciating something you can't understand.
The vocals on this song again comes out aggressive in the bridge. Different structure of sound. Verse is very quiet but then Chinos voice builds up as the chorus then comes in. He progressively gets angry coming towards the end of the song where he's just shouting at you with the guitar becoming heavier. Dynamics on this song again is very range and keeping to the style of structure this song has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qksTlo_1Tpw&list=PLX1MBVByJa0_jovuOwGZ8DSIxIW9wYSyf
Track 2 - Royal
My personal favourite Deftones song. The last 30 seconds just tingles my spine with Chino screaming his head off. This man really just pours his heart out on you and thats what I love in his music. I just have to stand up and go crazy because the end is just crazy. The gaps of the music dropping form high to low as they breakdown is indescribable. The song starts of explosive again, you feel like your getting all of your energy through listening to the track. Sound is very dynamic - It's like Chino is having a conversation with himself. One side of him is very angry while the other is very soothing. Split personality could be a good way of describing it. Everything in this song is band orchestrated, bass solos and drum solos - that play a unique part of the song. Again the chorus is left soothing and the heavy part of the song is the verses and bridges. Great thing i love about Deftones there simple with no guitar solos or taking the listener to a different direction with their music within the song.
Track 3 - Cmnd-Ctrl
This to me is a very in your face sort of song. Anger is realised with Chino describing "why it's my fault?" Great song to listen to if your pissed off. Stephens guitar is just heavy again with riffs made to make you jump. Vocals are just loud and clear with Chino releasing his anger. The chorus is again simple with a soothing melody that takes you into another world. Bridge involves a drum solo that you think ends the song but just explodes back into the verse again.
Track 4 - You've Seen The Butcher
Most sexiest song of the album maybe. Start of the guitar on it's own with a simple heavy riff pluck. The sound then explodes into hard drums and bass and carries on the beat. Then the introduction of Chino with his seductive lyrics. His vocal range on the verses his incredibly high. I really do try to sing that high without losing my breath, it's incredible energy and this is the end of every verse. The chorus is talking about the female if you will, asking for her to come over and that she's coming for you.
Music Video - Red Paint Orgy with girls dancing seductively to the music - Awesome Video that starts off in a quiet library and then gets obliterated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woAcXSMyCEw&list=PLX1MBVByJa0_jovuOwGZ8DSIxIW9wYSyf
Track 5 - Beauty School
Song is more focused on single note riffs on guitar making this a slow piece of a song. It's very gripping in the way it was structured, the song is still fast paced with the drums. Seductively sung again with the words that are straight out there. Chino likes to be romantic in his lyrics and he really brings it out in this song. If I was a woman and he sung that to me think I'd just faint. The sound is just relaxing and can really take you away. I'm not sure it's a happy song even though it seems it. Maybe about drugs or a school massacre or giving confidence to your lover or going on some crazy adventure. Whatever it is it sounds like it relates to me and is breath taking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bK4aeahcXc
Track 6 - Prince
Mysterious song to me. It bring out wonder in the sound. Soft bass sound with the riff of the guitar taking the credit at the end, as it goes into overdrive. The bass takes control again with timed introduction of loud drums, getting the song pumping. Chinos voice comes out so soothing again as the verse kicks in. The song speaks about wanting to be, or appreciating something you can't understand.
The vocals on this song again comes out aggressive in the bridge. Different structure of sound. Verse is very quiet but then Chinos voice builds up as the chorus then comes in. He progressively gets angry coming towards the end of the song where he's just shouting at you with the guitar becoming heavier. Dynamics on this song again is very range and keeping to the style of structure this song has.
Track 7 - Rocket Skates
First song I heard from the album. Giving this song away on the website I grabbed my opportunity to get a taste of the new Deftones material. Just the start of the guitar gets you going, fast paced strumming from Stephen. Then use of slow drums hitting at a slow beat to the song then pounding it down the drum kit then hitting the cymbals slowly to end the riff. Drum kit is heavily involved in the sound with the band linking together with five beats each to then realising it to the vocals and then back into it. Vocals vs Band if you will. A heavy verse after the impulsing intro gets straight into the song. Chinos vocal range is incredible in this too, he sings sensitivity in the verse or pre-chorus if you will. It's like he's breaking down and then comes aggressively screaming into the chorus and brings out the excitement just by going WOO at the end of his loud screaming in your face part. The fun he brings into his music makes you excited and can get you moving. The best part of the song is the most anticipated, as there is such a buildup to come back into the chorus where Chino just explodes it out and keeps going. So much energy in this song.
Music video that was really Yellowed and Greened up in the cloud of the video edit. Lush standard band video with them on them on their own and you physically having them to yourself watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woR6ohiFeYE&list=PLX1MBVByJa0_jovuOwGZ8DSIxIW9wYSyf
Track 8 - Sex-tape
Mellow, soft, delicate song, you can get taken away with this song. This song reminds me the time I went to there gig then after the gig I got lost around the city, on my own and was trying to find my way back home. I was walking along a carriageway or a motorway I was that lost. Solo gentle guitar with a sweet riff that starts the song of, then the introduction of Chino's soothing vocals. Soon as the verse finishes the drum comes in and brings in the beat. It really takes you away from your mind. Music video is worth checking out too, in HD too. The colours of two girls swimming around underwater, with beautiful colours of plants and flowers, bringing gorgeous lighting as the water reflects the colours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0pdwd0miqs&list=PL344F7F0287E07207
Track 9 - Risk
Mysterious heavy sound, with delicate vocals. Powerful verse vocals, nothing aggressive shown in the song apart from the heavy guitar involved in the verses. Chorus is left delicate and melodic. Maybe about Chi - Finding a way of saving him and being confused over the whole situation in how the accident happened. The song is powerful.
Track 10 - 976 Evil
Single noted riffs with a delicate beat, as the chorus kicks in the guitar becomes heavier. Song is gentle and is obviously about Chi. Wanting him to wake up out of his coma. Delicate vocals with the chorus going high in Chinos vocal range. The song is sweetly sung and is still moderately heavy.
Track 11 - This Place Is Death
I know this is a masterpiece album review. Until this song it was. But still 10/11 songs is a quality album and you can't lose with this album. Something about this song makes me uncomfortable and I think that's why they put it last. The song starts of mystical and brings out the explosives of chinos vocals then into the band. I think it's the verse I don't like, having to keep the vocal range that consistent when maybe it would of been better without. Good song to finish on after a mind-blowing album.
I'm lucky enough to see The Deftones live on a Diamond Eyes tour! They exploded my mind and is still my best gig today! I'm lucky enough to have seen them. I've seen them 3 times, also on the new Koi No Yokan tour!
Merchandise
I found the band shirt poorly designed and just a box of the album artwork. I didn't get it and got the shirt with the snake which is awesome! I did want to get the shirt but was slightly disappointed with the quality of design.
First song I heard from the album. Giving this song away on the website I grabbed my opportunity to get a taste of the new Deftones material. Just the start of the guitar gets you going, fast paced strumming from Stephen. Then use of slow drums hitting at a slow beat to the song then pounding it down the drum kit then hitting the cymbals slowly to end the riff. Drum kit is heavily involved in the sound with the band linking together with five beats each to then realising it to the vocals and then back into it. Vocals vs Band if you will. A heavy verse after the impulsing intro gets straight into the song. Chinos vocal range is incredible in this too, he sings sensitivity in the verse or pre-chorus if you will. It's like he's breaking down and then comes aggressively screaming into the chorus and brings out the excitement just by going WOO at the end of his loud screaming in your face part. The fun he brings into his music makes you excited and can get you moving. The best part of the song is the most anticipated, as there is such a buildup to come back into the chorus where Chino just explodes it out and keeps going. So much energy in this song.
Music video that was really Yellowed and Greened up in the cloud of the video edit. Lush standard band video with them on them on their own and you physically having them to yourself watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woR6ohiFeYE&list=PLX1MBVByJa0_jovuOwGZ8DSIxIW9wYSyf
Track 8 - Sex-tape
Mellow, soft, delicate song, you can get taken away with this song. This song reminds me the time I went to there gig then after the gig I got lost around the city, on my own and was trying to find my way back home. I was walking along a carriageway or a motorway I was that lost. Solo gentle guitar with a sweet riff that starts the song of, then the introduction of Chino's soothing vocals. Soon as the verse finishes the drum comes in and brings in the beat. It really takes you away from your mind. Music video is worth checking out too, in HD too. The colours of two girls swimming around underwater, with beautiful colours of plants and flowers, bringing gorgeous lighting as the water reflects the colours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0pdwd0miqs&list=PL344F7F0287E07207
Track 9 - Risk
Mysterious heavy sound, with delicate vocals. Powerful verse vocals, nothing aggressive shown in the song apart from the heavy guitar involved in the verses. Chorus is left delicate and melodic. Maybe about Chi - Finding a way of saving him and being confused over the whole situation in how the accident happened. The song is powerful.
Track 10 - 976 Evil
Single noted riffs with a delicate beat, as the chorus kicks in the guitar becomes heavier. Song is gentle and is obviously about Chi. Wanting him to wake up out of his coma. Delicate vocals with the chorus going high in Chinos vocal range. The song is sweetly sung and is still moderately heavy.
Track 11 - This Place Is Death
I know this is a masterpiece album review. Until this song it was. But still 10/11 songs is a quality album and you can't lose with this album. Something about this song makes me uncomfortable and I think that's why they put it last. The song starts of mystical and brings out the explosives of chinos vocals then into the band. I think it's the verse I don't like, having to keep the vocal range that consistent when maybe it would of been better without. Good song to finish on after a mind-blowing album.
I'm lucky enough to see The Deftones live on a Diamond Eyes tour! They exploded my mind and is still my best gig today! I'm lucky enough to have seen them. I've seen them 3 times, also on the new Koi No Yokan tour!
Merchandise
I found the band shirt poorly designed and just a box of the album artwork. I didn't get it and got the shirt with the snake which is awesome! I did want to get the shirt but was slightly disappointed with the quality of design.
I RATE THIS 10/10
It's that awesome. I don't feel anyway ripped off. Nothing disappoints me in this album and I always seem to stick it on and listen it the whole way through.
Buy It. Stream It. Download It.
Check It Out. My first album review that I consider a masterpiece.
Let me know your comments and if you think differently!!
And Why?
Deftones free downloads links -
http://www.gunsrazorsknives.com
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deftones-new-song-available-for-free-download/
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