Ever since Deftones released their new album Private Music a couple months back, it’s been in constant rotation. It’s a really good album. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should! It’s the album that should’ve come after Koi No Yokan. If you want to read more about Private Music, you can check out my review here. Earlier this week, while in the beginning stages of putting together an Ultimate Set List for Deftones, I realized how many great songs they have that don’t get played live. And there are a bunch. One track in particular that I’ve always gravitated to is the final song on their 2003 self titled album, “Moana.” According to setlist.fm, this song has only been played live twice and both happened in 2004. That must change (no pun intended)! “Moana” is one of those signature Deftones songs with the ambience, heavy guitars, pulsating rhythms and those oh so sweet vocals! So, I’m putting it out in the universe that “Moana” needs to start getting it’s time to shine!!
I’m sure I’m not only one that has been a Deftones fan for over 30 years. What’s even crazier is seeing all these young kids now getting into the band all these years into their career. The resurgence of Deftones has been quite interesting to watch. While their past couple albums have seemed pretty lackluster and clearly not very inspired, their new album Private Music is the band we all know and love firing on all cylinders again. Everyone in the band really seems into the new album and feeling that fire again.
Private Music is the album we’ve been waiting to be the follow up to Koi No Yokan. Deftones when they are focused like this are unstoppable. The ethereal and ambient sounds mixed with the heavy and more spacey, delicate riffs, along with the always pulsating and driving rhythmic nature are at peak performance on this album. From the moment “My Mind Is A Mountain” begins you can feel the energy simmering to a boil and from there it’s an absolute trip. the ride you go on through this record is uplifting, optimistic and directly channelled. Songs like “Ecdysis,” “Infinite Source,” “Souvenir,” make up one hell of a part of the trip! These 3 songs back to back to back is otherworldly. Listening you’ll hear what I mean. “Milk Of The Madonna” should have been the first single released but, that’s a topic for a whole other time. This track has this really cool Saturday NightWrist vibe to it, giving a nice little nod to that album. Side note, Saturday Night Wrist, while it was a divided time for the band, it’s their most underrated album. There’s plenty of other throwback elements like on “Cut Hands” and “Metal Dream.” The one track though that really has me is the final song “Departing The Body.” When you listen to this song it really sinks its teeth in and gently breaks the skin and the emotion pour out is beautiful. Working with Nick Raskulinecz again really helped make this album truly complete.
Private Music is one of those albums that makes you want to put it on repeat. Deftones have been able to connect with people for years and this album is another example of how truly artistic and meaningful their music is. Chino sounds crisp, rejuvenated and roaring. Stephen Carpenter’s playing on this album is back to what we know he can do. Abe Cunningham is still one of the best drummers in all of rock not to mention, he still brings in fresh tasty beats. Frank Delgado has really come into his own over the year with his soundscapes and here it’s truly on display. Fred Sablan brings in a very full tone and uses the space to his advantage. All the best elements of Deftones are here for you to listen to!
After a very long wait (as per usual with Deftones), we finally have arrived at new music! “My Mind Is A Mountain” is the first single and first track from the 10th studio album from Deftones. Private Music, will be released on August 22, 2025 and it’s definitely one that I’m highly anticipating. “My Mind Is A Mountain” contains all the elements that make Deftones who they are. This song in particular has the feel of what should have been the logical next step after Koi No Yokan. The band reunited with producer Nick Raskulinecz who previously worked with the band on Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan. The bands recent US tour showed a revitalized band and then truly firing on all cylinders once again! Here’s to a great new chapter for Deftones!
It’s been 10 years since I’ve seen Deftones live. I’ve seen them at least 12 times in my life before last night. I had taken a bit of a break from seeing them for a myriad of reasons but, I’m really glad that a couple friends said “Brian, I got an extra ticket and you are going to Deftones with us.” And what a show it was. Before I get into all the fun of the night, I will say this was one of the best Deftones shows I’ve been to. There is something special about this new run for them and I’m quite excited to hear what’s to come.
Just before 9pm the hype music started and all sorts of 80’s dance songs started pumping through the Forum. The looks on peoples faces was quite a sight to see as you could tell people were most definitely getting hyped up and ready for the onslaught. Then the lights went down, and Stephen Carpenter appeared on stage and then you heard the start of it all and BAM… “Be Quiet And Drive” kicks it all off and with a trademark Chino scream to really kick it off. The groove of that song had the entire crowd on their feet and immediately drawn into the show. From there it was just classics and fan favorites throughout the night. Songs from every album were played making it a well rounded set. Some of my favorite highlights were “Diamond Eyes,” “You’ve Seen The Butcher,” “Rocket Skates” the tour debuts of both “Around The Fur” and “Headup” (both of which are on the Audioeclectica Instagram page for you to view) as well as “Rosemary,” ” Hole In The Earth” and “Bored.” The production behind the band was quite awesome too. I think this is the biggest production they’ve had in a long time. The visuals playing behind the band and the different camera angles of each member made for a pretty visually stunning background. Abe Cunningham is still a beast on the drums. I find myself watching him a lot at Deftones shows cause he’s so damn good. Frank Delgado’s textures and keys really do add to these songs and live it’s even more fun to hear those nuances. Stephen Carpenter looked like he was genuinely having fun on stage more so than I’ve seen in years. Chino sounded great and his energy is absolutely infectious as it’s always been. The cardio workout he does must be something else! Then you have new comers Fred Sablan on bass who did a great job of holding that low end down. It is still a little weird not to have Chi or Sergio up there but Fred is doing a great job. And I want to give big props to Lance Jackman who has been joining the band on the road for a bit now on guitar and backing vocals. He really adds another layer to these songs that was sort of missing for a bit. All these pieces together really made for a great Deftones show and experience.
Now, this is the part of the review where I’m going to get serious. Having The Mars Volta as direct support on paper was a great idea. Whoever in their camp that came up with the idea to play only their upcoming album really needs to be slapped upside the head. That was one of the most insufferable sets I’ve sat/stood through. I’ve walked out on The Mars Volta in years past for just basically jamming on stage for however long they were on. This was a total self indulgent set. And while I get they wanted to try something new and different, it didn’t work. In fact it damn near sucked the energy out of the entire arena. It’s a shame too cause as musicians they are fantastic but, good lord are they boring. I’d rather be watching paint drip off a wall than see The Mars Volta ever again. Seriously guys, get over yourselves and play at least a good chunk of songs people would know. Selfishness as direct support is ridiculous.
The opening band Fleshwater was cool and had a fun sound that is reminiscent of more mellow Deftones and Siamese Dream era Smashing Pumpkins. They had a good energy on stage and tried their damnedest to get the crowd going but, when you have too much of a shoegaze sound it does tend to all bleed into one and it gets lost. Again, that’s not to say they aren’t a good band, they are a good one, they just need a bit more of an edge to push those songs into your chest. Also, considering that a few of the members are from the band Vein.fm, I did expect a little more but, I did enjoy what I heard.
Basically, I was there to see Deftones and they delivered a great set and one that was chock full of some of my all time favorite songs of theirs. Selling out two nights at the Forum at this stage in their career is a great accomplishment and one they should be quite proud of. This was seriously one of the best Deftones shows I’ve seen since I started to see them live back in 1998 (yeah I know I’m getting old hahaha). I look forward to the new Deftones album when it comes out and seeing them again. Hopefully next time with openers that bring it!
Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
DEFTONES PHOTOS (not many as I was too busy watching the show):
DEFTONES SET LIST: 01) Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) 02) My Own Summer (Shove It) 03) Diamond Eyes 04) Tempest 05) Swerve City 06) Feiticeria 07) Digital Bath 08) Prayers/Triangles 09) You’ve Seen The Butcher 10) Rocket Skates 11) Sextape 12) Around The Fur (Tour Debut) 13) Headup (Tour Debut) 14) Rosemary 15) Hole In The Earth 16) Change (In The House Of Flies 17) Genesis
One of my good friends just went to the annual Dia De Los Deftones festival. It looked like a pretty solid show especially with Knocked Loose and Rile playing alongside Deftones. After the show was over my buddy sent me some video of some songs and I naturally looked up the set list. It was nice to see some rarities played though the majority of the set was a lot of the usual suspects. Not that there’s anything wrong with those, sometimes, it would just be nice to switch it up. Which brings me to my next Ultimate Set List, an updated Deftones set. This one is pretty damn good if I say so myself.
Guideline 1: What line up of the band would it be
Guideline 2: Where would you want to see the show
Guideline 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)
Lineup: Chino Moreno, Abe Cunningham, Frank Delgado, Stephen Carpenter, Chi Cheng
Venue: Fonda- Los Angeles
01) Engine No. 9 02) Elite 03) Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) 04) Good Morning Beautiful 05) Diamond Eyes 06) Kim Dracula 07) Digital Bath 08) Risk 09) When Girls Telephone Boys 10) Swerve City 11) Around The Fur 12) Rocket Skates 13) Radiant City 14) Cherry Waves 15) You’ve Seen The Butcher 16) Lhabia 17) RX Queen 18) Entombed 19) My Own Summer (Shove It) 20) Change (In The House Of Flies) ENCORE: 21) Hole In The Earth 22) Knife Party 23) Rickets 24) Minus Blindfold 25) Pink Maggit (with “Back To School”)
The other day I saw that it’s the 20th anniversary of Deftones 2003 self titled album. I remember the day it came out, it was also the same day as Metallica’s St. Anger! When I went to listen to the album, it’s been quite a minute since I have, I quickly remembered an old favorite song and went straight for it and that song would be “When Girls Telephone Boys.” This song is one hell of a gem. It’s got everything I like about the band in one and live?! Oh, it’s a beast that goes off! I’m just gonna keep it short and simple, enjoy this song!
We are one week away from Deftones releasing their new album Ohms. Now, they have now released the first song on the album “Genesis.” This track definitely has a White Pony vibe mixed with a bit of the self titled one and some Diamond Eyes too. This album is absolutely back on the right track and way better than what Gore was.
The wait is finally over. Deftones have announced their new album, Ohms, will be released on September 25. The first single from the new record is the title track and it’s quite good. Sure there might be some bias on that since it has been a while that we’ve had new tunes from the band. Based on the sound of this track, it seems to bridge the gap between White Pony and their 2003 self titled album. Check out the song.
On Deftones second album (and my personal favorite) 1997’s Around The Fur, it didn’t just have one hidden track, but two. After the final song “MX” finishes, there’s about 15 minutes of silence before there’s a 20 second skit/recording called Bong Hit, which is exactly what it sounds like. Some 13 minutes after that, though, “Damone” begins and the rest is history! This song shouldn’t have been a hidden track. It’s too damn good not to be included in the original sequence of the album. No matter what though, Deftones really knocked it out of the park with this one!
Deftones have a long history of making quite complete albums. There are a couple that are a little disjointed but, for the most part are rather perfectly sequenced. Their artistry and evolution is something that many bands from their era should have taken a cue from. They’ve managed to stay relevant by pushing themselves as songwriters and performers as well as incorporating other elements into their sound to separate themselves from their peers. On these few title track songs, Deftones, really encapsulated the sound of these albums with these songs.
AUDIOECLECTICA 