Deftones Make a Joyful Comeback and Launch a New Chapter with 'Private Music,' Their First Album in Five Years - Atwood Magazine

      Deftones continue their evolution with 'Private Music' – a radiant return for one of metal's most cherished bands, showcasing their rare talent for remaining timeless while advancing their sound.

      Stream: ‘private music’ – Deftones

      Over their 30+ years together, Deftones have created various creative paths, experiencing subtle musical rebirths as they mature. They have not taken drastic turns like a Kid-A-style shift or made choices that could alienate their fanbase, yet they have transformed into something distinctly different from their origins in early ’90s Sacramento rock venues. Their music spans the jagged proto-nu-metal of Adrenaline to the cinematic, cosmic rock of Koi No Yokan, making them difficult to classify easily. Many critics have labeled them as alternative metal—though their style is an eccentric mix that shifts tone with every project.

      Released on August 22nd through Reprise Records, Private Music leans towards the spacier end of the Deftones spectrum, occupying its unique corner while resembling Diamond Eyes in style. It is direct and melodic, marking a departure from the previous two albums. The record feels cleaner, a testament to their maturity. Chino Moreno’s voice has remained impressively intact over the years, widely acknowledged to still possess the power, largely due to the gradual reduction of the screaming aspect of his vocals in recent releases.

      private music – Deftones

      Collapse in your room,

      preparing your strength

      The power you feel from the contact

      So in love with the calm and the chaos

      Closer to God, closer to space, locked in

      While Private Music doesn’t lack heaviness – it still embodies the epic, soaring music the band has been known for over the years. It features dramatic drops and stadium-rocking drums, just as loud as their previous work. Yet, there is a sense of restraint. After so many years, Deftones are now approaching their craft thoughtfully and wisely.

      "Milk of the Madonna" instantly feels classic. Marking the final act of the album, its high-energy power chords demand immediate attention, creating a sonic wall that hits even harder after a few slower tracks. It showcases Deftones at their most straightforward, with some of their catchiest hooks in a while. Moreno navigates the frantic soundscape, repeatedly declaring “I’m on fire” with his characteristic energy. It possesses that raw, dynamic pulse that has been prominent in the band’s later works, making it a highlight on every listen of the record.

      An homage to the joy of live performance, “Infinite Source” will ignite all the Deftones sensations in your mind. The harmonic guitar intro, Abe Cunningham’s splashy ride cymbal, and Moreno holding the lyrics close with a smile while singing into the mic feel very familiar. He implores – “hold me tight” and “last time adorning the stage, our final wave and bow” – implying that the band might be contemplating a farewell. However, it's more about those final moments of a show. Each night concludes with a last song, encouraging listeners to seize the moment. This theme recurs in Moreno’s lyrics – pursuing those fleeting, ethereal instances, momentarily capturing them, then watching them vanish like smoke.

      Feel the waves

      Crash against the concrete from below

      A new wine

      Intoxicates you slowly out of time

      Deftones ‘private music’ © Clemente Ruiz

      The key to Deftones’ strength lies in their consistency. Throughout the gradual evolution of their sound, amid necessary and creative changes, they have sustained a core auditory identity. It’s immediately recognizable as Deftones. Besides Moreno’s celebrated and distinct vocal presence in heavy music, Stephen Carpenter, one of the most groundbreaking metal guitarists, is an essential element of the Deftones identity.

      For nearly 20 years, Carpenter has steered clear of riff-heavy guitar work, developing a solo-free, textural approach that enriches the sound without overpowering it; a quality many of his contemporaries have not mastered. He expertly employs technical minimalism, enhancing simple chord progressions with layers of feedback and a complex pedalboard. From the commanding march of “My Mind Is A Mountain” to the sparse, low-revved richness of “Departing the Body,” Private Music showcases some of Carpenter’s most remarkable achievements.

      In your dreams, all we see

      Are the gold-drenched days laid ahead

      Off we sleep, and soon, we’ll sink

      In perfect pose together

      “Souvenir” immerses itself in deep melodies; it embodies the slower side of the band’s essence, reminiscent of diving into a still pool at midnight. It takes two minutes to reach the glimmering pinnacle, with Moreno’s falsetto “We ride!” soaring into the sky after a tempo shift, celebrating the connection between two souls. It’s exhilarating, and just as you start to get too comfortable, the alt metal grooves

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