THE DEFTONES: HARD ROCKERS WITH ‘DIAMOND EYES’, HEARTS OF GOLD

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ready to start a riot? The Deftones are here to help. Fully loaded and ready to rearrange your hearing and revamp your auditory nerve. I’ve always been a fan of their slick, heavy musical style, that thundering bass that makes the speakers shake if put up at a proper volume. These cool cats have been tearing it up since ‘89, and they’re not even thinking about stopping. Against all their trials (and they’ve had a lot of them), they’ve pulled it together and kept the strings strumming. Most people when faced with too many obstacles will lay down, bury their dreams, and make do with a common life. For these guys, that was never considered as an option. All anyone has to do is take a look and a listen, and they’ll understand why The Deftones have so many people dancing to their tune.

Their newest album, Diamond Eyes, is a perfect element for mass destruction and ideal creation. It was leaked onto the internet around March, and the results have been beautiful. The Deftones have a huge slough of loyal fans, and everyone has been biting their nails down, waiting for this album’s official release. Some are saying that the new album doesn’t carry the band’s classic edge, but most aren’t disappointed. (I fall in the latter category.)

Some of the songs are brimmed with pain, while others are forceful, having all passions unhinged. Like anything they put out, it’s all an idyllic headbanging induction. Thankfully, the screamo elements aren’t overdone, but have just enough zest behind them to remind you just how intense hard rock and progressive metal should feel. If anything, it’s a refreshing take on their usual style, proving, as usual, that they’re never bound to one single genre.

No matter what you want to label it, their music still has the power to make your hair stand on end and your brain feel numb with confused ecstasy. With every chorus, especially in Royal, the tune seems to hit you in slow motion, peeling away the strength of chaos and finding the centre within. Any song could be considered the ‘best song’ of the album, making the whole CD a joyride.

Yet, who would have thought that such kick-ass fellas could be so sensitive. Not only do they possess undying loyalty for their fans, but their heartfelt actions often hit right at home. In light of their bassist Chi Cheng getting into a car accident and going into a semi-conscious state two years ago, the band has gone to many lengths to keep updates on his condition, and encourage donations to help him through the process. Hard rockers with hearts of gold — how often do you see that?

If you’re in the mood to let the beat take over, check out their music video for Rocket Skates below.
　