Summary:The sixth album for the rock band was recorded and released as a substitution (with Sergio Vega on bass) to Eros which was put on hold when bassist Chi Cheng was involved in a serious car accident.
These 11 tracks flow fantastically, sounding like products of a focused period of writing and recording, completed over a relatively short space of time.
Granted, freedom to roam does come standard with Deftones, as do the many chunky and graceful tendencies of Diamond Eyes. What matters is that the band can still find different—and fun—ways to combine and contrast it all.
The set is full of the Deftones' usual energy and showcases singer Chino Moreno's knack for alternating between screams and sweet vocal delivery over heavy, complex guitar work.
Musically this is the most satisfying Deftones album in a decade, welding their patented post-hardcore crunch with their noted love of twisted, Cure-styled melody. [June 2010, p. 92]
It's a no-brainer that The Deftones are the best band of not just modern rock, but in music itself. If you thought that Saturday Night WristIt's a no-brainer that The Deftones are the best band of not just modern rock, but in music itself. If you thought that Saturday Night Wrist was their most diverse offering to date, think again, because Diamond Eyes extends the band's capabilities even more than what most people thought White Pony did to Around the Fur. The crushing 8-string guitar riffs of Stephen Carpenter, the melodic whisper-to-scream vocals of Chino Moreno, the unique sampling of Frank Delgado, the promising bass lines of Sergio Vega (who joined as a replacement of comatose Chi Cheng), and the complex drumming of Abe Cunningham combine to create an album more cathartic than anything else in their discography, and the entire face of rock. Diamond Eyes is a perfect record in every sense of the word.…Expand
People tend to attach memories and emotions to music. That's why, when you here that old song, you think of 'that summer', when life wasPeople tend to attach memories and emotions to music. That's why, when you here that old song, you think of 'that summer', when life was fantastic, your girl was a personal favour from God to you, and your only complaint had something to do with the temperature of your beer.
What sets this record apart from other contenders to my first review is not the fact that it was made in the absence of their comatose bassist and good friend, or that they scrapped all their previous work, and started fresh with stand in bassist Sergio Vega, all in less than 2 years. No. What set this album apart are the emotions that come with it. Deftones open a new door with every song you listen to on this album. Not a single melody sounds generic or bland. The album is a mixture of edgy, almost-metal, to chilled, shoegazing, cruising-the-streets ballads. While tracks like Diamond Eyes and Rocket Skates unleash the hard, pounding aggression of the band, you get the likes of 976-Evil, Sextape and Prince, to crack open the beer and put your feet up to. Listen to this rock album, and you wonâ…Expand
Outstanding songs, outstanding tracklist flow, outstanding new direction for an outstanding band. They had some very tragic inspiration forOutstanding songs, outstanding tracklist flow, outstanding new direction for an outstanding band. They had some very tragic inspiration for this album with the loss of their bass player and the result is extremely beautiful. Post White Pony, Deftones music was trending towards sounding more and more dark, tortured, and cynical. The band were struggling mentally. They were losing themselves to drug addiction and other issues, fed up with each other, and on the verge of calling it quits. According to Chino their recovery was already underway, but Chi's incident no doubt filled them with a determination and focus that pushed them to the next level to make arguably their greatest ever album. Diamond Eyes is probably the first Deftones album to ever be uplifting, hopeful and joyful despite them really having a reason not to be and this is really what makes this an amazing and triumphant album. Also there's zero filler. Favourite tracks are Beauty School, Prince, Sextape, 976-EVIL.…Expand
The album is absolutely perfect, is the new generation of metal. The instrument sounds are impeccable and unique, but what I love this albumThe album is absolutely perfect, is the new generation of metal. The instrument sounds are impeccable and unique, but what I love this album and Deftones are their amazing and innovative lyrics. An example would be "Sextape" is what we would consider the ballad of the album and talks about the desire to feel "the sound of ocean waves", figuratively obviously, there's the song "This Place Is Death" more that sexual, refers to love, the feeling of reciprocity with another person. Creates a dense atmosphere that serves a farewell without lowering the bar with a less harsh guitars and harmonicas, a battery that sustains the rhythm on the toms and a pretty melodic voice. This album is one of the best of 2010, do not hesitate to have it.…Expand
this is quickly becoming my favorite deftones album, as it seem they for once they actually tried to tap into their massive talent pool. inthis is quickly becoming my favorite deftones album, as it seem they for once they actually tried to tap into their massive talent pool. in all actuality this is their 2nd best album which is sad considering the obvious talent. after 20 years of ok to good music while always seeming on the verge of greatness but never quite reaching it, this record seems to atleast be an attempt at actually becoming the band their fans always thought one day they would be.... about time…Expand
It took a while to grow on me, but it's definitely a great album. For me, it's more consistent and overall more satisfying than Saturday NightIt took a while to grow on me, but it's definitely a great album. For me, it's more consistent and overall more satisfying than Saturday Night Wrist. That album had some amazing songs and some filler (rare for this band) however this is an album that flows well from start to finish. Strangely, the only track I find myself skipping sometimes is Sextape which used to be my favorite off the album. I just find that it works better as a standalone track, or could have opened or closed the album. Not sure I love the production, but it's not bad by any means. Whether it's their best record ever is entirely subjective, but they are definitely progressing as a band, and their latest Koi No Yokan is arguably even stronger.…Expand
The spirit and consistency found in their self-titled 2003 release is renewed into something a lot more positive and passionate. The coma ChiThe spirit and consistency found in their self-titled 2003 release is renewed into something a lot more positive and passionate. The coma Chi found himself in, really provoked this band into generating their best set of songs in a decade, proving not only their relevance commercially but as musicians.…Expand
