1. koj

   10

   Expectations were high for Koi No Yokan. It is Deftones seventh album in a row which simply does not disappoint. Each output got compared to 2000s masterpiece White Pony. Lucky enough Deftones never tried to create a White Pony 2, they wrote Albums which obviously fitted in their current status, always covered in a more (Selftitled) or less (Diamond Eyes) dark atmosphere.
   Each output since WP had its problems. The Selftitled was too dark (for me), SNW had great songs, but did not succeed with its experiments (Mein with Serj, Pink Cellphone). Diamond Eyes did not have this weak points but lacked in depth, atmosphere and textures.
   
   Koi No Yokan takes out the strengths of each of these albums since White Pony and leaves out the above criticized points. It´s pretty dark, flows really good as a whole album (nearly every song connects with the next) and adds a huge amount of atmosphere to it. Also, the production seems to be improved regarding Diamond Eyes. There is not one song which doesn´t fit into the album, each song has its place and is loveable from start to finish.
   Starting with Swerve City as a bouncy, poppy opener, Koi No Yokan beautifully delivers Deftones signature move: the dynamics. Leathers verses is one of the heaviest in Deftones history, fighting with the dreamy chorus created by Chinos beautiful voice. The man simply can create moods with his organ.
   Poltergeist, starting with odd handclaps leading into a heavy Carpenter Riff, drives the heavy vs soft game on. Next song, Entombed is simply beautiful and perfect material for a single. Graphic Nature could easily be featured one White Pony. Tempest, the single, connects southern rockesque guitars (straight from the 90s) with a lovely chorus and is one of the highlights. Gauzes beginning brings back Deftones heavy moments and is nothing less than Deftones high standard.
   Rosemary is the heart of Koi No Yokan, one of Deftones highlights of their whole career. A melody which stays in your head forever. Goon Squad with its dynamics lets you headbang before What happened to you? closes the album with a trippy dreampoppy sound. Reminds directly of Chi, who still suffers from the accident 4 yours ago.
   
   KNY is a perfect album for walks through the winter air and can be experienced best as a whole. Listen to this if you are a fan of intelligent alternative rock albums.
   It connects fans of heavy metal (Meshuggah riffing) with the ones of The Cure or The Smiths.
   
   Standout tracks are Leathers, Entombed and Rosemary.… Collapse

   • Helpful? 5 of 5 users said Yes.
2. scottysauce

   10

   Deftones may very well be one of the most consistent and dependable bands of the past 20 years. Each new release sees the band further their musical scope while still retaining that immediately identifiable sound. I personally got hooked into the band with White Pony, specifically the songs … Expand

   • Helpful? 5 of 5 users said Yes.
3. LetzTalkMoveez

   8

   These guys kind of punched me right in the face with Koi No Yokan. They demolish their guitars, they take it back to Rage in their prime, and sometimes they sound like they're writing hip worship music. At both ends, it's pretty fascinating, simultaneously rigid and crafted with ease.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. vicced

   7

   At least after the first decade of the 2000's, the 90's-born genre Nu-Metal seems almost extinct. Leaving an image of dudes in baggy pants, who seem to be 16 for their entire lives and never get tired of rapping about their complicated childhoods or skateboarding, it's not always easy to be fan of a genre-shaping representative: Deftones released their 7th album 'Koi No Yokan' in 2012. Since their masterpiece White Pony in 2000 a classic for all genre-fans and one of the best albums of my generation a lot has changed in the industry and bands like Linkin Park changed from Nu-Metal to pure pop. Probably, it's the timeless beauty and the intriguing, authentic mood they produce, that allows them to keep their identity since the early 90's. Soundwise, Deftones are not as gritty, dirty and pure as in the early years, but a band from that status has deserved an album that is produced as brilliantly as 'Koi No Yokan', even though some old school fans may miss the unfiltered heaviness of the past. The rhythm section comes over very clear, the drums sound a bit too sterile and compressed, but that's the sound these days. The arrangements are very diverse and you can always hear some great new details. As in the predecessor 'Diamond Eyes', the guitar sound blows you away like a low tuned hurricane. Combined with the schizophrenic vocals by Chino Moreno, balancing between maniac shouts and warm melodies, Deftones used their recipe that already worked so well on the past albums. The recipe also worked for the songwriting. The structure is mostly similar and the album is drive by its great, catchy choruses still there's hardly a song for the radio (thank god!). What makes the album so good and consistent is also a slight downside to me: without too many surprises, 'Koi No Yokan' seems a bit slick from time to time. Maybe one reason is the fat production: as in so many modern productions, there's no space for your imagination left. You get a perfect sound, every second is packed with music, overdubs, vocals and dozens of layers. With Swerve City, Deftones open the album with a very heavy, straight-in-your-face piece of music. An unusual opener for the Sacramento based quintet, but it draws your attention immediately and makes you curious for more. Memories of the White Pony days come to your mind when 'Romantic Dreams' starts: there's a bit more space in the arrangement and Carpenter uses great, direct guitar sound Deftones at their best.
   The prepublication 'Leathers' starts with a soft, ambient intro, blast away by massive guitar riffs leading to the probably strongest chorus on the album. The next song, the rather experimental 'Poltergeist' has a typical Deftones feel to it, all though there's a lack of catchy melodies and the chorus seems a bit compelled. Then follows the first really slow song: 'Entombed' feels like the slower pieces on 'Diamond Eyes' but fails to make the tears flow all though it's a consistent, dreamy song. While 'Graphic Nature' comes along without real highlights, 'Tempest' is one of the biggest moments on the album. A sluggish, laid back beat with guitars evokes a picture of a giant, walking in slow motion and trampling down entire buildings. The chorus doesn't have to hide behind 'Leathers'. Moreno's calm voice and the atmospheric guitars merge to an epic, mysterious blast of music that gives you goose bumps.
   It can only get weaker after that, I thought. But the band managed, to surprise with the next song and by taking a whole different direction with 'Gauze', they prevented the listener from comparing the song to the highlight before. The song is a great combination of different periods and it sounds like a 'best of Deftones' compilation in one song. We got the psychedelic party, the low heavy ones, the dreamy melodies. The first clean, atmospheric sound from 'Rosemary' sound exactly like the beginning from 'Sextape'. Luckily the song moves into a different, less romantic direction. Still it doesn't manage to really touch me and sounds as mentioned before like written by recipe. 'Goon Squad' goes in the same direction, the album seems to get a lot weaker by the end. The last two songs head neither high- nor lowlight. Rote awakes in the listener because the songs sound very predictable. The last song 'What Happened To You' is not the biggest surprise, but it's beautiful and contains interesting, experimental elements. Still I would have wished a more glorious ending for the album. 'Koi No Yokan' would have deserved a great finale and the rather boring ending leaves a bitter taste.
   
   Still it's a really good album and one can hear that Deftones are grown ups now who produce mature albums, that have nothing to do with the ridiculous Nu-Metal image that so many people have.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.

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