It has arrived. Finally. Verdict: awesome.
Deftones, characteristically, requires more than one listen to realise the full impact of any album produced by the band. Music and lyrics are multi-faceted, the depth of which is uncovered only after some pretty intense consideration and contemplation. The complexity that is Deftones lies in the band’s contrasting imagery that is reflected in its sound. And the band’s sixth album is no exception. Diamond Eyes sees beauty, hope and positivity juxtaposed with violence and brutality and then wrapped up in the merciless sound of metal – metal that is as heavy as all hell but as dreamy and atmospheric as a Dali painting.
The album, recognisably, speaks in severe images and uses sound to translate those images. Rocket Skates is classic Deftones, lyrically and musically:
You’re red, soaking wet.
I’m right next to you.
You’re red, soaking wet.
Let’s writhe, let me see you trip.
One move that will keep you wet.
Lets fall in a long sadistic trance.
Put the keys in our hands.
Guns. Razors. Knives.
(Fuck with me)
Guns. Razors. Knives
– the words amalgamate images of violence and beauty paraphrased through the cutting scream and dreamy uniqueness of singer Chino Moreno’s voice, which can aptly be described as beautifully violent. Deftones’ lyrics stay true to the theory of metal in their equivocal portrayal of the brutal reality that is called Life. The delicate complexity of the human being and relationships is reflected in many of the album’s songs, which describe a desire for intimacy and reflect a sense of hope and longing. Risk says
I’ll find a way
I’ll confuse them
But I think I can try
I will save your life
I will save your life
I’ll try for you
You’re locked up
You exhaled
You did it before
I seen it
Come outside
And breath in
Relax your arms
And let me in
- a contemplation reiterated in the likes of You’ve Seen the Butcher, Beauty School, 976-Evil and This Place is Death, all of which contain similar motifs and ideals. Do You Believe, in contradiction to the aforementioned songs, suggests a tone of scepticism:
Do you really think,
that love is gonna save the world?
I don’t think so.
I just don’t think so
Title track Diamond Eyes renders a fantastical metaphor, which reminds listeners of the band’s affinity for that which is surreal and often unfathomable:
Time will see us realign
Diamonds rain across the sky
I will lead us to the same realm
The album consolidates Deftones’ awesome 22 year career, from the classic Rocket Skates and the ethereal romance of This Place is Death and Diamond Eyes to the 80s undertone in Ghosts and the head-banging severity of CMND/CTRL – it has it all.
Love it Andrea, its one of my all time fav’s already, dreamy and deadly.