"Ohms" - Deftones New Album

[honeybeewu]

Yeah Riviere is a masterpiece. For me whole SNW is the top tier of their catalogue - combat, beware, rapture, cherry waves, kimdracula, riviere. These songs basically combine everything what I love this band for. Sadly most of the fans won't agree with me. I hope Ohms will let me feel the same thing...

FWIW I 100% agree with you. Those tracks hit me hard at my core. I am very optimistic about ohms delivering similar.

[Hidalgo]

From the hype I got from the new song, I listened to Gore again, and I'm kind of worried because I really don't enjoy that album. I don't know if it's mostly because of the production, but a lot of these songs I'm tempted to just skip. Finger crossed I guess

the Buflen? Mario Maker Buflen?

[Hidalgo]

Penicks isn't really a fan of the post SNW records, same with Ves. I kind of like that there are people on this forum that go against the grain like that, even though most fans - including me - would disagree (I think DE and KNY are brilliant records). And of course there's a special love for the self-titled which I think is a top three Deftones album.

i kind of appreciate the fans like them more than i used to as well. i don't think they're saying the other albums sucked either, just that they're not hitting them the same way. i respect that. luckily i really like/love all the albums, but certainly have an order for them. i acutally think Crosses is probably the 3rd best album Chino's made(ATF and WP 1st and 2nd). doubt many people agree. everyone's opinion is right to them, not really a big deal

if i had to rank Chino's discography

1. Around the Fur
2. White Pony
3. Crosses
4. Diamond eyes
5. Adrenaline (i started with adrenaline, in late 1995, i don't care if Chino isn't crazy about it)
6. Like Linus (yea i count like linus 12 tracks i put on a cd, lol)
7. Palms
8. s/t
9. Gore
10. Team Sleep (including the 2002 demos)
11. Saturday night wrist
12. Koi no yokan (something had to be last, but i'm a diehard and really like this album a lot. all of them)

still my fav band for sure. 20-25 years ago i used to listen to them almost daily, but the past 15 years or so i only listen to deftones  a few times a year, kinda keeps it all very fresh, and more exciting to hear, cause i don't over play them

[Hidalgo]

Going through their catalog and Riviere is a monster of a song. It might be one of their best. Huge sounds, Chino on point vocally, with beautiful bass lines throughout from Chi. I can't seem to play it loud enough. I love SNW as it is, but if all that ever came out from that time period were Riviere I don't think I would complain.

yes, Riviere would be my favorite from SNW as well

[Hidalgo]

I try and let go of album mixes these days as I have a tendency to focus on it too much and it ruins the enjoyment for me. Even with Ohms I started off by thinking the snare could be louder for my tastes but then had to stop myself as I'll always have a love for 90s style mega loud snares.

I suppose that I'll never be able to listen to an album without a preference here & there but it was getting ridiculous. I'll now just tinker with an EQ a bit and I'm happy.

I'm a sucker for loud snares also

It would be good in the future if Gore got a re-master & new mix, ideally by Terry Date

I'm still very confused about the mix on Gore. I can't believe the band listened to it and were like: Yes, thats the sound we want to go with this time.

i dont get it either, the louder it's played, the worse it sounds. i like the songs, but that mix is rough. i tried to jam "doomed user" loud as hell one time in the car, and it just sounded bad, and i had to turn it down a bit. and yea "Beware" might be even worse sounding mix wise

[buflen]

From the hype I got from the new song, I listened to Gore again, and I'm kind of worried because I really don't enjoy that album. I don't know if it's mostly because of the production, but a lot of these songs I'm tempted to just skip. Finger crossed I guess

the Buflen? Mario Maker Buflen?

Yes. it's me.

I was not expecting to be recognized with this name here. I used to post on the old and retired Deftones official board, and had multiple account here since the very beginning. I forgot my password so I registered again under this name.

[buflen]

Watching chino "perform" in the SNW era was kinda sad.

[ireallywish]

that's an awesome review Ves. SNW is my personal favorite, and while I love the clarity and sharpness of the Terry Date albums (S/T is my 2nd fave) I like the contrast it has with them. DE/KNY are great albums but for me they're polished in a way that kind of hides some of the nuance in their stuff tbh.

[Hidalgo]

Quick write-up:

I actually like Saturday Night Wrist, quite a lot. I bought it in 2007 after catching the Hole in the Earth promo clip on YouTube. I remember thinking that was the most directly emotional Chino had sounded (from the little I knew about) if that makes sense, and the composition sounded very fresh, I loved Frank's ambient and the outro breakdown hit me deep.

The Konami Code is one of the Deftones songs I've overplayed to death (and there aren't as many as you'd think for someone like me). Something about it was different while still sounding very Deftones. Some kind of peaceful innocence mixed with the surrounding melancholy, I don't really have the words. I even remember trying to figure out piano at the time, and I had come up with my own version of the song. No credit to me obviously, it sounded beautiful on piano.

And for as disjointed as the band was and how pieced together to writing process was, I still don't feel the album is as disjointed as many people think. There's only one point in the sequence where I'm thrown off, is the Konami Code into Xerces. I like both tracks (though Xerces may be my least favorite SNW song), but the lack of transition there doesn't work for me. You'd think it's a very Deftones move to go like this, I just don't think it worked that well in that case. And then going into Rats! after that is debatable too. I do like Rats! though. I remember someone on here criticising the very simple lyricism, but the feeling of anger came out really well and sincere. It's definitely in their few all-time heaviest cuts and it didn't feel heavy for the sake of being heavy. That's something for a metal band imo. Hell, does anyone remember another instance of Deftones playing fucking death metal? Someone said Gore felt more cohevise than SNW... I disagree.

Hell, Pink Cellphone used to be the running gag of this forum. I actually did like Pink Cellphone. I thought, for as random as it sounded, it really fitted Saturday Night Wrist. I still think stuff like that and The Konami Code could be played live with success if done correctly.

Kimdracula still is one of my favorite songs. This texture, are you kidding me? It's one of those few songs where you know you can't put this band in a box no matter how hard you try.

Combat comes as a personal preference since I witnessed first hands the only time they pulled it off in front of an audience. I liked it a lot when I first heard it too.

And Riviere. Fucking Riviere man. I didn't notice it on the first few listens, felt like that mandatory ballad by an otherwise heavy band, but holy shit. Those guitar chords hit right when they need to. Chino's vocals come off very sincere and almost fragile. Makes me tear up every time, I'm not ashamed. Absolutely my favorite SNW track and in my top 5 Deftones songs. I may or may not have played a tiny role in them starting playing it live during the KNY cycle, I'll never know.

My two main problems with Saturday Night Wrist are, for one, its touring cycle. I'll never blame a man for gaining weight, I'm not a fucking gossip magazine worker, and I can't be THAT shallow. But how they had all put on weight, especially Chino, was a sign that all those dark years had taken their toll. Stephen admitted, in an interview after the release of SNW, that Chino had a really hard time singing, and he felt very bad for him. It's not to say all the shows sucked, and none of them did from start to end, there was just this inconsistency. Most of the time (not all the time), they'd sound good for a minute and get tired the next minute, and you could hear it if you paid attention (which, as an off-the-record archivist, I did). Don't get me wrong: there are many great performances in the SNW cycle.

My second problem is knowing the potential that was wasted into this. We all know the production could have been a lot better and in fact, was going to be a lot better: they had fucking Bob Ezrin working with them. Sure enough a couple of you don't know, there's a bunch of demos they made with him, they're all available on YouTube. Had they gone through with him and completed these songs and come up with one decent sequence... this album was going to be on another level. We all know it. Stephen knew it at the time and was probably pissed over it.

I'll finish this very biased review with my favorite performance of Rats which, in my opinion, represents what I just said really well. Up until the first chorus, Chino is almost studio-like: the screams, the highs, the rasp, to the point it gives me the biggest chills. After that... it gets inconsistent. Again, don't twist my words. The rest of the band is top-notch through and through, but Deftones songs have always relied a lot on Chino. If he doesn't sound as good, the whole music takes the toll. Hope you get what I mean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXquohLxF3Q

i almost wanna say they played Combat and the boy's republics live for you alone, lol. probably riviere too. didn't you and a few other people from here send some of them messages about playing more rare stuff? now if you can just twist their arm into playing pink maggit

[Hidalgo]

From the hype I got from the new song, I listened to Gore again, and I'm kind of worried because I really don't enjoy that album. I don't know if it's mostly because of the production, but a lot of these songs I'm tempted to just skip. Finger crossed I guess

the Buflen? Mario Maker Buflen?

Yes. it's me.

I was not expecting to be recognized with this name here. I used to post on the old and retired Deftones official board, and had multiple account here since the very beginning. I forgot my password so I registered again under this name.

i used to post their too. i spent so much time on there.i also came here in the first few weeks of the board. their was a different deftonesworld board before this one as well, and was replaced with this one in 2004. cool that you're a big deftones fan. a lot of your levels are named after bands or songs(like ohms, digital bath, etc) i've noticed. loved the 4ymm level. i've probably put 3,000 hours into smm1 and 2 combined, lol

[guizz]

From the hype I got from the new song, I listened to Gore again, and I'm kind of worried because I really don't enjoy that album. I don't know if it's mostly because of the production, but a lot of these songs I'm tempted to just skip. Finger crossed I guess

the Buflen? Mario Maker Buflen?

Yes. it's me.

I was not expecting to be recognized with this name here. I used to post on the old and retired Deftones official board, and had multiple account here since the very beginning. I forgot my password so I registered again under this name.

i used to post their too. i spent so much time on there.i also came here in the first few weeks of the board. their was a different deftonesworld board before this one as well, and was replaced with this one in 2004. cool that you're a big deftones fan. a lot of your levels are named after bands or songs(like ohms, digital bath, etc) i've noticed. loved the 4ymm level. i've probably put 3,000 hours into smm1 and 2, lol

thats my old school name, forgot password is a thing that exists haha. I ended up waiting 2 years to register I guess, but I was reading it. Maybe you might remember me. And thanks, that level took me forever to make, I probably has as much time on the game as you, maybe more. Anyway moving on, this is very out of topic.

[Draken]

I was at that show in Atlanta! They opened with Rats! Rats! Rats! and I arrived late to the venue so I missed most of the opening act Deadsy but I did get to listen to them close with Flowing Glower which was absolutely amazing. I love that song.

Vesanic, great interview btw ^ I can't believe I saw Deftones live before you haha.

Quick write-up:

I actually like Saturday Night Wrist, quite a lot. I bought it in 2007 after catching the Hole in the Earth promo clip on YouTube. I remember thinking that was the most directly emotional Chino had sounded (from the little I knew about) if that makes sense, and the composition sounded very fresh, I loved Frank's ambient and the outro breakdown hit me deep.

The Konami Code is one of the Deftones songs I've overplayed to death (and there aren't as many as you'd think for someone like me). Something about it was different while still sounding very Deftones. Some kind of peaceful innocence mixed with the surrounding melancholy, I don't really have the words. I even remember trying to figure out piano at the time, and I had come up with my own version of the song. No credit to me obviously, it sounded beautiful on piano.

And for as disjointed as the band was and how pieced together to writing process was, I still don't feel the album is as disjointed as many people think. There's only one point in the sequence where I'm thrown off, is the Konami Code into Xerces. I like both tracks (though Xerces may be my least favorite SNW song), but the lack of transition there doesn't work for me. You'd think it's a very Deftones move to go like this, I just don't think it worked that well in that case. And then going into Rats! after that is debatable too. I do like Rats! though. I remember someone on here criticising the very simple lyricism, but the feeling of anger came out really well and sincere. It's definitely in their few all-time heaviest cuts and it didn't feel heavy for the sake of being heavy. That's something for a metal band imo. Hell, does anyone remember another instance of Deftones playing fucking death metal? Someone said Gore felt more cohevise than SNW... I disagree.

Hell, Pink Cellphone used to be the running gag of this forum. I actually did like Pink Cellphone. I thought, for as random as it sounded, it really fitted Saturday Night Wrist. I still think stuff like that and The Konami Code could be played live with success if done correctly.

Kimdracula still is one of my favorite songs. This texture, are you kidding me? It's one of those few songs where you know you can't put this band in a box no matter how hard you try.

Combat comes as a personal preference since I witnessed first hands the only time they pulled it off in front of an audience. I liked it a lot when I first heard it too.

And Riviere. Fucking Riviere man. I didn't notice it on the first few listens, felt like that mandatory ballad by an otherwise heavy band, but holy shit. Those guitar chords hit right when they need to. Chino's vocals come off very sincere and almost fragile. Makes me tear up every time, I'm not ashamed. Absolutely my favorite SNW track and in my top 5 Deftones songs. I may or may not have played a tiny role in them starting playing it live during the KNY cycle, I'll never know.

My two main problems with Saturday Night Wrist are, for one, its touring cycle. I'll never blame a man for gaining weight, I'm not a fucking gossip magazine worker, and I can't be THAT shallow. But how they had all put on weight, especially Chino, was a sign that all those dark years had taken their toll. Stephen admitted, in an interview after the release of SNW, that Chino had a really hard time singing, and he felt very bad for him. It's not to say all the shows sucked, and none of them did from start to end, there was just this inconsistency. Most of the time (not all the time), they'd sound good for a minute and get tired the next minute, and you could hear it if you paid attention (which, as an off-the-record archivist, I did). Don't get me wrong: there are many great performances in the SNW cycle.

My second problem is knowing the potential that was wasted into this. We all know the production could have been a lot better and in fact, was going to be a lot better: they had fucking Bob Ezrin working with them. Sure enough a couple of you don't know, there's a bunch of demos they made with him, they're all available on YouTube. Had they gone through with him and completed these songs and come up with one decent sequence... this album was going to be on another level. We all know it. Stephen knew it at the time and was probably pissed over it.

I'll finish this very biased review with my favorite performance of Rats which, in my opinion, represents what I just said really well. Up until the first chorus, Chino is almost studio-like: the screams, the highs, the rasp, to the point it gives me the biggest chills. After that... it gets inconsistent. Again, don't twist my words. The rest of the band is top-notch through and through, but Deftones songs have always relied a lot on Chino. If he doesn't sound as good, the whole music takes the toll. Hope you get what I mean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXquohLxF3Q

[mandalay]

As far as production, song writing, performance, and overall style nothing will ever top White Pony.  Every second counts on that record, and every second is perfect.  There is not one single weak or boring moment.  A trip of a record, and in my opinion the greatest record I have ever heard in my life. 

If WP was the cool vision of the future, ST was the band's knucklehead past that was somehow released after its predecessor.  Much like the Beatles and Madonna, the band reinvented themselves yet again in an extremely interesting way.  Another record, where each song stands on its own yet all relate back to each other.  Their sound, look, and songwriting evolved in such a fundamental way.  Sometimes it's hard to believe it's the same band.

SNW is where they started repeating themselves a little bit, and it was a bit painful to watch.  There are some brilliant compositions on the record, like Kimdrac, Combat, and Beware, but there are some horrifying moments too like Rapture.  Xerces bores the shit outta me.  And I still shake my head every time I hear those four punchy notes from the main riff of HITE.  I personally appreciate Pink Cellphone except where the nonsense begins. 

DE was a phenomenal, hopeful, and unlikely return for the band.  Royal is truly their Phoenix rising.  I enjoy other tracks but do not appreciate in the same way as their previous works.  Maybe they lack a bit of depth or originality?  Some stuff sounds like an update of something from the past: Sextape / Digital Bath, Cmd/Ctrl / Rats, Beauty School / Minerva, etc.  There's also this weird thing in the songwriting where the verses are far catchier and memorable than the choruses - 976, Royal, and Cmd/Ctrl come to mind.  Also screaming "Guns! Razors! Knives!" never did much for me and just came off a little silly.

KNY sounds like it was recorded back-to-back with Diamond Eyes.  I struggle to enjoy much on this record.  Tempest and Rosemary are fine Deftones songs.  Leathers has one of the best pre/choruses ever written by the band, but the guitar work does not sound like Stef - it sounds like they hired some younger guy to write that riff, but it certainly kicks ass.  I still can't believe they titled a song "Romantic Dreams."

Gore is a bit forgettable overall.  Many complain about the mix/production, but to me it's the underlying songs and performances that are just middling.  I will say, though, Geo has a brilliant chorus.  Acid is trying hard to be interesting.  Hearts/Wires and Phantom Bride are also somewhat very strong songs. 

Honestly not feeling this new song at all.  It does nothing for me.  It sounds very safe.  And I'm really hoping the rest of the album fares better.

As far as pre-WP, I still cannot get over the riff and lyrics in BQAD.  Mascara is another one that showed Deftones were in a league of their own.  And on Adrenaline, Root is my jam <3

[E-Money]

I listened to White Pony start to finish a few months ago for the anniversary... that record still sounds 20 years ahead of current time. So futuristic and creative. It will forever be their crown and jewel. I would just love to hear some new sounds on this record. This is my favorite band because they always push the envelope while still sounding like Deftones. I just have a feeling this will be the best record of the Sergio Era. I know they can still make a banging record. Ohms is a great start.


Still a little bummed it's the closer... wish they would have given us a different song first. But oh well. Great tunes ahead!

[buflen]

As far as production, song writing, performance, and overall style nothing will ever top White Pony.  Every second counts on that record, and every second is perfect.  There is not one single weak or boring moment.  A trip of a record, and in my opinion the greatest record I have ever heard in my life. 

If WP was the cool vision of the future, ST was the band's knucklehead past that was somehow released after its predecessor.  Much like the Beatles and Madonna, the band reinvented themselves yet again in an extremely interesting way.  Another record, where each song stands on its own yet all relate back to each other.  Their sound, look, and songwriting evolved in such a fundamental way.  Sometimes it's hard to believe it's the same band.

SNW is where they started repeating themselves a little bit, and it was a bit painful to watch.  There are some brilliant compositions on the record, like Kimdrac, Combat, and Beware, but there are some horrifying moments too like Rapture.  Xerces bores the shit outta me.  And I still shake my head every time I hear those four punchy notes from the main riff of HITE.  I personally appreciate Pink Cellphone except where the nonsense begins. 

DE was a phenomenal, hopeful, and unlikely return for the band.  Royal is truly their Phoenix rising.  I enjoy other tracks but do not appreciate in the same way as their previous works.  Maybe they lack a bit of depth or originality?  Some stuff sounds like an update of something from the past: Sextape / Digital Bath, Cmd/Ctrl / Rats, Beauty School / Minerva, etc.  There's also this weird thing in the songwriting where the verses are far catchier and memorable than the choruses - 976, Royal, and Cmd/Ctrl come to mind.  Also screaming "Guns! Razors! Knives!" never did much for me and just came off a little silly.

KNY sounds like it was recorded back-to-back with Diamond Eyes.  I struggle to enjoy much on this record.  Tempest and Rosemary are fine Deftones songs.  Leathers has one of the best pre/choruses ever written by the band, but the guitar work does not sound like Stef - it sounds like they hired some younger guy to write that riff, but it certainly kicks ass.  I still can't believe they titled a song "Romantic Dreams."

Gore is a bit forgettable overall.  Many complain about the mix/production, but to me it's the underlying songs and performances that are just middling.  I will say, though, Geo has a brilliant chorus.  Acid is trying hard to be interesting.  Hearts/Wires and Phantom Bride are also somewhat very strong songs. 

Honestly not feeling this new song at all.  It does nothing for me.  It sounds very safe.  And I'm really hoping the rest of the album fares better.

As far as pre-WP, I still cannot get over the riff and lyrics in BQAD.  Mascara is another one that showed Deftones were in a league of their own.  And on Adrenaline, Root is my jam <3

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, your expectations seem way too high and sound super picky. After 25+ years a band is bound to have songs that reminds of previous ones.

[Gaz]

I have SNW on now, in HD audio, not listened to the album in full for a longtime, it's sooo fucking good

[Big Boss]

I've got a feeling this album won't leak. It may leak a day before like the single but that's about it. Even if it did, with the announcement so close to the release date would a leak even interest anyone? I kind of like the short turnaround

[Gaz]

I've got a feeling this album won't leak. It may leak a day before like the single but that's about it. Even if it did, with the announcement so close to the release date would a leak even interest anyone? I kind of like the short turnaround

The gold vinyl I have pre-ordered says it's due to ship to me on the day of release, which I thought was odd

[Matthewtheloser]

In response to mandalay, I just wanted to second Geometric Headdress having a fantastic chorus. The rest of the song isn't as fantastic by comparison, though I still like it. But that chorus always felt like signature Deftones to me. I specifically like when they extend it by a few measures at the end and Chino sings "Now relate like I relate". The high intensity way they close out the song is pretty great too.

[Matthewtheloser]

Even if it did, with the announcement so close to the release date would a leak even interest anyone?

Maybe not a lot of people (that's debatable), I think it would though. Lots of people out there like to have that one pre-release leak, there's some kind of sentimental value to it, like a special edition.

I think there were lots of lessons to learn. Deftones have a long history of having their stuff leaked, and so much has leaked since the internet became a thing. Tool got their album leaked a couple of days prior to the release, same for Glassjaw. I would be surprised if Ohms didn't leak before a "Friday leak" from NZ. But it does seem like they got their stuff on check this time around, I'm keeping positive.

To be honest, if the album leaked even a few days before release I'd probably still listen to it haha. I know that probably bothers a lot of the anti-leak crowd, but whatever.

Speaking of Glassjaw, if I remember correctly, weren't you doing some archiving of Glassjaw shows at some point Ves?