| Diamond Eyes | ||||
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| Studio album by Deftones | ||||
| Released | May 18, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | Late 2009 | |||
| Genre | Alternative metal | |||
| Label | Warner Bros., Reprise | |||
| Producer | Nick Raskulinecz | |||
| Deftones chronology | ||||
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Diamond Eyes is the sixth studio album released by the American rock band Deftones. The album will be released through Warner Bros. Records/Reprise Records on May 18, 2010. Deftones finished recording another studio album in 2008, tentatively titled Eros, but felt it did not represent the band artistically at the time. The release of Eros was put on hold in favor of this album in June 2009. Deftones bassist Chi Cheng was in a coma during the recording of the album, and was replaced by Sergio Vega.
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Deftones started writing for their follow up to 2006's Saturday Night Wrist in early 2007. The band was dissatisfied with the lengthy writing and recording process of Saturday Night Wrist, and wanted to release a quick follow-up record in the same manner as earlier albums released by Deftones. Earlier records such as 1995's Adrenaline and 1997's Around the Fur were recorded without the digital audio program Pro Tools. Instead, they were recorded as just a band "in the room with just our instruments, no other distractions" according to front-man Chino Moreno.[1] The band recorded and completed their Terry Date produced album, tentatively titled Eros, in 2008, and was expected to be released in early 2009.[2]
In November 2008, Deftones bassist Chi Cheng was seriously injured in an automobile accident, leaving him in a coma and putting the release of Eros on hold. Unsure of if or when Cheng would recover and be able to play in the band again, Deftones started playing various shows and festivals starting in early 2009 with Sergio Vega, former bassist of post-hardcore band Quicksand. Vega had previously filled in for Cheng during tours in 1999, and is a close friend of the band.[3] At this point, Deftones weren't sure if they wanted to break up or continue writing and performing music.[4]
In June 2009, Deftones decided to indefinitely put the release of Eros on hold and start writing a brand new album with Sergio Vega.[5] The band still hopes to release Eros at some point, but Deftones wanted to wait until Cheng was no longer in a semi-conscious state, and they didn't feel that it represented who they were as artists or as people at the time.[6][7] Deftones wanted to make an optimistic record, as opposed to the dark and angry album they just finished.[8] Diamond Eyes was recorded in two months with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver, Stone Sour).[9] Deftones avoided using Pro Tools on the album in favor of writing songs together as a band and practicing them "a million times 'til they were perfect" in order to achieve a more raw and "personable" sound.[8]
Diamond Eyes was originally scheduled to be released on April 27,[9] but was pushed back three weeks to May 18, 2010 through Warner Bros. Records/Reprise Records.[10] The first song released off the album, "Rocket Skates," was available for free download through the band's official website on February 23, 2010.[10] The song had been included in Deftones live performances starting in October 2009,[5] and will be released as a limited edition 7" vinyl single for international Record Store Day on April 17, 2010.[11] The first radio single will be the title track, "Diamond Eyes," and will be released for airplay on March 30, 2010,[12] and will be released as a digital single on March 23, 2010.[13]
After dealing with the tragedy surrounding Chi Cheng's car accident, Deftones wanted to create an album with an overall positive and optimistic vibe. Describing the band's state while writing for the album, Chino Moreno stated, "Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music."[14] The songs on the album do not feature songs about complaining, hurting, or how "life sucks" – a common lyrical theme Moreno has noticed since the early 90s.[8][15] Moreno describes the overall theme of the album as a "positive zest for life," and also having "a fantasy vibe" similar to White Pony.[8][15] The song lyrics for "Rocket Skates" contain "beautiful yet violent imagery," and was compared to the Deftones song "Knife Party" from White Pony.[8] Deftones also thought it would be difficult to tour in support of a new album with memories of Cheng attached to it. Commenting on song writing, Moreno stated:
| “ | I don't like listening to people's problems -- I like music. Music has been smothered with that complaining since the early-'90s. It gets old. Instead of going to the opposite side of the spectrum and listening to Black Eyed Peas, which is just straight silly, I choose to listen to more instrumental music. I do very little singing about myself on this record. I love songs where I can totally take myself out of being human. I can sing about really odd things, and they don't necessarily have to pertain to me at all. It paints a picture. Those are the kind of lyrics I grew up with -- like The Cure. Really visual images and no storytelling. | ” |
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—Chino Moreno[8] |
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