Deftones eighth studio album Gore is a great showcase for the growth that their music has underwent since their self titled debut album in 2003. Deftones have not simply made a record with recycled riffs and simple lyrics with the goal of standing on the shoulders of their previous work, but have released a very lyrical and musically diverse album. It seems that it has become like clock work that every couple of years the Deftones release a record that shakes the hard rock community to its foundation and reminds everyone just why the Deftones have reached their level of success. Another reason the Deftones have become such a force to reckon with is their diverse nu metal style that seems to never waver. The Deftones stay true to themselves and dont seem to take notice of the ever changing hard rock world around them. Keeping their romantic themes while not compromising their brutally heavy riffs and harsh vocals they have created a sound like no other that has carved them a spot in todays heavy metal community.

One of the things I liked most about this record was its old sounding recording. In a world where every flaw seems to be edited out in the studio, the harsh and abrasive sounds of metal seem to have been manipulated by the auto tuning that we all dread so much. The Deftones on the other hand seem to have done the opposite rather then editing out their vocal flaws and cracks their record seems to almost celebrate them. Leaving the minor voice cracks and pitch changes that give it such a raw finish. This not only stays true to the Deftones that emerged more then ten years ago but also reinforces our belief that what were listening to is unadulterated rock in its purest form. This gives the record an almost underground feel which helps you connect with the band on a more cerebral level. Instead of hearing the crisp sounds of the studio, you connect with the band. You feel their pain and anger which causes an immediate attachment to the band.

Combine all this with the spaced out guitar riffs and the violent breakdowns that seem to just keep on coming throughout the album. Gore leaves you with the need to hear more and a sense of dissapointment when that final song fades out which for an album with a run time just short of 50 minutes is no small feat. All in all the Deftones have not disappointed and provided us with yet another astounding  record to accompany what is already an extremely impressive discography.


2016 All rights reserved
Headbangers Heaven Production
Eric Snelling