This week brings us new Deftones album Gore, their first since 2012’s Koi No Yokan and the first recorded since the passing of bassist Chi Cheng in 2013. This is a fitting album from a band that can constantly reinvent themselves while maintaining a distinctive sound – Gore may be polished, but it remains fundamentally Deftones in every way. And just like their past albums, it is emotional enough to make even the most cynical listener feel vulnerable.
First single and album opener “Prayers/Triangles” is an urgent, despairing track that now comes with a psychedelic music video, while “Hearts/Wires” is mellow enough to almost qualify as easy listening. But my favorite release so far is “Phantom Bride”, which features legendary Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell and some chillingly gorgeous vocals by the ever poignant Chino Moreno.