It’s a common problem on Gore, which meanders a little too often for its own good – although the band do find some interesting nooks and crannies to explore as well.

The chorus gets intense and moody, and the shrieked bridge is classic Chino, but even though all the same sounds are present, the song seems to lack a sense of urgency.

Lead single “ Prayers/Triangles” enters on a wash of feedback, and a rippling, very pretty guitar line from Stephan Carpenter. That’s not to say stale Deftones doesn’t sound really good, but it feels like a letdown, especially after the phenomenal back-to-back of Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan. Even the lyrics rehash a lot of the same imagery – frontman Chino Moreno’s fascination with guns, razors, and knives continues here. For the first time with Gore, they have made an album that doesn’t really sound fresh. Adrenaline‘s rage, White Pony‘s experimental electronics, the wall of sludge that is Diamond Eyes, all of them are easily distinguishable. The key factor that has made the Deftones so enduring is that each album has sounded distinctly unique among the band’s work, even though every album uses many of the same elements.

Best deftones albums