Deftones- Ohms Review

Overall Rating: 9/10

This album is quite the experience and it is highly recommended that you listen to it whole, without skipping tracks. It contains aspects of everything you know and love from the previous Deftones albums with new surprises! Chino Moreno stated in an interview with Kerrang awhile back that he's always described the Deftones sound as having that "yin and yang" and he is definitely right! From cover to cover, this album IS a definite yin-yang. Personally, I think this one should be the real self-titled album. It is very much "them."

"Genesis", the opening track of the album is off to a heavy, darker, start, almost reminiscent of Back to School off of White Pony with its chants, screams, and its pace. This one is a definite banger and a perfect start to the album. Not to mention Stephen Carpenter's riffs are face-melting in this one. It feels out of place compared to the following tracks, but in a way that actually works.

The next tracks, "Ceremony" and "Urantia," follow Genesis with a lighter, yet grungier sound. The elements of these two are very unique, and new to the Deftones sound. They come off as very post-grunge to me and contain harmonized versions of Chino's vocals, something that the band has not experimented much with yet. The thing I love most is that Sergio Vega absolutely shines on these two. His riffs are so groovy and they are his ABSOLUTE best, with him being in the band since the Diamond Eyes album cycle.

The next tracks, "Error" and the "Spell of Mathematics" have very ambient atmospheres to them and are very beautiful. The vocals on "Error" are like harmonious, faint whimpers with an occasional scream. Abe’s drumming really stands out and is the definite driving force. The best moment on this one is the last two minutes when this song builds up to its intense outro full of Chino’s chills-giving, siren-like belting. Vocally, I think this is one of his best. "The Spell of Mathematics" has a very progressive, technical, and groovy sound to it. Again, I think Abe is what makes this track, especially when you hear him go ham around the 2:00 mark. This is one that will definitely get stuck in the listener’s head and should be a single.

"Pompeji," the next track, is the yin-yang borderline. The song opens with a verse that almost feels like an iconic slow dancing anthem that one would hear in an 80's movie. Chino has always been greatly influenced by New Wave music and you definitely hear that in this one. The chorus then hits with a huge punch to the gut as Chino screams "JESUS CHRIST..." and Stephen’s crazy riffs intensify. The lyrics of this one are definitely the darkest on the album, as Chino analyzes the question of salvation, a question that many of us battle with. Another notable thing is the use of seagull sounds in the atmosphere. It was done in such an unusual and genius way and it's one of the most memorable things for on this album. This is another wonderful Sergio track as well, another one where he just SHINES!

"The Link Is Dead" is the absolute heaviest song on the album. It's very haunting and gives off the vibes and screams we know and love off Around the Fur. If you love Around the Fur, this one is a real treat! I think this one would be a killer live show intro, and I really hope it's incorporated into the live sets once bands can tour again! We all know Stephen Carpenter is an amazing guitarist, but I think this one really shows what he can do with his technical abilities. All I can saw is...WOW!

"Radiant City" is an absolute Deftones track. It is everything they've done all tied together. I think that's enough said.

"Headless" is another beautiful and ambient track with a really catchy guitar rhythm and some cool synth elements. It's ambience and use of synth is very similar to Gore, and I think it's the sound the band was searching for when they made Gore. Every single member shines on this one and it's the perfect transition into "Ohms, the ending track.

"Ohms" is the perfect lighthearted album outro we didn't know we needed until its release as the first single. It's a very "feel-good" song that makes the listener feel uplifted when they listen to it and it is definitely one of Carpenter and Cunningham's stronger songs. While it's very vibrant and lighthearted, its riffs are very technical. It definitely has a BIG sound to it, and it would make an amazing stadium game anthem. Like "Genesis," this one sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the other tracks, but in the best way possible.

Final thoughts: This one is definitely one of the best releases of the year. I do think there are pieces where the mix falls flat and Chino competes too much with Carpenter, but other than that, I would rank this one in my top 3 favorite Deftones albums along with Koi No Yokan and Adrenaline. While I know many of you expect the same consistency of Diamond Eyes, Koi No Yokan, or even White Pony, this is not that and I challenge you to keep your minds open. Give this a few listens if you have to. Why should Deftones have to put the same album out twice? There's too much predictability in that and that makes it less fun. Take a listen and enjoy Ohms for what it is!