- Iamthemorning – Lighthouse
- Myrath – Legacy
- Touche Amore – Stage Four
- Ghost/Aeon – Metanoia
- Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep Of Reason
- Avantasia – Ghostlights
- Gojira – Magma
- Devilment – II : The Mephisto Waltzes
- The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation
- Periphery – III : Select Difficulty
- Opeth – Sorceress
- Epica – The Holographic Principle
- Katatonia – The Fall Of Hearts
- Twilight Force – Heroes Of Mighty Magic
- Revocation – Great Is Our Sin
- Equilibrium – Armageddon
As they say if things were easy everybody would be doing it. Taking somewhat longer than previous records to finish up their new record, Deftones were in the studio for what seemed like an unfeasibly long time. At last breaking the silence with their single “Prayers / Triangles” it was clear that good things do come to those who wait. Finding it harder than usual to get his head around the record, Stephen Carpenter, the band’s thunderous riff machine slowly but surely cottoned on to the record. Delivering knockout classics the likes of “Doomed User” to the rather more arid “Hearts / Wires“.
Encapsulating the many moods of Deftones, the record is able to be just as soothing as it is destructive. Featuring a guest solo by the one and only Jerry Cantrell on “Phantom Bride” the track showcases what makes a truly brilliant record . Air tight songwriting, memorable swirling choruses courtesy of Moreno’s inimitable vocals both striking a chord musically and emotionally and the colour hues of those all important leads. Acting as a vehicle for anger leading right up to a state of serenity. Coupled with the genius dynamics by the bands sticksmaster Abe Cunningham, the band are able to craft a drowsy, hazey nostalgia that can definitely have more bark than bite. From the moment the record begins to its end, the listener is swept away in the care of Deftones. A fantastic addition to their already genius catalogue and proof that the band aren’t just a nineties phenomenon and never will be.
