DEFTONES Schallplatten & CDs

Review: No matter what type of project Deftones followed up their career-defining White Pony with, it was destined to disappoint at least some of their devout fanbase. Originally released in 2003, the band's self-titled fourth effort would mark their final collaborative project with iconic producer Terry Date (until reuniting for 2020's Ohms), while notably eschewing much of the "nu-metal" residue that still clung to their sonic makeup. Embracing elements of trip-hop and post-metal, while directly linking the group to the "are they or aren't they shoegaze?" debate which has loomed overhead ever since, the album has seen a steady reassessment from lacklustre follow up to underappreciated gem. With any luck, this reissue should continue to help highlight the cause as cuts such as 'Minerva' still soar with triumphant yet sultry hypnotics while 'Hexagram' serves as one of the heftiest cuts in the band's canon. It didn't even need an additional title. This is simply Deftones, and it still slaps two decades on.

Review: The era in which Deftones could be judged as part of the nu-metal herd, dealing out hip-hop influenced riff-ballast with angst to spare, seem like another aeon in light of triumphs like this eight full-lengther, which builds on the brooding and incandescent strains of their most recent work to create a visionary display of art-damaged majesty which veers seamlessly from whisper to scream as only this band can, 'Gore' displays the kind of poise and elan that we've come to expect from this unique band, one who now stand proud alongside the likes of Radiohead and Sigur Ros as an entity whose reach and uncompromising artistry extends beyond genres and generations alike.