ALBUM REVIEW: Ohms – Deftones

For DEFTONES, there doesn’t need to be an introduction into what you might expect from one of their albums. They’ve amassed a cult following of fans because of their unique sound that has captivated hearts all over the globe since their inception. This year alone saw a large scale of music lovers share an excitement for the band marking their 20th anniversary of White Pony, and announcing the companion of remixes under the album Black Stallion. What people haven’t been prepared for though, is not just one, but two albums from the titans. As DEFTONES welcome Ohms to the table, the question is just what have they done to up their game this time?

Genesis opens up the highly-anticipated album with subtle electronic sounds wading under a simplistic guitar tone before erupting into a sound that is only known to be done by DEFTONES. Chino Moreno‘s signature vocals screech with an amplified energy that is supported by the instrumentation of his fellow band members, all of whom seem to be delivering with a drive that sends shivers down the spine.

Ceremony continues this vibe through before it leads into Urantia. Urantia again holds the unique sound that makes you aware that this is DEFTONES, but it stands boldly in the spotlight, not for it’s ferocity, but for it’s truly crushing weight of emotion. It has all of the elements that are known to make this band what they are. It jumps between heavy riffs, melancholy vocal melodies, battering drums and the groove of the bass to the simple vocals of Moreno and accompanying drum beats from Abe Cunningham with such elegance.

Error and The Spell of Mathematics follow a similar suit, but it is at this midway point in which one thing stands out. Usually by a ninth album, you usually start to notice the freshness of bands ebbing away by the middle mark, but this is not the case for DEFTONES and these two mark a point in which this might be the most engaged the band have been in writing music in a long time. Both tracks have their own strengths, forbidding any dip that might be given the opportunity to give way.

Pompeji glides in effortlessly after, and again, is a prime example of how this band have created pillars to hold this album up in each song. The way Moreno‘s vocals pair with the gentle guitar melodies from Stephen Carpenter before storming into an energetic fit of rage before again, transitioning back to the calm is done in a clever fashion. When others have attempted the dramatic shift in sound and style, it often sounds clunky and generally just off, but there is no moment where this happens, each section flows gently into the other. It’s here where it should be noted that Pompeji is up there as one of the strongest songs on the album. This is where DEFTONES show us that even decades on in their career, they still have the ability to develop their already intricate sound and create something where one minute you’re fighting back tears with a terrific weight on your chest, and then another you’re furious with the world. This is one of those moments where you remember why this band have the die-hard following that they do.

This Link Is Dead follows immediately after Pompeji with the same soundscapes that closed the song. Moreno‘s vocals are what can only be described as despair-driven and full of anguish. Again, another perfect accompaniment made with the instrumentation. Each member delivers top-tier energy and effort into achieving the best sound for each other to bounce off. Moving onto Radiant City, the energy doesn’t fall back and continues on the same level. Headless slows down the mood slightly as it begins to open up in a delicate form. Quickly following the gentle atmosphere, heavy thuds come from each instrument, partnering with the softer tones of Moreno‘s voice.

Closing the album, title track Ohms takes the centre stage. Every element of this song floods in and sounds ten times thicker than anything else. The guitar tones from Carpenter almost eat the bass and drums alive, but even then, it doesn’t sound like it’s overwhelming in any sense. It is breath-taking and exciting to listen to, no matter how many repeats it has been on, it doesn’t tire out. Ohms is the anthem of the album.

There’s one important thing to take away from DEFTONES‘ ninth effort. They will always find a way to improve areas that should be impossible to improve. It’s a little cliche to say that this is the heaviest album the band have released to date, and whilst every other album has it’s elements, this is possibly the most consistent in how they put it together. There’s no lacking with Ohms, there’s no falling behind, each song pushes the next to be the best version of itself and yet everything sounds effortless. This band have an incredible way of making music sound different and enchanting to listeners from all genres. Ohms is proof that they up their energy levels with each release, and is exactly why they’re still one of the best bands in the game. It is an unimaginable idea that DEFTONES can deliver anything less than true greatness.

Rating: 10/10

Ohms is set for release on September 25th via Warner Records.

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