Back in 2001 on Chimaira’s debut album, Pass Out Of Existence, there is a track on there called “Rizzo” that was co-written by the band and Stephen Carpenter of this little band called Deftones. The band found out Stephen was a fan of the band after he had heard their song “Dead Inside,” and they wound up sending Stephen a shirt and he would then wear while on tour in support of White Pony. If you watch the video for “Digital Bath,” you can see the shirt they sent him. Stephen’s writing and playing style meshes really well with this era of Chimaira. “Rizzo” is a great example of how putting the tone and style of another guitarist can really work out well.
We are one week away from Deftones releasing their new album Ohms. Now, they have now released the first song on the album “Genesis.” This track definitely has a White Pony vibe mixed with a bit of the self titled one and some Diamond Eyes too. This album is absolutely back on the right track and way better than what Gore was.
The wait is finally over. Deftones have announced their new album, Ohms, will be released on September 25. The first single from the new record is the title track and it’s quite good. Sure there might be some bias on that since it has been a while that we’ve had new tunes from the band. Based on the sound of this track, it seems to bridge the gap between White Pony and their 2003 self titled album. Check out the song.
Yesterday evening, I was on a Deftones rabbit hole and found myself looking up a lot of Adrenaline era live videos. While on this trip, my interest in the song “Teething” peaked the most. I will always remember the song from being a part of The Crow: City Of Angels Soundtrack (great soundtrack but, terrible movie). I especially remember that they are in fact featured in the movie playing the song. “Teething” most definitely should have been included on the Adrenaline album. It’s such a cool song. So, enjoy some Deftones today!
On Deftones second album (and my personal favorite) 1997’s Around The Fur, it didn’t just have one hidden track, but two. After the final song “MX” finishes, there’s about 15 minutes of silence before there’s a 20 second skit/recording called Bong Hit, which is exactly what it sounds like. Some 13 minutes after that, though, “Damone” begins and the rest is history! This song shouldn’t have been a hidden track. It’s too damn good not to be included in the original sequence of the album. No matter what though, Deftones really knocked it out of the park with this one!
Back in 1998, Deftones were riding high on their second album Around The Fur (my all time favorite Deftones album). By the time their second single “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” dropped, Deftones were fast on their way to begin taking over. On April 20, 1998, they performed “Be Quiet and Drive” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien before heading out on the Vans Warped Tour (back when they still had great lineups). Check out this great performance!
Deftones- Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) on Conan O’Brien 1998:
Deftones have a long history of making quite complete albums. There are a couple that are a little disjointed but, for the most part are rather perfectly sequenced. Their artistry and evolution is something that many bands from their era should have taken a cue from. They’ve managed to stay relevant by pushing themselves as songwriters and performers as well as incorporating other elements into their sound to separate themselves from their peers. On these few title track songs, Deftones, really encapsulated the sound of these albums with these songs.
There are many guitarists out there that have such a signature sound that, when you hear it you know just who is playing. Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter is one of those guitarists. His style is undeniable and it works across many different bands and their material. So, with that in mind, here are a few of the jams Stephen has lent his playing to over the years.
Will Haven- El Sol (from Muerte):
Chimaira- Rizzo (from Pass Out Of Existence):
Linkin Park- By Myslf (from Reanimation):
Non-Phixion- The CIA Is Trying To Kill Me (from The Future Is Now):
Back in the mid 90’s, Sacramento, California had a very artistic music scene. Bands like Far and Deftones were starting to leave their mark not only in their area but everywhere. During this time though, there was another band that would take a slightly different turn from what their friends in Far and Deftones were doing. Instead of taking the melodic plunge, Will Haven opted for more of a dissidence approach with churning riffs and pummeling rhythms. Through the 20 years the band has been together, even with different line ups, one thing that can’t be mistaken is the impact Will Haven has left in heavy music.
Now in 2018, Will Haven are about to release their (final?) album Muerte (via MinusHEAD records). This album is a complete encapsulation of everything that the band has put into their music and albums. The heavy is still heavy only this time, they have added a bit more atmosphere to their sound. In 2001, Will Haven released an album called Carpe Diem that truly cemented the bands place in heavy music circles. Muerte seems like it’s the album that would have followed that one up. Beginning with the smack in the face of “Hewed With The Brand” and “Winds Of Change” you can tell that this album is not going to let up. In fact the unrelenting nature of Muerte carries through with songs like “43,” Unit K,” “The Son,” “Bootstraps,” and “Now In The Ashes.” The songs “No Escape” featuring Mike Schiedt of YOB and “El Sol” which features Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter, really take the album to another level from all their others.
Vocalist Grady Avenell sounds as good if not better than he did at the height of the band way back when. Jeff Irwin (guitar), Adrien Contreras (bass) and Mitch Wheeler (drums) have crafted riffs and rhythms that will draw you in and then attack with a ferocious thunder. If Muerte is Will Haven’s final album, then they really are going out with a bang. The only thing left would be for Deftones to go out on tour and bring Will Haven along (like they did way back when) and let Will Haven destroy the audience. (I’m just putting that out in the aether).
One band that I’ve always thought of as totally underrated is Will Haven. They never fully got their due when they came out. Hailing from Sacramento just like thier friends in Far and Deftones, Will Haven took a more aggressive approach to their music. I truly thought that when their landmark album Carpe Diem was released in 2001, they would have finally got their due but, sadly that didn’t happen. Though that album is widely accepted today as one of the most underrated and influential albums since the turn of the century.
Today Will Haven released the first song from their upcoming album Muerte (out March 23rd… PRE-ORDER HERE). This song entitled “El Sol” is blistering, epic and features Stephen Carpenter from Deftones.
Will Haven- El Sol (featuring Stephen Carpenter):
Will Haven- Winds Of Change:
Upcoming Will Haven Dates:
03/23 Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver (album release show)
05/04 Fullerton, CA – Programme Skate & Sound
05/05 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
05/06 Hollywood, CA – The Viper Room
06/23 Portland OR – Star Theater
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