The Sonic Revelation: Deftones’ Highly Anticipated ‘Private Music’

Nearly 40 years into their career, Deftones are arguably more popular than they’ve ever been thanks to a fresh wave of late ’90s/early 2000s nostalgia, a fanbase that seems to get younger by the year and the Sacramento, Ca.-reared hard rock band’s biggest tour ever, which sold out venues such as Kia Forum in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York earlier this year.

On Aug. 22, Deftones will enhance the celebration with the release of private music, their first album in five years. The 11-track effort (Reprise/Warner) was introduced today (July 10) with the single “my mind is a mountain.”

132e5b5031701fa14aec8899a0a87719 Deftones Just Dropped 'Private Music' Details — And Chino Moreno's Revelation About *That* Album Changes Everything
Chino Moreno, the enigmatic voice of Deftones, hints at the profound depth of their new work, “private music.”

Chino Moreno Unlocks the Vault: Behind ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Koi No Yokan’

The genesis of private music saw Deftones reunite with acclaimed producer Nick Raskulinecz, a collaboration that previously bore fruit with their 2010 masterpiece, Diamond Eyes, and its impactful 2012 follow-up, Koi No Yokan. What many fans might not realize is the dramatic backstory behind Diamond Eyes‘ creation, a pivotal album born from unforeseen circumstances. It emerged in the wake of the aborted Eros sessions, a project put on hold after the tragic car accident of bassist Chi Cheng in 2008, who later passed away in 2013.

💡 Key Insight

The creation of “Diamond Eyes” was an “experiment on its own,” quickly recorded after the “Eros” album was abandoned due to tragedy.

“Nick sort of approached us, and we had the opportunity to pretty much start a whole other record,” frontman Chino Moreno told SPIN in 2020. “I didn’t think the record company was gonna [agree], because we’d already spent a record’s [budget]. And then all of a sudden, it’s like, OK, we’re not gonna put this out. Will you give us money for him to make a brand new record? They said yes, and Nick spearheaded that whole thing. We wrote and recorded that record in like two months — seriously. So it was kind of an experiment on its own, and it worked: Diamond Eyes really captured the spirit of what was happening in our lives. For the next record, it was like, well, that worked. Let’s try that again. To me, Koi No Yokan feels like a reprise of Diamond Eyes.”


Chino Moreno, SPIN (2020)

The Enduring Legacy: Why ‘White Pony’ Still Reigns Supreme (and What REALLY Influenced It)

Deftones continue to find new fans thanks to classic albums such as 2000’s White Pony, which includes enduring favorites such as “Change (In the House of Flies),” “Digital Bath” and “Passenger.” Asked in 2020 why he thinks White Pony still resonates so strongly with new and old fans alike, he said, “I think it’s one of our best-produced records — it’s some of Terry’s finest work. The drum sound is awesome. Because we were kind of influenced by a lot of electronic, beat-driven music like DJ Shadow, we really wanted to make a drum-forward album. So, that record has a lot of head nod to it. It’s also very expansive. There’s a lot of soundscape-y stuff, and there’s a heaviness — all those trigger points that Deftones are known for. But I remember when we first put it out, some people didn’t get it right way, like, what is this? Where are the Deftones at? Obviously, there are parts that jump out at you, but overall I think it’s a headphone record — kind of a slow-burner. So, that’s given it life all these years.”

8defffa0b4f6a6162d4ea91faee95765 Deftones Just Dropped 'Private Music' Details — And Chino Moreno's Revelation About *That* Album Changes Everything
The raw power of Deftones live, an experience fans will soon get to witness again on their upcoming tour.

Every Track Revealed: A Glimpse into ‘Private Music’s’ Sonic Landscape

In addition to the highly anticipated new album, fans can look forward to catching Deftones live. The band will be back on the road Aug. 22 in Vancouver and has dates on tap through Sept. 15 in Denver.

Here is the official track list for private music:

  • my mind is a mountain
  • locked club
  • ecdysis
  • infinite source
  • souvenir
  • cXz
  • i think about you all the time
  • milk of the madonna
  • cut hands
  • ~metal dream
  • departing the body