Diamond Eyes
Encyclopedia
Diamond Eyes is the sixth album by American Alternative metal
band Deftones
, released worldwide on May 4, 2010 through Warner Bros.
and Reprise Records
. An album tentatively titled Eros was originally intended to be their sixth full-length release and follow up to Saturday Night Wrist
(2006), but was not released due to bassist Chi Cheng
entering a coma after a serious car accident that occurred in November 2008. The release of Eros was put on hold in favor of Diamond Eyes in June 2009. Former Quicksand
bass player, Sergio Vega
is featured on the album in substitution for Cheng.
Diamond Eyes was a critical and commercial success; obtaining a normalized score of 78 on review aggregator Metacritic
, while achieving top 20 chartings on the Billboard 200
, German Albums Chart
and many other European charts. It was the band's highest charting album on the Billboard 200 since their album, Deftones
. Diamond Eyes debuted at Number 6, while the previous Saturday Night Wrist
debuted at Number 10.
in early 2007. The band was dissatisfied with the lengthy writing and recording process of Saturday Night Wrist, and wanted to release a quick follow-up record in the same manner as earlier albums released by Deftones. Earlier records such as 1995's Adrenaline
and 1997's Around the Fur
were recorded without the digital audio program Pro Tools
. Instead, they were recorded as just a band "in the room with just our instruments, no other distractions" according to front-man Chino Moreno
. The band recorded and completed their Terry Date
produced album, tentatively titled Eros, in 2008, and was expected to be released in early 2009.
In November 2008, Deftones bassist Chi Cheng
was seriously injured in an automobile accident, leaving him in a coma
and putting the release of Eros on hold. Unsure of if or when Cheng would recover and be able to play in the band again, Deftones started playing various shows and festivals starting in early 2009 with Sergio Vega, former bassist of post-hardcore
band Quicksand
. Vega had previously filled in for Cheng during tours in 1999, and is a close friend of the band. At this point, Deftones were not sure if they wanted to break up or continue writing and performing music.
In June 2009, Deftones decided to indefinitely put the release of Eros on hold and start writing a brand new album with Sergio Vega. The band still hopes to release Eros at some point, but Deftones wanted to wait until Cheng was no longer in a semi-conscious state, and they did not feel that it represented who they were as artists or as people at the time. Deftones wanted to make an optimistic record, as opposed to the dark and angry album they just finished. Diamond Eyes was recorded in two months with producer Nick Raskulinecz
(Foo Fighters
, Velvet Revolver
, Stone Sour
, Alice In Chains
). Deftones avoided using Pro Tools on the album in favor of writing songs together as a band and practicing them "a million times 'til they were perfect" in order to achieve a more raw and "personable" sound.
/Reprise Records
, but was pushed back three weeks to May 18, and later pushed forward to May 4, 2010. The latter release date change was possibly due to the album leaking
onto the internet two months before the release date in March 2010. The first single released off the album, "Rocket Skates
," was available for free download through the band's official website on February 23, 2010. The song had been included in Deftones live performances starting in October 2009, and was released as a limited edition 7" vinyl
single
for international Record Store Day
on April 17, 2010. The first radio single was the title track, "Diamond Eyes
," which was released for airplay on March 30, 2010. The single was also released as a digital download on March 23, 2010. Deftones performed a live webcast of songs from Diamond Eyes and answered fan questions on May 4 in Dallas, Texas. A music video for the track "Sextape" was released on September 3, 2010. The video was directed by Zak Forrest and Chad Liebenguth, also known as team ZFCL, who are also recognized for their work with Foxy Shazam
and Fang Island
.
On October 28, 2010, Deftones released the official video for "You've Seen The Butcher
" filmed by Jodeb Films
.
In August 2011, Deftones released the official music video for "Beauty School".
's car accident, Deftones wanted to create an album with an overall positive and optimistic vibe. Describing the band's state while writing for the album, Chino Moreno
stated, "Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music." The album doesn't feature songs about complaining, hurting, or how "life sucks" – a common lyrical theme Moreno has noticed since the early 90s. Moreno describes the overall theme of the album as a "positive zest for life," and also having "a fantasy vibe" similar to White Pony
. The song lyrics for "Rocket Skates" contain "beautiful yet violent imagery," and was compared to the Deftones song "Knife Prty" from White Pony. Deftones also thought it would be difficult to tour in support of a new album with memories of Cheng attached to it. Commenting on song writing, Moreno stated:
-loving metalheads, it’s in their blood -- but there’s shade and light, control of texture, with the band deepening rather than expanding." Jason Pettigrew of Alternative Press magazine also awarded the album four stars out of five. He wrote, "Unlike their alleged 'peers' (do they really have any?), Deftones learned years ago that a whisper can be more terrifying than a scream and power isn't always about BPMs and downstrokes per minute." He also added that Diamond Eyes "belongs in a pantheon of amazing albums born from tragedy." BBC
writer Mike Diver was also impressed and opined that the album, "knocks every pretender to the band's throne into the middle of next week." He praised the band for playing to their strengths and summarized by stating, "Eros is reportedly their excursion into weirdness, while this is a statement of consolidation, a neatly segued set that finds Deftones playing to their well-established strengths."
Joshua Khan, writing for BLARE magazine
, also awarded the album four stars out of five in his review. He wrote, "Tired of the same old restless metal scenes eating up the airwaves? Then grab your $20 iPod
headphones and devour the sixth studio release from the California alternative metal quintet. Deftones give birth to a refined sound that makes creations like 'Prince' and '976-Evil' enslaving." The Skinny's Mark Shukla likewise gave a four-star rating, as he explained, "The first four tracks set a blistering pace as churning riffs transition relentlessly into fret-burning breakdowns; all the while Chino Moreno deploying his wounded croon and lacerating howl with an intensity that remains impressively undiminished." Sputnikmusic
staff writer, Nick Greer, gave an unequivocally positive review. He awarded a "classic" five out of five score and stated the album is "better than White Pony
". He described the album's sound as, "intense and visceral, but introspective and sensitive in ways Deftones have never been before", before finally adding, "I can honestly say it's Deftones' best album to date."
Scott Gordon of The A.V. Club
states that while there are moments on the album that Deftones “sound a bit like a band on auto-pilot,” many of the other tracks on the album "stomp such limp moments with pleasingly crude riffs that claw and scrape through the verses, then release Chino Moreno’s voice into glimmering, menacing choruses."
Store.
The album has been named the best album of 2010 by Kerrang!, #2 in Rock Sounds 'Top 75 albums of the year' and #3 in Metal Hammer's top 50 albums of the year.
making it the fourth consecutive Deftones' album to debut within the Top 10 on the Billboard 200.
Bonus tracks
Online pre-order
iTunes deluxe edition
Deftones
Art and design
Production and recording
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band Deftones
Deftones
Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, founded in 1988. The band consists of Chino Moreno , Stephen Carpenter , Chi Cheng , Frank Delgado , and Abe Cunningham . Currently Sergio Vega is standing in on bass while Cheng recovers from a car accident...
, released worldwide on May 4, 2010 through Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
and Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
. An album tentatively titled Eros was originally intended to be their sixth full-length release and follow up to Saturday Night Wrist
Saturday Night Wrist
Saturday Night Wrist is the fifth studio album by American metal band Deftones. It was released on Maverick Records on October 31, 2006. Despite early contributions that were later scrapped, Saturday Night Wrist marks the departure of mainstay Deftones producer Terry Date.The band's fifth album...
(2006), but was not released due to bassist Chi Cheng
Chi Cheng (musician)
Chi Cheng, is a Chinese American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American band Deftones.-Personal life:...
entering a coma after a serious car accident that occurred in November 2008. The release of Eros was put on hold in favor of Diamond Eyes in June 2009. Former Quicksand
Quicksand (band)
Quicksand was an American post-hardcore band from New York City founded in 1990 by singer/songwriter Walter Schreifels. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major label albums, Slip and Manic Compression...
bass player, Sergio Vega
Sergio Vega (bassist)
Sergio Vega is an American musician. He is the former bassist of post-hardcore band Quicksand, which originated in New York City in 1990. In 1995, Quicksand disbanded, although they reunited again in 1997 to tour with Deftones...
is featured on the album in substitution for Cheng.
Diamond Eyes was a critical and commercial success; obtaining a normalized score of 78 on review aggregator Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, while achieving top 20 chartings on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, German Albums Chart
Media Control Charts
The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
and many other European charts. It was the band's highest charting album on the Billboard 200 since their album, Deftones
Deftones (album)
Deftones was well received by critics earning an aggregate rating of 74 on Metacritic. The music website Sputnikmusic gave it a perfect score and praised the band for have returned to their heavy sound without leaving behind their experimental side, lauding also Moreno's abstract lyrics and the...
. Diamond Eyes debuted at Number 6, while the previous Saturday Night Wrist
Saturday Night Wrist
Saturday Night Wrist is the fifth studio album by American metal band Deftones. It was released on Maverick Records on October 31, 2006. Despite early contributions that were later scrapped, Saturday Night Wrist marks the departure of mainstay Deftones producer Terry Date.The band's fifth album...
debuted at Number 10.
Background
Deftones started writing for their follow-up to 2006's Saturday Night WristSaturday Night Wrist
Saturday Night Wrist is the fifth studio album by American metal band Deftones. It was released on Maverick Records on October 31, 2006. Despite early contributions that were later scrapped, Saturday Night Wrist marks the departure of mainstay Deftones producer Terry Date.The band's fifth album...
in early 2007. The band was dissatisfied with the lengthy writing and recording process of Saturday Night Wrist, and wanted to release a quick follow-up record in the same manner as earlier albums released by Deftones. Earlier records such as 1995's Adrenaline
Adrenaline (album)
-Personnel:Deftones*Chino Moreno – vocals*Stephen Carpenter – guitars*Chi Cheng – bass guitar, backing vocals*Abe Cunningham – drumsProduction*Kim Biggs – art direction*Victor Bracke – cover photo...
and 1997's Around the Fur
Around the Fur
-Band members:*Stephen Carpenter – guitar*Chi Cheng – bass guitar, backing vocals*Abe Cunningham – drums*Chino Moreno – vocals-Additional personnel:...
were recorded without the digital audio program Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
. Instead, they were recorded as just a band "in the room with just our instruments, no other distractions" according to front-man Chino Moreno
Chino Moreno
Chino Moreno is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer and contributing guitarist of Deftones. He is also a member of the side-project bands Team Sleep and Crosses....
. The band recorded and completed their Terry Date
Terry Date
Terry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
produced album, tentatively titled Eros, in 2008, and was expected to be released in early 2009.
In November 2008, Deftones bassist Chi Cheng
Chi Cheng (musician)
Chi Cheng, is a Chinese American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American band Deftones.-Personal life:...
was seriously injured in an automobile accident, leaving him in a coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
and putting the release of Eros on hold. Unsure of if or when Cheng would recover and be able to play in the band again, Deftones started playing various shows and festivals starting in early 2009 with Sergio Vega, former bassist of post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band Quicksand
Quicksand (band)
Quicksand was an American post-hardcore band from New York City founded in 1990 by singer/songwriter Walter Schreifels. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major label albums, Slip and Manic Compression...
. Vega had previously filled in for Cheng during tours in 1999, and is a close friend of the band. At this point, Deftones were not sure if they wanted to break up or continue writing and performing music.
In June 2009, Deftones decided to indefinitely put the release of Eros on hold and start writing a brand new album with Sergio Vega. The band still hopes to release Eros at some point, but Deftones wanted to wait until Cheng was no longer in a semi-conscious state, and they did not feel that it represented who they were as artists or as people at the time. Deftones wanted to make an optimistic record, as opposed to the dark and angry album they just finished. Diamond Eyes was recorded in two months with producer Nick Raskulinecz
Nick Raskulinecz
Nick Raskulinecz is a Grammy-winning American record producer. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee.-Production career:Raskulinecz is from the Bearden area of Knoxville, Tennessee. He first produced and recorded bands in Knoxville on a 8-track recorder that his grandfather bought for him...
(Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
, Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
, Stone Sour
Stone Sour
Stone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor , Jim Root , Josh Rand, , Shawn Economaki and Roy Mayorga . Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006...
, Alice In Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
). Deftones avoided using Pro Tools on the album in favor of writing songs together as a band and practicing them "a million times 'til they were perfect" in order to achieve a more raw and "personable" sound.
Release
Diamond Eyes was originally scheduled to be released on April 27 through Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
/Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
, but was pushed back three weeks to May 18, and later pushed forward to May 4, 2010. The latter release date change was possibly due to the album leaking
Internet leak
An Internet leak occurs when a party's confidential information is released to the public on the Internet. Various types of information and data can be, and have been, "leaked" to the Internet, the most common being personal information, computer software and source code, and artistic works such...
onto the internet two months before the release date in March 2010. The first single released off the album, "Rocket Skates
Rocket Skates
"Rocket Skates" is a song by the American alternative metal band Deftones. It is the first single released from Deftones' sixth studio-album Diamond Eyes, and twelfth single overall. It is also the first single released without bassist Chi Cheng, who was in a coma during the time of recording...
," was available for free download through the band's official website on February 23, 2010. The song had been included in Deftones live performances starting in October 2009, and was released as a limited edition 7" vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
for international Record Store Day
Record Store Day
Record Store Day is an internationally celebrated day observed the third Saturday of April each year. Its purpose, as conceived by independent record store employee Chris Brown, is to celebrate the art of music...
on April 17, 2010. The first radio single was the title track, "Diamond Eyes
Diamond Eyes (song)
"Diamond Eyes" is a song by American alternative metal band Deftones. It is the second single and title track released from Deftones' sixth studio album Diamond Eyes, and their thirteenth single overall. It is the second single recorded without bassist Chi Cheng, due to a coma induced by an...
," which was released for airplay on March 30, 2010. The single was also released as a digital download on March 23, 2010. Deftones performed a live webcast of songs from Diamond Eyes and answered fan questions on May 4 in Dallas, Texas. A music video for the track "Sextape" was released on September 3, 2010. The video was directed by Zak Forrest and Chad Liebenguth, also known as team ZFCL, who are also recognized for their work with Foxy Shazam
Foxy Shazam
Foxy Shazam is an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 2004. The band is composed of lead vocalist Eric Sean Nally, guitarist Loren Turner, pianist Sky White, and bass player Daisy. Later, trumpeter and back-up vocalist Alex Nauth joined, and Aaron McVeigh became the band's permanent...
and Fang Island
Fang Island
Fang Island is an American indie rock band formed in Providence, Rhode Island, and based in Brooklyn, New York. The group consists of guitarists Jason Bartell, Chris Georges and Nicholas Andrew Sadler, bassist Michael Jacober, and drummer Marc St. Sauveur...
.
On October 28, 2010, Deftones released the official video for "You've Seen The Butcher
You've Seen the Butcher
"You've Seen the Butcher" is the fourth official single by Sacramento, California based alternative metal band, Deftones, from their sixth studio album Diamond Eyes. The song is unique among modern rock singles for its use of an unusual time signature...
" filmed by Jodeb Films
Jonathan Desbiens
Jonathan Desbiens, or Jodeb, is a Canadian director from Shawinigan-Sud, Quebec known for his work with Deftones , Underoath , The New Cities and David Usher .-References:...
.
In August 2011, Deftones released the official music video for "Beauty School".
Lyrics and themes
After dealing with the tragedy surrounding Chi ChengChi Cheng (musician)
Chi Cheng, is a Chinese American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American band Deftones.-Personal life:...
's car accident, Deftones wanted to create an album with an overall positive and optimistic vibe. Describing the band's state while writing for the album, Chino Moreno
Chino Moreno
Chino Moreno is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer and contributing guitarist of Deftones. He is also a member of the side-project bands Team Sleep and Crosses....
stated, "Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music." The album doesn't feature songs about complaining, hurting, or how "life sucks" – a common lyrical theme Moreno has noticed since the early 90s. Moreno describes the overall theme of the album as a "positive zest for life," and also having "a fantasy vibe" similar to White Pony
White Pony
White Pony is the third studio album by American alternative metal band Deftones. Released in 2000, it marks a significant growth in the band's sound, incorporating New Wave and shoegaze influences with the alternative metal edge the group had become known for...
. The song lyrics for "Rocket Skates" contain "beautiful yet violent imagery," and was compared to the Deftones song "Knife Prty" from White Pony. Deftones also thought it would be difficult to tour in support of a new album with memories of Cheng attached to it. Commenting on song writing, Moreno stated:
Critical reception
Initial reaction to the album from music critics has been highly favorable. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave the album a four out of five star rating and wrote, "Naturally, there is quite a bit of roiling darkness here -- they’re CureThe Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
-loving metalheads, it’s in their blood -- but there’s shade and light, control of texture, with the band deepening rather than expanding." Jason Pettigrew of Alternative Press magazine also awarded the album four stars out of five. He wrote, "Unlike their alleged 'peers' (do they really have any?), Deftones learned years ago that a whisper can be more terrifying than a scream and power isn't always about BPMs and downstrokes per minute." He also added that Diamond Eyes "belongs in a pantheon of amazing albums born from tragedy." BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
writer Mike Diver was also impressed and opined that the album, "knocks every pretender to the band's throne into the middle of next week." He praised the band for playing to their strengths and summarized by stating, "Eros is reportedly their excursion into weirdness, while this is a statement of consolidation, a neatly segued set that finds Deftones playing to their well-established strengths."
Joshua Khan, writing for BLARE magazine
BLARE Magazine
BLARE Magazine, usually known simply as BLARE, is a Toronto-based daily Internet publication devoted to artist interviews, music commentary and supporting unsigned/emerging musicians from Canada, the United States and other countries...
, also awarded the album four stars out of five in his review. He wrote, "Tired of the same old restless metal scenes eating up the airwaves? Then grab your $20 iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
headphones and devour the sixth studio release from the California alternative metal quintet. Deftones give birth to a refined sound that makes creations like 'Prince' and '976-Evil' enslaving." The Skinny's Mark Shukla likewise gave a four-star rating, as he explained, "The first four tracks set a blistering pace as churning riffs transition relentlessly into fret-burning breakdowns; all the while Chino Moreno deploying his wounded croon and lacerating howl with an intensity that remains impressively undiminished." Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic, or simply Sputnik, is a music website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites...
staff writer, Nick Greer, gave an unequivocally positive review. He awarded a "classic" five out of five score and stated the album is "better than White Pony
White Pony
White Pony is the third studio album by American alternative metal band Deftones. Released in 2000, it marks a significant growth in the band's sound, incorporating New Wave and shoegaze influences with the alternative metal edge the group had become known for...
". He described the album's sound as, "intense and visceral, but introspective and sensitive in ways Deftones have never been before", before finally adding, "I can honestly say it's Deftones' best album to date."
Scott Gordon of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
states that while there are moments on the album that Deftones “sound a bit like a band on auto-pilot,” many of the other tracks on the album "stomp such limp moments with pleasingly crude riffs that claw and scrape through the verses, then release Chino Moreno’s voice into glimmering, menacing choruses."
Album of the year lists
Diamond Eyes was named "Rock Album of the Year" by the iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Store.
The album has been named the best album of 2010 by Kerrang!, #2 in Rock Sounds 'Top 75 albums of the year' and #3 in Metal Hammer's top 50 albums of the year.
Charts and sales
Diamond Eyes was expected to sell between 55,000 and 60,000 records in the U.S. during its first week, based on day one sales, according to Hits Daily Double. The album sold 62,000 copies in the U.S. and debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
making it the fourth consecutive Deftones' album to debut within the Top 10 on the Billboard 200.
Track listing
All songs written by Deftones.- "Diamond EyesDiamond Eyes (song)"Diamond Eyes" is a song by American alternative metal band Deftones. It is the second single and title track released from Deftones' sixth studio album Diamond Eyes, and their thirteenth single overall. It is the second single recorded without bassist Chi Cheng, due to a coma induced by an...
" – 3:08 - "Royal" – 3:32
- "CMND/CTRL" – 2:25
- "You've Seen the ButcherYou've Seen the Butcher"You've Seen the Butcher" is the fourth official single by Sacramento, California based alternative metal band, Deftones, from their sixth studio album Diamond Eyes. The song is unique among modern rock singles for its use of an unusual time signature...
" – 3:31 - "Beauty School" – 4:47
- "Prince" – 3:36
- "Rocket SkatesRocket Skates"Rocket Skates" is a song by the American alternative metal band Deftones. It is the first single released from Deftones' sixth studio-album Diamond Eyes, and twelfth single overall. It is also the first single released without bassist Chi Cheng, who was in a coma during the time of recording...
" – 4:14 - "SextapeSextape (song)"Sextape" is a single by the American alternative metal band Deftones and third single from their sixth studio album Diamond Eyes. Despite its more soft/mainstream sound, the single has failed to chart.-Release:...
" – 4:01 - "Risk" – 3:38
- "976–EVIL" – 4:32
- "This Place Is Death" – 3:48
Bonus tracks
Online pre-order
- "Rocket Skates" (M83M83 (band)M83 is a musical act by French musician Anthony Gonzalez. It is named after a spiral galaxy, Messier 83. The band was founded in 2001 by Gonzalez and former member Nicolas Fromageau in Antibes, France...
remixRemixA remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
) – 5:45
iTunes deluxe edition
- "Do You Believe" (The CardigansThe CardigansThe Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured...
cover) – 3:27 - "GhostsGhosts (Japan song)"Ghosts" was a single by the British band Japan from the 1981 album Tin Drum. It reached number five in the UK Singles Chart in 1982. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later....
" (JapanJapan (band)Japan were a British New Wave group, formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement .- History :The band began as a group of friends...
cover) – 4:27 - "Caress" (Drive Like JehuDrive Like JehuDrive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and...
cover) – 3:33
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
Certification | Sales/ shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian (ARIA) Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
22 | - | |
| Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
13 | - | |
| Dutch Album Chart | 55 | - | |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
8 | - | |
| French Albums Chart | 23 | - | |
| New Zealand Top 40 Albums Chart New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
8 | - | |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 25 | - | |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
6 | - | 62,000 |
| UK Album Chart | 26 | - |
Personnel
Diamond Eyes personnel according to CD liner notes.Deftones
- Stephen CarpenterStephen CarpenterStephen Carpenter is an American musician known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the alternative metal band Deftones. His guitar technique makes use of both ringing open strings and dissonant chord voicings, as well as stock power chords in polyrhythms...
– guitarsElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Abe CunninghamAbe CunninghamAbe Cunningham, , is an American musician, he is the drummer of the alternative metal band Deftones. He is known for his use of ghost notes and other technical drumming techniques.-Biography:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Frank Delgado – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, samplesSampler (musical instrument)A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
, turntables - Chino MorenoChino MorenoChino Moreno is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer and contributing guitarist of Deftones. He is also a member of the side-project bands Team Sleep and Crosses....
– vocals, guitars - Sergio VegaSergio Vega (bassist)Sergio Vega is an American musician. He is the former bassist of post-hardcore band Quicksand, which originated in New York City in 1990. In 1995, Quicksand disbanded, although they reunited again in 1997 to tour with Deftones...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Art and design
- Frank Maddocks – creative direction and design
- John Ross – owl photos
- 13th Witness – band photo
Production and recording
- Keith Armstrong – assisted mixingAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- David Benveniste – A&RA&RArtists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
- Paul Figueroa – recording, engineering
- Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
– masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced... - Nik Karpen – assisted mixing
- Chris Lord-AlgeChris Lord-AlgeChris Lord-Alge is a mixer who has worked on various albums. He is the brother of Tom Lord-Alge, another audio engineer. Chris Lord-Alge is known for his extreme use of dynamic range compression in both hardware and software plug-in versions....
– mixing - Nick RaskulineczNick RaskulineczNick Raskulinecz is a Grammy-winning American record producer. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee.-Production career:Raskulinecz is from the Bearden area of Knoxville, Tennessee. He first produced and recorded bands in Knoxville on a 8-track recorder that his grandfather bought for him...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, mixing - Andrew Schubert – additional engineering
- Brad Townsend – additional engineering
- Tom Whalley – executive producerMusic executiveA music executive or record executive is person within a record label who works in senior management, making executive decisions over the label's artists...
- Kevin Willianson – A&R for Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...