Adrenaline

09/12/1995 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Julian Woolsey

Energy. Fire. Explosions. Adrenaline. This album hits you in the head right off with the heavy hit "Bored," like a brick with a slice of lemon wrapped around it. The whole album continues in this way, and it's even more intense when the Deftones lull you into relaxation, dropping to a throbbing heartbeat of a bass-line (such as on "Nosebleed") and some maniacal mumbling or stray guitar echoes--then they let the beast loose again, ripping into your cerebral cortex like aural werewolves. The rhythms are driving and hypnotic, the melodies are compelling and strong, and the vocals are both painful and (dare I say it?) soulful. The simplicity of the classic "7 Words" belies its power. The verse rolls along, dark and heavy, but almost jaunty at the same time, but then launches into the nerve-shredding chorus with screaming ferocity. Somehow the Deftones manage to make metal that sounds fresh and unique, by incorporating elements of grunge ("Bored"), rap ("Engine No. 9"), psychedelia ("Root"), and undercurrents of industrial and punk throughout. Chino Moreno's vocals are fascinatingly unique, going from soothing singing to dark whispering to life-defying screaming and howling. Nearly every song has an amazing bridge with a great riff that keeps the already fabulously constructed verses and choruses fresh every time. What else can I say, this album is fabulous!