The Deftones – White Pony

Artist: The Deftones

Title: White Pony

Label: Maverick

Rating: 9/10

Since the release of Around The Fur in 1997, we have seen a lot of hardcore metal bands trying to copy the Deftones’ signature style of slamming riffs and swinging emotional vocals. Why settle for the imitation when the White Pony has finally arrived? Albums Adrenaline and Around The Fur have made a statement and a name for the band in music circles; now White Pony has all the fixings to turn the band into a household name. Many have labeled the Deftones another angry band, but these labels are to be proven wrong. You won’t find a band on the planet that matches the musical and emotional intensity the Deftones fire out of the amplifiers. Frontman Chino Moreno continues to develop into a modern day heavy metal Morrissey as his lyrics are truthful and aggressively beautiful. Each song easily attempts to make a connection to the listener. Throughout this record, the riffs and distortion set the stage while Chino fills in the blanks with his pen.

If you like the first single from White Pony, “Change (In The House Of Flies)”, you should buy the record. It’s a wise release because the single more or less shows the flow and strong consistency of the entire record. Opening tracks “Feiticeira” and “Digital Bath” don’t have the massive riffage of “Elite” but they do conquer the melodic heavy groove the band wishes to capture on this record.

Songs “Knife Party” and “Passenger” are going to become instant classics to go along with staple favorites “Own My Summer” and “Seven Words”. Working with producer Terry Date for the third time seems to be a charm as he pushes the band’s creativity to a new level. “Passenger” pairs up Chino with another heavy-metal icon, Maynard of Tool, to sing the horror story of an innocent car ride that has gone terribly wrong. The Chino highlight reel continues as he whispers and wails on “Knife Party” and “Korea”, and unveils his soft side with “Teenager”. One reason for the band’s success is their ability to make that special connection between band and listener. “Teenager” is written about that weird period in adolescence where rejection and isolation is the common cry of many young people.

The timing of White Pony is perfect when radio and MTV have played Staind, Korn, and Limp Bizkit into the ground. Be prepared to listen to a record that stands out all on its own.

+larry sarzyniak