Its with the utmost respect for Deftones and their suffering that I write these thoughts. For context, Eros was shelved during its creation, as tragedy struck. Founding member Chi wound up in a car crash, leaving him comatose. Not realizing the severity of his condition, the group moved forward to write new material during his absence.
Years later, Chi would pass, leaving this unfinished album locked away. That left Eros as a painful memory for the group, something they wished to leave behind them. If its not obvious, the album has leaked. You can find it on various platforms, however the copyright owners are asserting authority, aggressively removing Eros when it pops up.
For fans, this album also means something entirely different. A peek into what could have been, an alternative trajectory for their beloved band. Anyone who's being rational and reasonable about human nature would understand that fans simply cannot resist this curiosity. I just hope the band members understand that as well.
So it's with love and respect that I comment on what Eros feels like. To my ears, it's so undeniably Deftones. A band that seeks to grow and evolve with each album. Moving on from the dazzle of Saturday Night Wrist, Eros feels inherently darker, even gloomy, carving like a knife without leaning on extremity for its raw emotional howling's.
Unlike the low end theory of Diamond Eyes, a monumental pivot by comparison, the group explore texture and rhythm with what mostly sounds like six string guitars. In stride, they hit the usual markers of their identity between pushing boundaries with morose melodic leads atmosphere through stripping back distortion guitars.
Its strongest point of comparison among the Alternative Metal scene is The Smashing Pumpkins. But more often than not the band evoke their own sensations. Chino, supposedly the most unfinished element, has these fantastic spurts of shouted Raps, even in the spirit of a Beastie Boy on Electra. Clearly raw but still charming.
Highlights include Trempest, where we hear a seven string guitar riff and mysterious synth textures flourishing. Diamond is my favorite, again the keys evoke intrigue but best of all, the simple lead guitar melodies evoke echoes of early 90s Doom Metal. After cycling through two verses, it expands, blossoming in mesmerizing fashion.
This has been an utterly fascinating listen. In this form, I can't help but feel Deftones path forward may have been rather different. Its broodier tone finds sensual resolution and musical gratification, yet may have made them less accessible to a broader audience. Either way, Eros holds up their stature as brilliant musicians. RIP Chi <3