DEFTONES // MY MIND IS A MOUNTAIN // SONG REVIEW

I'm usually quite quiet about my love for Deftones, not because I don't think they deserve it - on the contrary, I really don't think their praises are sung enough in the mainstream, especially when their music has been so influential. The California band have been ripping it up since the late 80's, and in their extensive tenure have showed no signs of stopping, continuing to reinvent and remodel themselves however they deemed fit. Now, they return after a short five year interval with a brand new single My Mind is a Mountain as well as a new record Private Music and a world tour - so what's new to enjoy in this fresh era of Deftones?

This track seethes from the second you press play. Full of that signature chunky tone and chuggy riffs, you're returned to the sheer volatility of their earlier more punk adjacent records from their hay day. It grabs you by the shirt collar, and leads you into the verse, wether you like it or not - and you get some brilliant vocals from Chino Moreno. The man can sing, and as he goes through the melodic bulk of the track, as well as the strained extremes of both the pre-chorus and chorus, you realise he's doing this all with ease. His vocals are quite far back in the mix, with the guitar and smashing cymbals on a bit of a higher level, but it actually makes for a more sound driven experience - which I think is what they're looking for. It has so many self referential shades to it, some to Ohms, in terms of it's more experimental vocals and sheer edge, some to Koi No Yokan and Diamond Eyes, but it keeps one foot into some really fresh territory, and it seems like this may be where the rest of this record is pitched. If this is the future of Deftones, then by all means sign me up. If I had any criticisms, it would probably be that it's too short - but what can I do about that? It's a small bite-sized chunk that leaves me wanting more, and we will have to wait and see - but something tells me it might just be something special. (I really hope it is, because I've got a ticket to see them when they come to London in February!)

Rating: 4/5