OK, so up on the chopping block is another rewind release day review and as of this day August 22, 2025 this band’s latest album Private Music officially drops. So the answer the question who is up on the chopping block why it’s Deftones. Now I have not listened to their material since I did their original review back whenever it was (I believe it was one of my first reviews). So how do I feel about them now? Well, let’s take a look………..
Adrenaline- so given when this album came out, it was during the whole Nü Metal era and this very much sounds like a product of that time. I don’t know. I enjoyed it more when I first heard it but this time around I just couldn’t really get into it as much. It does tend to drag a bit, but at the end of the day, it’s actually a pretty good album. Not a bad way to start.
Previous Score: 9/10
New Score: 7/10
Standouts: Nosebleed, Root, Engine No.9
Around The Fur- oh yes, the album that gave us that video with the shark in it. I mean aside from that song and that video this has got to be one of the better albums to come out of the 90s. Not to mention this in my opinion is a classic and I’m sure many others would agree with me. I had a really fun time revisiting this album and I could definitely see myself going back and listening to this one again. This is one of those albums that you forget how good it is.
Previous Score: 10/10
New Score: 10/10
Standouts- Lhabia, Rickets, Lotion
White Pony- so I guess when I first listened to this album in full I actually liked it more back then. This time around not so much. I mean you’ve got a perfect album before and this is what you follow it up with? Now I know this is probably the fan favorite but I just couldn’t get into it this time. I’m really not a fan of the whiny vocals either and the last couple of songs the vocals are so damn cringey and just not good. I have been told that if this album was resequenced that it would be better but I just couldn’t get into this album.
Previous Score: 9/10
New Score: 3/10
Standouts: Elite, Back To School (Mini Maggit)
Deftones- so unlike the previous album I actually enjoyed this one a lot more of this time around. The vocals were not as whiny and it’s kinda like if you take the last album and dial it up a few notches this is the album that you would get. I also feel like this album is probably overlooked in terms of this band’s catalogue.
Previous Score: 4/10
New Score: 8/10
Standouts: Hexagram, When Girls Telephone Boys, Bloody Cape
B-Sides And Rarities- as the name does suggest this is exactly that an album of rare songs and B sides. It also has a couple of live songs and honestly, I feel like some of these songs should’ve been on their respective albums. Now I know there’s another album like this later on, but honestly just stick with this one. It’s kinda all you need in terms of these sort of songs.
Previous Score: 9/10
New Score: 8.5/10
Standouts: Simple Man, Savory, Wax And Wane
Saturday Night Wrist- keep in mind. This is literally the only other time I’ve heard this album. The last time was when I did the original review and I didn’t like it when I first heard it. However, this time around I actually enjoyed this one a lot more. It’s atmospheric it’s almost haunting in a weird sort of way. I don’t know. I can’t really explain it, but I will say that this is another one of those albums where if it’s been a while since you’ve listened to it and listen to it again because it is quite enjoyable.
Previous Score: 3/10
New Score: 8/10
Standouts: Rapture, Rays!Rats!Rats!, Cherry Waves
Diamond Eyes- oh yes, I remember when this album came out. I believe it was around 2010 and I also remember them going out on tour with Alice In Chains and Mastodon. Now listening to this album again I still feel the same way. It’s a very good album and it’s a great continuation from Saturday Night Wrist or even the self titled album.
Previous Score: 9/10
New Score: 9.5/10
Standouts: Caress, Drive, Do You Believe
Koi No Yokan- much like some of these other albums I really didn’t want to like this one, but I just couldn’t. It’s a great album. To some degree it feels like it picks up where Diamond Eyes left off but really it’s its own thing. There are certain songs on this album that just grab you and some of them have really good guitar riffs. I also don’t remember this album being atmospheric like there’s some really moody and kind darker tones on here. It’s really cool. Again another album that is definitely worth revisiting.
Previous Score: 8/10
New Score: 9/10
Standouts: Poltergeist, Leathers, Goon Squad
Gore- oh this album had so much potential. Like there are some cool moments on here, but it’s almost as if there is two different people writing the same album. I don’t know it just feels inconsistent and boring. This was one of those albums that I just cannot wait to end and the only really redeemable thing about it is the song with Jerry Cantrell. Aside from that song and a couple of other things on this album this one I say is skippable.
Previous Score: 2/10
New Score: 1.5/10
Standouts: Phantom Bride
Ohms- I gotta say I was expecting more of this album. Yes the previous album Gore was a huge letdown, and a common trend is usually attended makes a lot of great album and then steps it up on the next one. To a certain degree yes they do step it up here but overall it’s just OK. I’m gonna give this one 7/10.
Standouts: Pompeji, Urantia, Genesis
Private Music- OK so as of this day, August 22, 2025, this album officially drops. Now I will say that is most certainly a step up from Ohms. To me this is probably the album that should’ve come after Gore but it wasn’t and that’s fine because this just makes you appreciate this album even more. It’s got that kind of darker tone that’s reminiscent from previous releases, and I noticed that it’s almost atmospheric in a weird sort of way. I definitely enjoyed this one although I will say part of it do tend to drag, but it’s not that often. Overall, a great new release and I’m gonna go ahead and give this album 8/10.
Standouts: Ecdysis, Locked Club, Milk Of The Madonna
Well, I gotta say I think I actually enjoyed these albums a lot more this time around. I have never seen this band live before but from what I’ve been told they put on a great live show. Could it be? Could I now be a fan of this band? I mean, they are playing the 2025 Aftershock Festival and I wasn’t really planning on sticking around for their set, but I’m thinking maybe I should. I can’t think of a better place to see them for the first time. But we shall see. All kidding aside they have some great albums. They’re not perfect by any means but they are very enjoyable and I really did enjoy them a lot more this time around.
Final Grade: B
Previous Album Rankings:
- Around The Fur
- Adrenaline
- Diamond Eyes
- White Pony
- Koi No Yokan
- B-Sides and Rarities
- Covers
- Deftones
- Saturday Night Wrist
- Gore
New Album Rankings:
- Around The Fur
- Diamond Eyes
- Koi No Yokan
- Deftones
- Saturday Night Wrist
- Private Music
- B-Sides And Rarities
- Adrenaline
- Ohms
- White Pony
- Gore
Sinister Reviews 