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Live Reviews

Deftones and letlive live at Brixton Academy

Deftones
w/letlive.
Brixton Academy, London
20th February 2013

Three Trapped Tigers open up tonight’s proceedings to a fascinated audience. A mesmerising creation of technical beats and soaring synths allures the otherwise timid three-piece to the crowd. Drummer Adam Betts is the centre of attention with his flawless and creative technique. However, Three Trapped Tigers do little to entice movement but they certainly arouse the ear drums.

In terms of stage dynamics, LA’s Letlive are quite the opposite to the static Three Trapped Tigers. Frontman Jason Aalon Butler is clearly engrossed in the music. Amps, drum mats and anything else on or off stage that crosses his path is used as a playground. He leaps and prowls around whilst the band deliver some of Fake History’s most emotive and socially directed songs, including a passionate rendition of ‘Muther’. ‘Casino Columbus’ sees Jason front flip, throw a mic stand and guitarist Jeff Sahyoun destroy his axe. After a frantic set, Brixton Academy are awe struck, not quite sure what just physically and aurally hit them.

If any other band were topping the bill tonight, Letlive would have stolen the show from their grasps. But no such task is possible when the mighty Deftones are headlining. Opener ‘Diamond Eyes’ sets the score, evidently this will be a montage of the band’s greatest hits with ‘Passenger’, ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ and newcomer ‘Swerve City’ all encouraging simultaneous head bangs, mosh pits and choral sing-a-longs. Chants of ‘Chinnnno’ in rest bites epitomise how well loved these metal titans are. Mind-blowingly heavy bass, atmospheric lighting and effortless stage presence all add up to create an undeniable spectacle.

Tonight’s show is something unique with every band on the bill impressing far beyond expectation in their own way… Three Trapped Tigers for their talent, letlive. for destructive suave and the legendary Deftones for again proving themselves to be one of the greatest musical treasures around.

Words: Emma Wallace

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Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Deftones


DEFTONES
‘Koi No Yokan’

Warner Bros. Records

‘Koi No Yokan’ was already tipped as one of this year’s hottest albums, but when ‘Leathers’ and ‘Tempest’ were dropped early as a prelude, anticipation for this record became sky-high.

The hype was justified as in just over 50minutes, Deftones manage to portray beauty in the heaviest fashion whilst maintaing a tender sense of vulnerability.

As always Deftones have offered a record packed full of individual miniature gems, whether it is the storming ‘Swerve City’ or chugging ‘Gauze’. However on first listen ‘Koi No Yokan’ is lacking a masterpiece… Diamond Eyes featured ‘Sex Tape’ and White Pony hosted ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’ yet this record doesn’t have that one heart-wrenching, standout track on its debut play. But give ‘Koi No Yokan’ patience and it starts to shine, it’s a grower and firmly reconfirms Deftones as the championed king of the alt-metal throne. This record in a live environment will be astounding.

Words: Emma Wallace

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Music Music News

New Deftones Album Release Date


Deftones are amazing, and that’s a fact. The influential band have announced they will be back to pummel our ear drums with their 7th studio album this winter. The obscurely titled ‘Koi No Yokan’ will hit the shelves on 12th November 2012 via Reprise Records. Get excited, we already are.

To remind us just how perfect Deftones are, below is ‘Rocket Skates’ taken from last album ‘Diamond Eyes’.