It always amuses me when several albums into a career that a band finally decides to do a self titled album. Even more amusing is when a band releases several self titled albums, thus forcing fans to come up with ways to identify them from each other, as is the case with the first two Starflyer 59 albums, which are nicknamed "Silver" and "Gold" after the colour of the covers. That is just an observation as the Deftones really only have one self titled cd. This one. It does, however, come four cds into their career.

The past Deftones albums were solid hard rock albums which paved the way for nu metal. However, most nu metal bands sound far removed from the Deftones' sound. As I read somewhere, "The only bands doing what the Deftones are doing are the blatant Deftones rip-offs." Sounds pretty good to me.

Regardless, that doesn't say anything about this specific cd. First off, "Deftones" features one of the most metal-looking cd covers in a while. A greyscale skull takes up the center space, sneering straight ahead into nothing. Painted behind the skull are some of the most beautiful roses to ever grace a cd cover. They are two toned, some are red and some are blue. The two colours compliment each other well. Inside the booklet the artwork become cluttered and annoying. Thankfully there is no need to open it often.

But it's all about the music, right? Of course. And the Deftones bring the rock. It doesn't vary much from the overall Deftones sound. Fans should love devouring new songs. People who didn't understand past Deftones releases won't get this one, either.

The guitars rumble in the low end most of the time, while the vocals wail and scream above them. Occationally Chino sounds like he's being burned at the stake. Everything chugs along like a finely oiled train through the entire disc. Sure, several songs are subpar. But this is one of those records that I can listen to and just zone out with it.