Deftones Forever

Deftones, May 3, 2011, Sound Academy, Toronto.

There’s nothing like a Deftones show to bring out my inner fanboy. Fifteen years, thousands of listening hours, and 5 or 6 shows have taken none of the lustre off even their earliest material for me. I still get the same kick out of every new release or tour they book as when they were new.

When I ask myself why my love for this band endures when it fizzles out for so many others, the first answer that comes to mind is that their finger has never slipped from the pulse of my fanboy heart. Well that, and THEY’RE FUCKING AWESOME LIVE!!!!

For me, the mark of a great live band comes down to their setlist. Rather than just sticking to the hits, they mine their entire catalogue. Drawing mainly from the Diamond Eyes, White Pony, and Adrenaline discs, the nights set was a smorgasbord of fan favorites and gems, complete with a rousing performance of The Passenger with Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan sharing vocal duties. An added bonus this tour was the addition of film loops being projected onto the backdrop throughout their set. A very nice touch.

What keeps me going to see them more than anything else is the unbridled passion and gusto they inject into every show. With a career spanning almost 20 years now, Chino still sings even the earliest material with the same urgency and barely contained desperation as he did 15 years ago when I first saw them. No small feat after performing songs several thousand times over.

Given the deafening roar that followed every song, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who noticed. I <3 you Deftones.