Deftones KOI NO YOKAN

Though the band emerged on the fringes of n?-metal, one of metal's more unfortunate pushes into the mainstream, Deftones' steady shift toward a more artful, experimental sound has made them one of the more enduring and influential groups to come out of the '90s. In their continued exploration of the intersection of heaviness and harmony, Koi No Yokan finds the band returning with a warm, dreamy sound that feels more like heavy dream pop or shoegaze than light metal. Always finding new ways to use old tools, the driving sounds on the album feel more like they're meant to envelop the listener than enrage them, with a sonic gulf -- created by Chino Moreno's soaring vocals and Stephen Carpenter's shuddering, extended scale riffs -- so large and inviting, it feels like the only option is to dive in and explore its depths. This kind of push and pull between driving and drifting elements makes the album one that's best experienced by simply letting go and drifting wherever its currents take y