LIVE: Deftones

**To say that hard rock outfit Deftones have experienced a resurgence of late would be an understatement. Their last two albums, 2010’s _Diamond Eyes_ and 2012’s _Koi No Yokan_, have achieved critical acclaim, appearing on end-of-year lists across rock publications worldwide. Ahead of their show in Birmingham, the question being asked is the following – how will their more polished, atmospheric sound compare to their rougher, readier, more incendiary older material on the live circuit?**

It’s almost as if they’re out to settle this qualm from the off. The unexpected opener is ‘Diamond Eyes’, a slow-chugging number, which is saved by its huge chorus. ‘Poltergeist’ restores the balance – soaring vocals contrast with an abrasive, hammering guitar tone (characteristic of the band’s sound) – sends the crowd wild.

Not content with the already feverish reception afforded to them, the band then launch into early classics ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ and ‘Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)’, ramping up the energy levels. Demonstrating a maturation in Deftones stage performance, between songs vocalist Chino Moreno attempts light-hearted chatter with individual members of the audience on multiple occasions – brief, but entertaining, the front-man has enough experience to keep his fans engaged.

The middle of the set is peppered with a selection of recent tracks – the likes of ‘CMND/CTRL’ and ‘Rocket Skates’ sound as menacing as they do on Diamond Eyes, meanwhile ‘Rosemary’ builds and flows just as it does on _Koi No Yokan_. An unexpected airing of _White Pony’s_ ‘Passenger’ provides one of the highlights of the night, before _KNY_ highlights ‘Swerve City’ and ‘Tempest’ remind the audience just how relevant the band is in the modern era.

As the show draws to its end, the band relies mostly on older material, with ‘Headup’ opening up some of the most destructive pits of the night, and ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’ providing a singalong moment of epic proportions.

The encore – which has become somewhat of an expected tradition these days – consists of debut album tracks ‘Engine No. 9’ and ‘7 Words’. Both, in equal parts, are ferocious, raw, and vital. Closing the gig on two back-to-back slices of mayhem leaves everyone content. It’s at this point where the only nagging criticism of the night reveals itself – the question posed at the beginning remains only half answered. The confined, amplification-friendly nature of this indoor venue has worked near-flawlessly for Deftones. How some of the louder, harsher songs will work in an open-air environment, as the band takes to the main-stage of Reading & Leeds festivals this August, remains to be seen. Bring on the summer.