Ohms (album)

Deftones released their eighth studio album Gore on April 8, 2016, via Warner Bros. Records.{{cite news |title=Deftones Confirm Gore Release Date And Tracklisting |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/deftones-confirm-gore-release-date-and-tracklisting/ |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=Kerrang! |date=February 5, 2016}} As part of the album promotion, the band embarked on an extensive US tour in the summer of 2016, with support from Refused and Spotlights.{{cite news |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=Spotlights opening Deftones/Refused tour |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/spotlights-opening-deftonesrefused-tour/ |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=BrooklynVegan |date=June 3, 2016}} The following summer, they performed a coheadlining North American tour with Rise Against, featuring support from Thrice.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Alex |title=Deftones announce 2017 summer tour with Rise Against |url=https://consequence.net/2017/02/deftones-announce-2017-summer-tour-with-rise-against/ |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=February 6, 2017}} In 2018, Deftones hosted the first annual Dia de los Deftones festival at Petco Park, featuring performances from artists like Mike Shinoda, Rocket from the Crypt, and Doja Cat.{{cite news |last1=Wicks |first1=Amanda |title=Deftones Announce New Festival Dia De Los Deftones |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/deftones-announce-new-festival-dia-de-los-deftones/ |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=Pitchfork |date=July 16, 2018}}

In a 2017 interview with NME, vocalist Chino Moreno said that Deftones had "talked about getting together sooner [rather] than later" on a new album.{{cite news |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=Deftones' Chino Moreno discusses the band's legacy, future and next album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/deftones-chino-moreno-discusses-bands-legacy-future-next-album-2076095 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=NME |date=May 22, 2017}} On March 28, 2018, the Deftones Instagram account shared images of the band at a recording studio, one of which was captioned "Someone say jam?!".{{cite news |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=It looks like Deftones have started work on their next album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/deftones-started-work-next-album-2275104 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=NME |date=March 28, 2018}} That May, Moreno told Rock.com.AR that the band had "six or seven new songs, which are still mutating".{{cite news |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=Deftones give update on 'powerful' sounding new album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/deftones-give-update-powerful-sounding-new-album-2315251 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=NME |date=May 15, 2018}} Deftones provided another update on the album in April 2020, with drummer Abe Cunningham saying in an Instagram video that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "it's been a bit difficult to get everyone in the same room", but that they were in the process of mixing the new album, and were aiming for a late 2020 release date.{{cite news |title=Deftones Are Still Mixing New Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deftones-are-still-mixing-new-album/ |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=April 15, 2020}} Deftones worked with producer Terry Date on Ohms, their first collaboration since the unreleased Eros album in 2008.{{cite news |title=Chino Moreno On Upcoming Deftones Album: 'Our Main Goal Was To Make Sure That Everybody In The Band Was Involved' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/chino-moreno-on-upcoming-deftones-album-our-main-goal-was-to-make-sure-that-everybody-in-the-band-was-involved/ |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 4, 2020}} Recording took place at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Trainwreck Studios in Seattle.{{cite news |title=Deftones announce new album 'Ohms' |url=https://diymag.com/2020/08/21/deftones-new-album-ohms-listen-title-track |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=DIY |date=August 21, 2020}}

Musically, Ohms is widely described as a return to the band's core alternative metal style.{{Cite web |last=Grace |first=Paul |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Deftones: Ohms – album review |url=https://louderthanwar.com/deftones-ohms-album-review/ |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Louder Than War}}{{Cite web|last=Sievers|first=Alex|date=February 2, 2021 |title=Deftones – Ohms|url=https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/1109538/deftones-ohms/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Kill Your Stereo}} The album was also described as shoegaze and post-rock. Classic Rock magazine added a different assessment, calling the album "dream pop with a metallic edge".{{Cite web |last=Everley |first=Dave |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Deftones' sonic adventures flip between bliss and fury on Ohms |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/deftones-sonic-adventures-flip-between-bliss-and-fury-on-ohms |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Classic Rock}} It is the first Deftones album since their eponymous 2003 album to be produced by Terry Date, although the band had worked with him during the sessions of the unreleased album Eros in 2008.{{cite web |last1=Kaufman |first1=Spencer |title=New Deftones Album Produced by Terry Date (White Pony), Currently Being Mixed for 2020 Release |url=https://consequence.net/2020/02/new-deftones-album-terry-date-producer/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=August 27, 2020 |date=February 25, 2020}} It is also their first album in which Stephen Carpenter utilizes a nine-string guitar.{{cite web |last1=Astley-Brown |first1=Michael |title=Stephen Carpenter debuts ESP 9-string in video for new Deftones single Ohms |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/stephen-carpenter-debuts-esp-9-string-in-video-for-new-deftones-single-ohms |website=Guitar World |access-date=August 27, 2020 |date=August 21, 2020}}

The cover art was designed by Frank Maddocks, who has worked with Deftones on each of their albums since White Pony. There are a total of 12,995 dots on the cover art.{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2020 |title=You Can Adopt a Dot on the Cover Art of Deftones' New Album Ohms |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/you-can-adopt-a-dot-on-the-cover-of-deftones-new-album-ohms/ |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Kerrang!}} Many fans believed that the design pays tribute to the band's original bassist Chi Cheng, who died in 2013, as the eyes that appear on the cover art line up closely with a photo of him. Band drummer Abe Cunningham stated in an interview that this was merely a coincidence, however. He added that the cover art idea reminded him of the 1980s, specifically the music video for Prince's 1984 song "When Doves Cry".{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Deftones Drummer Picks Favorite Song On New Album, Ohms, and Explains The Artwork |url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/deftones-drummer-picks-favorite-song-on-new-album-ohms-and-explains-the-artwork |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Metal Injection}} Shortly before the album's release, Deftones launched the "Adopt a Dot" campaign, allowing for people to purchase one of the dots on the artwork as their own. A photo of the purchaser would then appear as the dot they purchased and be a part of the "Ohms Adopt a Dot digital experience" viewable online. All of the proceeds from the campaign were given to both the UC Davis Children's Hospital and Crew Nation relief fund.

The band began teasing the album's release with a week-long digital campaign in August 2020. Deftones released cryptic social media posts, their official website and animations through Spotify's Canvas feature that when solved revealed the word "ohms" and longitudinal coordinates for a billboard in Los Angeles teasing the album artwork.{{cite web| last = Trapp| first = Philip| title = Deftones Continue Online Tease With Lyrics From Their Past Albums| work = Loudwire| date = August 18, 2020| url = https://loudwire.com/deftones-new-album-tease-song-lyrics/| access-date = August 22, 2020}}{{cite web| last = Pasbani| first = Robert| title = Deftones New Album Release Date Confirmed By LA Billboard| work = Metal Injection| date = August 19, 2020| url = https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/deftones-new-album-release-date-confirmed-by-la-billboard| access-date = August 22, 2020}} The campaign concluded with a formal announcement for Ohms and a music video for the album's lead single, "Ohms". The music video for "Ohms" was directed by Rafatoon and featured what Rolling Stone described as, "band performance video interspersed with scenes from a dystopian world, mirroring the musically and lyrically heavy song sentiments." At the time of release, vocalist Chino Moreno described "Ohms" as a "a good scope of where this record's at,"{{cite web| last = Trendell| first = Andrew| title = Deftones share new powerful single 'Ohms', as Chino Moreno tells us what it's all about| work = NME| date = August 21, 2020| url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/deftones-share-new-single-ohms-lyrics-inspiration-chino-moreno-2734234| access-date = September 16, 2020}} though in a separate interview producer Terry Date didn't feel like the song was a good choice for the album's lead promotional track.{{cite web| last = Church| first = B.| title = Of Metal and Immortality. The Terry Date Interview.| work = Everything Recording| date = 2020| url = https://everythingrecording.com/of-metal-and-immortality/| access-date = September 16, 2020}}

Deftones were originally scheduled to tour North America in support of Ohms with Gojira and Poppy in July to September 2020.{{cite web| author = Revolver Staff| title = Deftones Announce North American Tour With Gojira and Poppy| work = Revolver| date = February 11, 2020| url = https://www.revolvermag.com/music/deftones-announce-north-american-tour-gojira-and-poppy| access-date = August 22, 2020}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was postponed until 2021.{{cite web| title = Deftones, Gojira And Poppy Postpone Summer Tour To 2021| work = Kerrang!| date = May 20, 2020| url = https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/deftones-gojira-and-poppy-postpone-summer-tour-to-2021/| access-date = August 22, 2020}}

Belching Beaver released a limited edition pale ale beer named after the album in 2020.

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 8.6/10{{cite web|url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/12589/Deftones-Ohms.aspx|title=Ohms by Deftones reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=October 24, 2020}}

| MC = 87/100{{Cite web |title=Critic Reviews for Ohms by Deftones |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/ohms/deftones/critic-reviews |access-date=October 24, 2020 |website=Metacritic}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Neil Z. |title=Ohms - Deftones |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ohms-mw0003419200 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=AllMusic}}

| rev2 = Consequence of Sound

| rev2score = A−{{Cite web |last=Schafer |first=Joseph |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Deftones Embrace Their Heavy Roots on the Commanding Ohms: Review |url=https://consequence.net/2020/09/deftones-ohms-album-review/ |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Consequence of Sound}}

| rev3 = DIY

| rev3score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Tipple |first=Ben |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Deftones - Ohms |url=https://diymag.com/2020/09/24/deftones-ohms-album-review |access-date=September 27, 2020 |website=DIY}}

| rev4 = Exclaim!

| rev4score = 9/10{{cite web |last1=Wallis |first1=Adam |title=Deftones Return to Their Roots on Pummelling, Explosive 'Ohms' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/deftones_ohms_album_review |website=Exclaim! |access-date=September 30, 2020 |date=September 25, 2020}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |last=Van Nguyen |first=Dean |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Deftones: Ohms review – fighting time and tide with undimmed ferocity |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/25/deftones-ohms-review |access-date=September 27, 2020 |website=The Guardian}}

| rev6 = The Independent

| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Album reviews: Idles – Ultra Mono, and Deftones – Ohms |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/idles-review-ultra-mono-stream-deftones-ohms-lyrics-b574400.html |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=The Independent}}

| rev7 = Kerrang!

| rev7score = 4/5{{cite web |last1=McLaughlin |first1=David |title=Album Review: Deftones – Ohms |url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-deftones-ohms/ |website=Kerrang! |date=23 September 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020}}

| rev8 = NME

| rev8score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{Cite web |last=McMahon |first=James |date=September 22, 2020 |title=Deftones – 'Ohms' review: filthy metal anthems packing serious emotional clout |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/deftones-ohms-review-2758739 |access-date=September 23, 2020 |website=NME}}

| rev9 = Pitchfork

| rev9score = 7.6/10{{Cite web |last=Cush |first=Andy |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Deftones: Ohms Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/deftones-ohms/ |access-date=October 1, 2020 |website=Pitchfork}}

| rev10 = Sputnikmusic

| rev10score = 5/5{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Review: Deftones - Ohms |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/82095/Deftones-Ohms/ |access-date=September 27, 2020 |website=Sputnikmusic |author=SowingSeason}}

}}

Ohms received critical acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 87, based on 21 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". AllMusic critic Neil Z. Yeung thought that Deftones "take their signature beauty-meets-brutality assault, searching for balance across a tightly focused ten tracks." Yeung further stated: "As a unit, they haven't sounded this refreshed in years." Consequence of Sound's Joseph Schafer described Ohms as "their hardest-hitting effort in years" and "a record that hints at a purified blend of their contrasting influences in its finest moments." Ben Tipple of DIY praised Date's production work and stated: "If any of Deftones’ previous records are guilty of lacking focus (you decide), ‘Ohms‘ is certainly safe from future vitriol."

Describing Ohms as "truly and honestly a breath of fresh air," Exclaim! critic Adam Wallis thought that the record was "just as unique and innovative as each album before it." The Independent{{'}}s Roisin O'Connor regarded the album as "an intriguing addition to the band’s canon," while David McLaughlin from Kerrang! likened it to a "greatest hits [record] from a parallel plane of existence, yet dense enough to demand deeper exploration." Writing for NME, James McMahon described Ohms as "heavy stuff, both sonically and in emotional clout." Andy Crump of Paste regarded the album as "an engrossing refinement of what they’ve become over years of risk-taking and experimentation."{{cite web |last1=Crump |first1=Andy |title=Deftones Age Gracefully On Ohms |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/deftones/ohms-album-review/ |website=Paste |access-date=October 3, 2020 |date=October 1, 2020}} Sputnikmusic staff critic SowingSeason thought that the record "surpasses Deftones’ other iconic releases is in its dense, unpredictable layering and sheer intensity." He further stated: "There aren’t many traits present on Ohms that we’ve never heard from the band before,... but they’ve woven all these glimpses of previous albums together and improved upon them in nearly every facet."

In a more mixed review, The Guardian{{'}}s Dean Van Nguyen wrote that the album "lacks the lateral thinking that distinguished the band’s masterpiece, White Pony." Nevertheless, Nguyen further explained: "Still, by streamlining their sound, Deftones have made an album that proves that ferocity is not a diminishing resource." Andy Cush at Pitchfork was also more reserved in his praise for the album than most critics, claiming the band are "not attempting to radically shift your notion of what their music can be. For those of us who have stuck around, that’s just fine; a Deftones album that effortlessly twists their familiar components into a few genuinely new shapes is plenty exciting"

"Genesis" and "Ohms" were nominated for Best Metal Performance and Best Rock Performance, respectively, at the 64th Grammy Awards.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/grammy-awards-2022-deftones-dream-theater-gojira-mastodon-among-best-metal-performance-nominees/|title=Grammy Awards 2022: Deftones, Dream Theater, Gojira, Mastodon Among 'Best Metal Performance' Nominees|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Ohms track listing

| all_lyrics = Chino Moreno

| all_music = Deftones (Stephen Carpenter, Abe Cunningham, Frank Delgado, Chino Moreno, Sergio Vega)

| title1 = Genesis

| length1 = 5:17

| title2 = Ceremony

| length2 = 3:27

| title3 = Urantia

| length3 = 4:30

| title4 = Error

| length4 = 4:50

| title5 = The Spell of Mathematics

| length5 = 5:27

| title6 = Pompeji

| length6 = 5:25

| title7 = This Link Is Dead

| length7 = 4:37

| title8 = Radiant City

| length8 = 3:35

| title9 = Headless

| length9 = 4:59

| title10 = Ohms

| length10 = 4:10

| total_length = 46:22

}}

Personnel adapted from liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Ohms|others=Deftones|year=2020|type=vinyl sleeve|publisher=Reprise Records|id=093624892144}}

Deftones

• Chino Moreno − vocals, rhythm guitar
• Stephen Carpenter − lead guitar
• Abe Cunningham − drums
• Frank Delgado − samples, keyboards
• Sergio Vega − bass

Additional personnel

• Zach Hill – additional finger snaps on "The Spell of Mathematics"
• Terry Date – production, mixing
• Deftones – production
• Howie Weinberg – mastering
• Will Borza – mastering assistant

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{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://deftones.com/}}

{{Deftones}}

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Category:2020 albums

Category:Deftones albums

Category:Reprise Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Terry Date