Released: 2016

Genres: Alternative Metal, Shoegaze

The Musiquarium’s Gore Review Score: 8.5 out of 10

With tensions arising between singer Chino Moreno and guitarist Stephen Carpenter on the direction of the music, Gore could have ended up a major disaster, but instead, the album occupies a unique space within the band’s discography for having a distinct production style and (relatively) lighter sound.

Prayers / Triangles is one of the band’s best pop moments, along with Hearts / Wires, which uses a similar quiet/loud dynamic and forward slashes. Phantom Bride features a guest appearance from Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell. Songs like Doomed User, Acid Hologram and Geometric Headdress all offer that classic Deftones heaviness.

Though it’s viewed as one of the weaker Deftones albums and has some jarring production when compared to the band’s previous albums, Gore is still a bloody good album that deserves reappraisal.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Deftones on Discogs.

Back to the 2016 Album Guide or the Deftones Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard