Deftones Retain Consistently Superb Quality on Private Music
By Eligh Gold, August 22, 2025
If there’s one thing you can count on in the ever-shifting terrain of alternative metal, it’s that Deftones will never deliver anything less than excellence. With their latest release, Private Music, the Sacramento legends once again prove that time only sharpens their edge — not dulls it. As bands come and go, or fall victim to formulaic writing and sonic redundancy, Deftones continue to evolve while retaining the essence of what makes them so uniquely powerful.
A Sonic World of Their Own
Private Music doesn’t scream for attention — it haunts, it swells, it creeps under your skin. The album's title might suggest something subdued, even minimalist, but don’t let that fool you. What Deftones present here is deeply personal, yet sonically expansive. There's a sense of restraint laced with ferocity; a band clearly in full control of its emotional and technical faculties.
From the opening track, you’re reminded of why Deftones have remained in a league of their own. Chino Moreno’s vocals are as textured and evocative as ever, shifting from hushed vulnerability to guttural intensity with surgical precision. Guitarist Stephen Carpenter lays down crushing yet atmospheric riffs, balancing aggression with ambiance in a way few modern rock guitarists can. Meanwhile, Abe Cunningham’s drumming remains a masterclass in groove and finesse, anchoring the band’s dreamlike excursions with just the right amount of weight.
The Evolution Continues
While some legacy acts lean on nostalgia, Private Music feels fresh — even experimental — without being self-indulgent. Tracks like “Glass Language” and “Tidepool Static” showcase Deftones' flair for blending ethereal electronics with their signature alt-metal backbone. Frank Delgado’s contributions on synths and samples are more prominent here than in recent memory, adding eerie textures that blur the lines between post-rock, trip-hop, and doom.
Yet, for all its atmospheric ambition, the album never forgets to hit hard. Songs like “Carbine Veins” and “Salt Bloom” prove that Deftones can still deliver heavy, emotionally charged rock music that cuts deep — but always with nuance.
Lyrical Intimacy
Moreno’s lyrics on Private Music are abstract but deeply affecting. There’s a sense of quiet introspection across the record, as if these songs are sonic diary entries whispered into the dark. Themes of isolation, yearning, memory, and transformation echo throughout — all filtered through the band’s trademark lyrical impressionism.
You won’t find overt declarations or anthemic choruses here. Instead, Moreno invites the listener into a shadowy, intimate headspace. It’s this emotional honesty — shrouded in mystery — that’s kept fans connected to Deftones for decades.
A Legacy Reinforced
In an era where many veteran bands struggle to stay relevant or risk diluting their legacy, Private Music reinforces Deftones' place in the pantheon of modern rock innovators. It’s not just another good album — it’s a statement of creative vitality, proving that their well of inspiration is far from dry.
While Deftones could easily coast on their classics, they choose instead to keep exploring, keep evolving, and most importantly, keep delivering music that resonates. Private Music is yet another chapter in a discography that has rarely, if ever, faltered.
And that’s what makes Deftones so enduring: a refusal to stagnate, a commitment to quality, and an ability to make the private feel universal.
