Do we remember, in the late nineties, when the so-called nu-metal really took off? Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Korn and also Deftones belong to this movement, although Deftones consider themselves more alternative rock. Some of those bands have already quit and others have become a caricature of themselves. Not so with the Californian Deftones, led by singer Chino Moreno, who, apart from a few cult hits, never really broke through to the general public. That may count as a blessing twenty years later, now that they have recovered after a difficult period in which bassist Chi Cheng eventually died after a coma of four years. Now Deftones remain cult.
Deftones were last in the country five years ago and for the last time on Pinkpop fifteen years ago, so it was about time again – especially after the release of the not bad album Ohms in 2020. The band is coming out completely in black. the podium, not really a smart move given the temperatures, but image is also worth something. Because if you had to describe their music it is hard, loud, dirty and exciting. The dark basses are palpable, and Chino regularly screams over them like a suckling pig about to be killed, but it’s true. Their sound is recognizable out of thousands: metal for fats.
It is the songs from the albums Around The Fur from 1997 and Pony from 2000, which can count on the most acclaim. Especially a majestic version of Change (In The House Of Flies), where you imagine yourself on a highway in a desert at night, where the speed limit has to be broken. At their best moments, their music still has a visual capacity, so it is no surprise that they are still here in 2022.
THE MOMENT
Chino steps forward halfway through the set to allow himself to be felt by the audience, but the camera crew has an eye for something else: a guy crowdsurfing sitting in a wheelchair… Respect!
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