On Stage: Deftones @ 013

Deftones doesn't visit the low lands a lot and when they do it is usually only for a single night. I am very spoiled living in Amsterdam when it comes to concerts, since many bands will visit this town. But for Deftones I usually have to travel, this time to the south again like I did a few years back. Of course I know it is most probably worth it.

Deftones at 013 Tilburg, April 24 2017

Travelling this far on a weekday isn't ideal, since I know I will be home quite late. That's why I don't visit the 013 venue a lot. After I came here the last time, this place has been rebuilt and the main hall is now a lot bigger. Still the concert sold out quite some time ago. Deftones are still very popular and for a good reason. Despite the mixed reviews I like the last album Gore, but maybe it was a bit disappointing for some after the very good Koi No Yokan. Of course the older stuff is always a treat to hear.

At the beginning of the show singer Chino Moreno needs to warm up a bit. His vocals aren't great yet and the sound mix could have been better as well. Moreno's characteristic way of singing always is a bit on the edge but that's what makes it so unique. Fortunately it only takes a short time for him to get warmed up. He's all over the stage, climbing the riser at the front a lot. Guitar player Stephen Carpenter is in his own windy world, with a fan blowing his hair up continuously. Bass player Sergio Vega looks like he's having a lot of fun, playing with a huge grin, while drummer Abe Cunningham can hardly be seen in the corner from where I'm standing, but his powerful grooves can be heard very well.

Deftones know exactly what the crowd wants and play their big hits, taking songs of most of their album. Only two songs of Gore make it to the set list. Back to back they play songs of one album before moving on. So 'Diamond Eyes' and 'You've Seen The Butcher' are paired up, followed by Koi No Yokan's 'Tempest' and 'Swerve City' and so on. And of course the band knows how to build up a set and save the best for last playing the big hits of White Pony and Around The Fur at the end.

By this time the band is in good shape and is rolling smoothly. The crowd is roaring and Moreno is asking for a circle pit; and gets one of course. 'Headup' closes the regular set and the band returns for two more in the encore. It's good to see this band still keeps knocking out good albums and live shows. So in a few years I will no doubt head back south again for their next show.

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Setlist:
01. Korea
02. Elite
03. Diamond Eyes
04. You've Seen the Butcher
05. Tempest
06. Swerve City
07. Gore
08. (L)MIRL
09. Kimdracula
10. Rosemary
11. Minus Blindfold
12. Teething(with Life's A Bitch (Nas Song) chorus)
13. Digital Bath
14. Change (In the House of Flies)
15. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
16. My Own Summer (Shove It)
17. Headup
Encore:
18. Back to School (Mini Maggit)
19. Rocket Skates


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Top 10 albums 2016

As the end of the year is upon as the obligatory end of the year lists appear as well. So here's the one I sent in to FestivalInfo in the end. I was thinking of just publishing it here in alphabetical order since they're all great albums and the order isn't really important. And of course there are lots of other great albums that came out this year and I only heard a small part of them. So don't attach too much importance to this list of any of the lists. They are only there for a bit of fun. Let's remember all the wonderful musicians that left us this year and hope 2017 will be a better year. Have a good one and see you on the other side.

1.David Bowie - Black Star
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2.Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
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3.Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Skeleton
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4.Preoccupations - Preoccupations
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5.King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity
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6.Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial
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7.Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
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8.Deftones - Gore
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9.Shearwater - Jet Plane and Oxbow
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10.Ryley Walker - Golden Sings That Have Been Sung
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Hot Night With Deftones

Last year Californian metal band Deftones released one of the best records of 2012. Koi No Yokan is probably one of their most consistent albums. I had to wait for a long time to hear the new songs live. Finally the band were about to visit this small country. They didn't play in Amsterdam so I went to the great, and today hot, 013 venue in Tilburg instead.



Deftones at 013 Tilburg, September 3 2013

Deftones are a one of a kind band. Their sound is hard to compare to anything else. It's almost like they invented their own genre. Loud outbursts are followed with slow heavy grooves. Especially on stage this group knows how to excel. Their live reputation is famous and the songs lend themselves very well for a thrilling rock show.



Chino Moreno's vocals are part of their unique sound. His way of singing is one of a kind but can sometimes start to get a bit on your nerves. As long as they keep varying this is hardly a nuisance. His voice is quite good tonight although it isn't always exactly in key. In the beginning the mix of the sound isn't great and his vocals aren't loud enough. Fortunately after a few songs it has been fixed. 



It takes a bit of time for the band to fully warm up. When they finally do, it turns into one of those shows where band and crowd totally find each other. Especially Moreno and bass player Sergio Vega move around stage a lot. Moreno is all over the place, bouncing around, jumping on monitor speakers and looking for contact with the front rows. The big smile that is frequently showing on his face reveals that he's enjoying himself a lot tonight. Guitarist Stephen Carpenter is less active and more introvert, but is totally into his heavy riffs. The whole band is playing with a lot of heart.



It is good to hear how different the band can sound. Still you will always recognize their music right away. Quiet and more melodic songs are followed by aggressive outbursts lighting the fuse of the pit in front of the stage. Four songs of the new record make it into the set, which is leaning heavily on their epic masterpiece White Pony, especially halfway. It's funny that songs of the same albums are mostly together in their set, covering era after era that way. Tonight is a nice retrospective of their discography.

Closing with some old favourites from first album Adrenaline in the encore they give the crowd exactly what they asked for in the end: a tight, solid and honest rock show the way only Deftones can play.



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Setlist
01. Rocket Skates
02. Diamond Eyes
03. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
04. My Own Summer (Shove It)
05. Lhabia
06. Rosemary
07. Feiticeira
08. Digital Bath
09. Knife Prty
10. Elite
11. Tempest
12. Swerve City
13. Poltergeist
14. Passenger
15. Change (In the House of Flies)
16. Regulate(Warren G cover)
17. Bloody Cape
Encore
18. Minerva
19. Engine No. 9 / Wicked
20. 7 Words
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Top 10 Albums 2012

Throughout the year I keep a list of records that potentially can make my top ten year list, that I have to make for ROAR E-Zine every year. I extract the final list from it, which will change several times before I'm happy with it. It's a hell of a job that causes me many headaches.

01. Tame Impala - Lonerism
This year's top position was clear right after playing Tame Impala's record a few times. Lonerism is a master piece, a great trip from start to finish.
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02. Shaking Godspeed - Hoera
Quite a few Dutch productions made it into my concept list. But Shaking Godspeed had to end high. These guys have so much power and Hoera is a delicious rock album.
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03. Jack White - Blunderbuss
With Blunderbuss Jack White is showing that he can make great music all by himself as well and is proving once more to be a musical genius.
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04. Deftones - Koi No Yokan
Suddenly Deftones came up with a terrific album. Just in time to make it into this list. Koi No Yokan is one of the best albums in their impressive catalogue and may even challenge White Pony.
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05. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
Out of nowhere came Alabama Shakes with their mix of blues, soul and rock. They were the talk of the town and with this record showed this was completely justified.
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06. Toy - Toy
This London band debuted with their eponymous record full of great, eighties inspired psychedelic shoegaze songs.
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07. Benjamin Herman - Deal
Saxophone player Benjamin Herman took care of the soundtrack for the Dutch movie Deal and did a brilliant job. It resulted in beautiful movie music, proving once more that he's one of the best musicians in this country.
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08. The Horse Company - Calypso
Also from The Netherlands, this band from Zwolle surprised with a gorgeous album filled with atmospheric rock songs.
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09. Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again
British soul man Michael Kiwanuka released a beautiful album. Home Again may not always be consistent, but it's a great recording nevertheless and Kiwanuka's voice and songs are just lush.
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10. Blaudzun - Heavy Flowers
Dutch musician Blaudzun established himself as one of the most remarkable and most talented artists in our country.
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There you have it, ten beauties. There were so many more great albums, which makes it so hard and a bit unfair to only name ten. Time for some aspirin now and bring up 2013! Happy New Year!

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