Gore (Deftones album)

2016 studio album by Deftones

Gore

Studio album by

Deftones

Released| April 8, 2016
Studio| Megawatt Recording, Studio City, Los Angeles, California
Genre|

* Alternative metal
* post-metal
* experimental rock
* space rock

Length| 48:14
Label|

* Reprise
* Warner

Producer|

* Matt Hyde
* Deftones

Deftones chronology
| Koi No Yokan
(2012)  | Gore
(2016)  | Ohms
(2020)

|
|

Singles from  Gore

1. "Prayers / Triangles"
Released: February 4, 2016
2. "Doomed User"
Released: March 16, 2016
3. "Hearts / Wires"
Released: April 4, 2016
4. "Phantom Bride"
Released: June 7, 2016[1]

Gore is the eighth studio album by the American alternative metal band Deftones, released on April 8, 2016, by Reprise Records.[2] Its release was met with critical acclaim, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200; it is the band's fifth album to debut within the chart's top-ten and is their highest-charting since their 2003 eponymous album.

The album was noted for its creative tension between frontman Chino Moreno and lead guitarist Stephen Carpenter, which was described by Rolling Stone as Moreno "playing Morrissey to the guitarist's Meshuggah".[3]

## Background

[edit]

### Writing and recording

[edit]

In March 2014, while Moreno was touring with his side project Crosses in support of their self-titled debut album, the rest of Deftones began writing a follow-up to 2012's Koi No Yokan.[4] Deftones also previously reported that they intended to record a new album either in late 2014 or early 2015.[5] In late February 2015, just after the band had finished the new album's drum tracks, Moreno told Rolling Stone that he expected to be done tracking the album by the end of March, and that Deftones had written 16 songs during the album's sessions. He described the album as "a little more of a heady record" than the previous album.[6]

Carpenter expressed difficulty in getting into the feel of the album initially, comparing the feel of the song "Hearts / Wires" with being a serial killer. He stated, "I had to embrace my inner psycho rapist and come up with the part and get into it". Despite creative differences, band members noted the collaborative nature of the album and considered the tension between differences of musical styles to be a strength.[3] For the most part, Carpenter was particularly uninvolved in the writing of Gore.[7] Bassist Sergio Vega utilized a Bass VI when recording the new material, helping to push the band into new sonic territory.[8] Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains provided guest guitar on the track "Phantom Bride".[9]

On May 15, 2015, Moreno was interviewed by Kerrang! about the new album, which he described by saying, "The songs have a lot of different moods". He further explained that it was not a "happy record", but also "not a completely angry record".[10]

### Release

[edit]

Initially the album was tentatively scheduled to be released on September 25, 2015,[11] later being pushed back to late November, as final mixes as well as the title, cover and liner notes were still being completed.[12] On October 26, 2015, drummer Abe Cunningham clarified that the band were still working on mixes, album art and song titles, and that the new album would be coming out in the first part of 2016.[13] On January 22, 2016, during an interview held at the 2016 NAMM Show, Carpenter revealed the release date of the new album to be April 8, 2016.[2]

On January 27, the band posted a 30-second teaser video to their website featuring new music from the album and confirming the album title as Gore.[14]

The album's first single, "Prayers / Triangles", was released on February 4, 2016.[15] The second single, "Doomed User", was shared on March 16.[16] On April 4, the band released the third single from the album, "Hearts / Wires".[17]

## Composition

[edit]

Described as "having the marks of an experimental-rock gospel",[18] Gore features the band's alternative metal sound meshed with a variety of influences from other genres.[19] The music has been compared to the band's 2006 album, Saturday Night Wrist, with critics noting its experimental[20][21][22] and atmospheric sound.[20][21][22][23] Chuck Campbell of Knox News noted a post-metal sound on Gore, calling it "timelessly vital".[24] Rob Sayce of Rock Sound noted that the band "drags their new wave and post-punk influences to the fore" on the record.[25] Several critics also noted a space rock sound on the album.[20][26][27]

## Cover art

[edit]

Moreno explained that the juxtaposition between the photo of flying flamingos and the album title:

> "I think Deftones have always flirted with dynamic and that yin-and-yang of things that are provocative and things that are beautiful. Where our last two album titles were a lot more optimistic, I think this title is intentionally different. This record is very different. I feel like Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan were brother-sister records in a lot of ways. They were both recording in the same way. And even though it was a tough few years we went through while making those records, I think it was important to have their optimistic outlook."

— Chino Moreno (2016)[28]

## Reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsAggregate scores

Source| Rating
AnyDecentMusic?| 7.6/10[29]
Metacritic| 81/100[30]
Review scores
Source| Rating
AllMusic| [21]
Classic Rock| [31]
Consequence of Sound| A−[22]
Exclaim!| 8/10[32]
Metal Hammer| [33]
Metal Injection| 8/10[20]
Pitchfork| 7.8/10[34]
Q| [35]
The Skinny| [36]
Spin| 7/10[18]

### Critical reception

[edit]

Gore received acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 81 based on 24 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[30] In their April 2016 issue, Metal Hammer awarded the album 9 out of 10, claiming that "if, however, you delight in being challenged, coerced and invited on a journey of oblique emotional mysticism, then Gore is going to be one of your favourite albums of this year".[37] AllMusic stated, "Not only have [Deftones] surpassed fates similar to other acts associated with the nu-metal genre, but they have continuously pushed the boundaries of what metal can be and how artistry can evolve. Gore is a triumphant reminder that a veteran act can continue to grow and still remain relevant".[21] Writing for Exclaim!, Calum Slingerland called the record "an emotionally divided release" that will "continue to endear and swing with your own mood — however you're feeling".[32] Reviewing for Spin, Andy O'Connor praised the use of Iron Maiden-like guitar work from Carpenter on "Phantom Bride" and "Pittura Infamante", calling them examples of the album's "experimental-rock gospel".[18]

### Accolades

[edit]

Publication  | Accolade  | Rank

|
|

Consequence | Top 50 Albums of 2016  |

40[38]

Exclaim! | Top 10 Metal & Hardcore Albums of 2016  |

7[39]

Loudwire | 20 Best Rock Albums of 2016  |

5[40]

Metal Hammer | The 50 Best Metal Albums of 2016  |

14[41]

OC Weekly | The 20 Best Metal Albums of 2016  |

6[42]

Rolling Stone | 20 Best Metal Albums of 2016  |

7[43]

Sputnikmusic | Top 50 Albums of 2016  |

26[44]

### Commercial performance

[edit]

Gore was initially expected to sell between 38,000 and 43,000 records in the US during its first week, and later, between 55,000 and 60,000, according to Hits Daily Double.[45] The album sold 69,000 in traditional album sales in the US and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, making it their highest-charting album since their self-titled 2003 album and earning their highest sales since Saturday Night Wrist in 2006, which sold 76,000 copies in its first week.[46][47]

Gore is also Deftones' first album to reach No. 1 in New Zealand and Australia.[48][49]

## Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Chino Moreno; all music is composed by Deftones.

No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Prayers / Triangles"| 3:38
2.| "Acid Hologram"| 4:06
3.| "Doomed User"| 4:27
4.| "Geometric Headdress"| 3:29
5.| "Hearts / Wires"| 5:21
6.| "Pittura Infamante"| 4:04
7.| "Xenon"| 3:17
8.| "(L)MIRL"| 5:02
9.| "Gore"| 4:59
10.| "Phantom Bride" (featuring Jerry Cantrell)| 4:53
11.| "Rubicon"| 4:58
Total length:| 48:14

## Personnel

[edit]

Gore album personnel adapted from the CD liner notes.[50]

Deftones

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

Additional musicians

* Jerry Cantrell − guitar solo (track 10)

Technical

* Matt Hyde − production, engineering, mixing
* Howie Weinberg − mastering
* Gentry Studer − mastering
* Chris Rakestraw − engineering
* Jimmy Fahey − assistant engineer
* Martin Pradler − additional engineering
* Rob Hill − additional engineering
* Frank Maddocks − art direction, design, photography

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2016)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[51] | 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[52] | 7
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[53] | 18
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[54] | 28
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[55] | 4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[56] | 15
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[57] | 12
French Albums (SNEP)[58] | 19
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[59] | 7
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[60] | 11
Irish Albums (IRMA)[61] | 17
Italian Albums (FIMI)[62] | 21
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[63] | 43
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[64] | 1
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[65] | 32
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[66] | 37
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[67] | 11
Scottish Albums (OCC)[68] | 4
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[69] | 39
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[70] | 10
UK Albums (OCC)[71] | 5
US Billboard 200[72] | 2
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[73] | 2

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2016)  | Position

|

US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[74] | 26

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Rock Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
2. ^ a b "NEWS: Deftones to release eighth album on April 8th 2016!". Dead Press. January 22, 2016. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
3. ^ a b Appleford, Steve (April 1, 2016). "Deftones Talk New Album, Band Tension: 'We Like Unnerving Feelings'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
4. ^ Reilly, Dan (March 5, 2014). "Deftones Start Recording New Album Without Chino Moreno". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
5. ^ "DEFTONES Will Write New Album In 2014, Not 2015". Blabbermouth. February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
6. ^ "Deftones Prep 'Heady, Outside-the-Box' New Album". Rollingstone. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
7. ^ Revolver. "Deftones Album Ranked: From Worst to Best". Revolver. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
8. ^ Childers, Chad (August 21, 2015). "Deftones Eye November Release for New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
9. ^ "DEFTONES' New Album To Feature Guest Appearance By ALICE IN CHAINS' JERRY CANTRELL". Blabbermouth. May 10, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
10. ^ "CHINO MORENO Says New DEFTONES Album Is 'A Little More Technical'". Blabbermouth.net. May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
11. ^ "DEFTONES To Release New Album In September". Blabbermouth. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
12. ^ "New Deftones Album Pushed Back To November". Blabbermouth. August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
13. ^ "DEFTONES Are Still Finalizing New Album Title, Artwork and Songtitles". October 26, 2015.
14. ^ Pasbani, Robert (January 27, 2016). "DEFTONES Tease 30 Seconds Of New Album, Gore". Metal Injection. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
15. ^ Monroe, Jazz (February 4, 2016). "Deftones Return With New Album Gore, Share "Prayers/Triangles"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
16. ^ Reed, Ryan (March 16, 2016). "Hear Deftones' Pummeling New Song 'Doomed User'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
17. ^ Keeps, Daniel (April 4, 2016). "Hear Deftones' Lurking New Song 'Hearts/Wires'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
18. ^ a b c O'Connor, Andy (April 8, 2016). "Review: Deftones Listen to Iron Maiden, Baby on 'Gore'". Spin Media Group. Retrieved April 12, 2016. "There, and all over Gore, marks experimental-rock gospel: having something to grab onto helps especially when you're going far out."
19. ^ Fowler, Luke (April 11, 2016). "Review: Deftones' Gore". Pretty Much Amazing. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
20. ^ a b c d Rowe, Riley (April 7, 2016). "Gore – Deftones". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
21. ^ a b c d Yeung, Neil. "Gore – Deftones". AllMusic. Retrieved April 6, 2016. "Effects man Frank Delgado buffers everything with clever sonic touches -- experimental traces of mood that haven't been this exciting since 1999's groundbreaking White Pony \-- like on the hazy swirl of the aptly named "Acid Hologram" and the uncomfortably tense "Geometric Headdress."
22. ^ a b c "Album Review: Deftones – Gore". Consequence of Sound. April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016. "Gore is an amalgamation of the darker vibes of 2012's Koi No Yokan and the tight, experimental arrangements of 2010's Diamond Eyes."
23. ^ Mumford, Gwilym (April 7, 2016). "Deftones: Gore review – metal that seduces instead of assails". The Guardian. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
24. ^ Campbell, Chuck (April 5, 2016). "Music review: Destructive Deftones rip through 'Gore'". Retrieved April 8, 2016. "And although there is something quaint about "Gore" — flashbacks to turn-of-the-century post-metal, before rock all but vanished from relevance — it nonetheless sounds timelessly vital."
25. ^ Sayce, Rob (April 7, 2016). "Deftones - 'Gore'". Rock Sound. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
26. ^ "Deftones Gore". ThePRP. March 30, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
27. ^ Hill, Stephen (March 29, 2016). "Deftones: Gore". Metal Hammer. Team Rock. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
28. ^ Blabbermouth. "Deftones Frontman Explains 'Gore' Album Title, Cover Artwork". Blabbermouth. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
29. ^ "Gore by Deftones reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
30. ^ a b "Reviews for Gore by Deftones". Metacritic. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
31. ^ Wilding, Philip (March 18, 2016). "Deftones: Gore". Retrieved April 7, 2016.
32. ^ a b Slingerland, Calum (April 8, 2016). "Deftones - Gore". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
33. ^ Hill, Stephen (March 29, 2016). "Deftones: Gore - Review - Metal hammer". Retrieved April 7, 2016.
34. ^ Cohen, Ian (April 12, 2016). "Deftones: Gore". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
35. ^ "Gore - Deftones". Q (358): 107. April 2016.
36. ^ Kerr, Dave (April 5, 2016). "Deftones: Gore - Album review". The Skinny. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
37. ^ "Deftones - Gore album review". March 29, 2016.
38. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2016". Consequence of Sound. November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
39. ^ "Exclaim!'s Top 10 Metal & Hardcore Albums of 2016". Exclaim!. December 8, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
40. ^ "20 Best Rock Albums of 2016". Loudwire. December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
41. ^ "The 50 best metal albums of 2016". Metal Hammer. September 20, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
42. ^ "The 20 Best Metal Albums of 2016". OC Weekly. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
43. ^ "20 Best Metal Albums of 2016". Rolling Stone. December 9, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
44. ^ Spencer, Tracy (December 21, 2016). "Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2016: 30 – 11". Sputnikmusic. p. 2. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
45. ^ "The Lumineers, Deftones Album Sales Projections Upgraded". Headline Planet. April 11, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
46. ^ "Top 200 Albums | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
47. ^ "Deftones Dominate Hard Rock Albums & Entire Lumineers Album Lands on Hot Rock Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
48. ^ "charts.co.nz - Discography Deftones". charts.co.nz. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
49. ^ "australian-charts.com - Discography Deftones". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
50. ^ Gore. Reprise Records (CD liner). Deftones. 2016. 9362492648.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
51. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
52. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Deftones – Gore" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
53. ^ "Ultratop.be – Deftones – Gore" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
54. ^ "Ultratop.be – Deftones – Gore" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
55. ^ "Deftones Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
56. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Deftones – Gore" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
57. ^ "Deftones: Gore" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
58. ^ "Lescharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
59. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Deftones – Gore" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
60. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2016. 14. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
61. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 15, 2016". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
62. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
63. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2016-04-18" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
64. ^ "Charts.nz – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
65. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
66. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
67. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
68. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
69. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
70. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Deftones – Gore". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
71. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
72. ^ "Deftones Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
73. ^ "Deftones Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
74. ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Deftones

* Chino Moreno
* Stephen Carpenter
* Abe Cunningham
* Frank Delgado

* Dominic Garcia
* Chi Cheng
* John Taylor
* Sergio Vega

Studio albums|

* Adrenaline
* Around the Fur
* White Pony
* Deftones
* Saturday Night Wrist
* Diamond Eyes
* Koi No Yokan
* Gore
* Ohms
* Private Music

Compilation albums|

* B-Sides & Rarities
* Covers

Unreleased albums|

* Eros

Extended plays|

* Back to School (Mini Maggit)

Singles|

* "My Own Summer (Shove It)"
* "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)"
* "Change (In the House of Flies)"
* "Back to School (Mini Maggit)"
* "Minerva"
* "Hexagram"
* "Hole in the Earth"
* "Mein"
* "Rocket Skates"
* "Diamond Eyes"
* "You've Seen the Butcher"
* "Leathers"
* "Tempest"
* "Swerve City"
* "Prayers / Triangles"
* "Phantom Bride"
* "Ohms"

Promotional singles|

* "7 Words"
* "Bored"
* "Digital Bath"

Related articles|

* Discography
* The Bamboo Parachute
* Blackdiamondskye
* "A Song for Chi"
* Team Sleep
* album

* Category:Deftones

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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