Entombed - Deftones
Our song
My girlfriend, with whom I run this Substack, and I have a contingent of songs that we hold as “our” songs. In fact, for our one year anniversary, we both unknowingly gifted each other the same item - a personalized mixtape of songs that have meant something to us throughout our relationship. These tracks range from fun and bouncy (De La Soul’s “A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays’”) to deeply romantic (Yo La Tengo’s “Our Way to Fall”).
One track stands out as my favorite.
Deftones often gets lumped in with the nu metal scene of the mid-to-late 90s. Listening to their first couple of records (especially their debut Adrenaline), it is easy to tell why. However, by the time of their third record, 2000’s White Pony, the group had undoubtedly transcended that label, proving that they were versatile enough to be one of the most forward thinking metal bands of their era.
By the time the 2010s hit, Deftones had all but abandoned their agitated, rap-fused attitude and 2-note riffs for shoegaze-y, elegant, dynamic music that, above all else, was still heavy. While there were strokes of this elemental sound on records like Saturday Night Wrist and Diamond Eyes, the band didn’t fully embrace this aesthetic until 2012’s Koi No Yokan, a slick, shiny album that has proven to be one of the band’s most well-received.
Teaming up with producer Nick Raskulinecz, whom the band had previously collaborated with on their prior effort, the band produced 11 tracks of lush, sweeping guitar riffs, atmospheric synthesizers, and vocalist Chino Moreno’s ever impressive vocal range. I would argue that the album leans more into the band’s gothic, new wave influences than their metal ones. There are headbangers to be found, fear not, though
The track from the album that most illuminates this shift into pure Kevin Shields worship is “Entombed.” The song can hardly be described as a “metal” track and is a far cry from the days of “Engine No. 9” and “Rickets.”
The song’s main riff is played by guitarist Stephen Carpenter using a tapping technique high on the guitar’s neck. For maybe the first time ever, I would describe a Deftones riff as optimistic. Progressively climbing up, the riff meets a drowned out, synthetic drum pattern. Moreno comes through with a soft, vulnerable disposition.
From the day you arrived
I've remained by your side
In chains, entombed
From here enters a chorus that can only be described as soaring.
Placed inside
Safe and sound
Shapes and colors are all I see
The song is magical from the second it begins to the second the final synth chord fades out.
Thus, bringing us back to my personal relationship with the song. Julianna and I have always communicated through music. We are both music junkies. I mean, why else would we be writing these blogs?
Every now and again, you find a song that just feels like it belongs to you. That song is “Entombed” for Julianna and me. The first time we listened to it, we were laying down in complete silence with just the company of each other. It just matched that spark of love that we found early in our relationship. Though they don’t know it, Deftones created the soundtrack to a prosperous romance.
It is difficult to listen to the song without thinking about the first time we heard it laying in bed on a winter night in New York City. This song was made for that moment. Sprawled across a bed, with the one you love, feeling comfort in each other’s presence. Safe and sound.
Listen to “Entombed” here.
I hope I get to share music the way y'all do w somebody someday.