Slow motion figures prominently in the majority of music videos for the alternative metal band the Deftones. Perhaps for the same reason that time sometimes seems to slow down during terrifying incidents, the special visual effect complements the band's extreme sound.
Most of the crowd positioned on the floor of the sold-out VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's casino on Monday experienced similar logic-defying phenomena. Enveloped in sweat and illicit smoke, fans contended with crowd surfers above their heads and spilled drinks under their feet. Spontaneous mosh pits and sudden outbreaks of pushing and shoving resulted in a constant ebb and flow of the tightly packed audience. As the evening became progressively stickier, many concertgoers tossed their discarded clothing onto the stage as they disrobed. Others, for reasons unknown, were compelled to spray their beers rather than drink them.
Yet very few fights broke out. As fans were forced to focus on not getting knocked down, most simply sublimated themselves to the chaotic collective whole. The music of the Deftones united the audience of about 1,500. Formed in California in 1989, the Deftones have outlasted the trends that have crushed the viability of countless other metal-based bands. Grunge, nu-metal, pop-punk and screamo are among the styles that fallen out of fashion during the band's lifetime.
The Deftones have remained relevant by cleverly incorporating the sturdiest elements of different styles of music,. Stephen Carpenter's heavy metal approach on guitar, for instance, is balanced by the hip hop elements contributed by keyboardist and turntablist Frank Delgado. On material like "Back To School (Mini Maggit)," vibrant front man Chino Moreno sang, rapped and screamed. The rage-fueled "7 Words," an audience favorite from the band's debut album, showcased the band's connection to punk rock.
While the band delivered such older material with enthusiasm, the songs from 2010 album Diamond Eyes were the evening's best. Demonstrating that it's improving with age, new Deftones songs like "You've Seen the Butcher" combined the majesty of The Who with the experimental funk of George Clinton.
Opening act Dillinger Escape Plan, conversely, seemingly abhors such tradition. It doesn't perform rock music so much as it deliberately desecrates the form. The band's two guitarists, bassist and drummer conducted the musical equivalent of drawing and quartering rock's carcass. Defiant vocalist Greg Puciato screeched as if he expected an irate witness to attempt to put a halt to the horrific ritual.
Dillinger Escape Plan's admirably anarchic 40-minute set lasted twice as long as some in the audience would have liked. The 100-minute performance of the Deftones, however, seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
Yet very few fights broke out. As fans were forced to focus on not getting knocked down, most simply sublimated themselves to the chaotic collective whole. The music of the Deftones united the audience of about 1,500. Formed in California in 1989, the Deftones have outlasted the trends that have crushed the viability of countless other metal-based bands. Grunge, nu-metal, pop-punk and screamo are among the styles that fallen out of fashion during the band's lifetime.
The Deftones have remained relevant by cleverly incorporating the sturdiest elements of different styles of music,. Stephen Carpenter's heavy metal approach on guitar, for instance, is balanced by the hip hop elements contributed by keyboardist and turntablist Frank Delgado. On material like "Back To School (Mini Maggit)," vibrant front man Chino Moreno sang, rapped and screamed. The rage-fueled "7 Words," an audience favorite from the band's debut album, showcased the band's connection to punk rock.
While the band delivered such older material with enthusiasm, the songs from 2010 album Diamond Eyes were the evening's best. Demonstrating that it's improving with age, new Deftones songs like "You've Seen the Butcher" combined the majesty of The Who with the experimental funk of George Clinton.
Opening act Dillinger Escape Plan, conversely, seemingly abhors such tradition. It doesn't perform rock music so much as it deliberately desecrates the form. The band's two guitarists, bassist and drummer conducted the musical equivalent of drawing and quartering rock's carcass. Defiant vocalist Greg Puciato screeched as if he expected an irate witness to attempt to put a halt to the horrific ritual.
Dillinger Escape Plan's admirably anarchic 40-minute set lasted twice as long as some in the audience would have liked. The 100-minute performance of the Deftones, however, seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
| Bill Brownlee/Special to The Star
Setlist: Diamond Eyes, Rocket Skates, Birthmark, Engine No. 9, Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away); My Own Summer (Shove It); Around the Fur; Digital Bath; Knife Prty; Hexagram; Minerva; Bloody Cape; You've Seen the Butcher; Sextape; Beauty School; Risk; Elite; Change (In teh House of Flies); Passenger; Back to School Mini Maggit); Stef & Sergio Mini-Jam; Root; 7 Words.
DEP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Deftones.
Posted by: mankvill | April 26, 2011 at 03:04 PM
I totally forgot ALL about the DEFTONES gig at the Voodoo Lounge. I saw their awesome set when they were support for ALICE IN CHAINS less than a year ago at Sandbone. First time I saw the DEFTONES was like fifteen years ago with MONSTER MAGNET and SUGAR RAY at the SW Blvd. location of the long-gone (yet not forgotten) Lone Star. I'm almost sure of the line-up.
Posted by: Bubba | April 26, 2011 at 08:35 PM
It was great to see the Deftones play KC twice in the past 6 months. Also nice to see that they keep putting out great releases, one after another.
Posted by: JZ | April 27, 2011 at 11:07 PM
I like ANMJ on FB & just subscribed to the email feed! :)
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