Released 10 years ago
Gore
Deftones · 2016
48 min · 11 tracks · alternative metal
A swirling blend of atmospheric melodies and heavy rhythms, embodying both vulnerability and aggression in equal measure.
Top tracks — play these first
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Prayers/Triangles Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with haunting vocals layered over intricate guitar work, illustrating the band's ability to weave atmosphere into heavy music.
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Doomed User — Aggressive yet melodic, this track showcases a dynamic range that illustrates the band's signature sound while addressing themes of disillusionment and addiction.
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Phantom Bride — Featuring a guest guitar solo from Stephen Carpenter, this song encapsulates the emotional core of the album, blending ethereal elements with crushing heaviness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Gore showcases strong atmospheric compositions and distinct sound while maintaining cohesive flow throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build in intensity, culminating in 'Doomed User', which has a driving rhythm and aggressive vocals.
- Several songs incorporate layered guitar textures that create a dense atmosphere, particularly evident in 'Acid Hologram' and 'Geometric Headdress'.
- The final three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, with 'Phantom Bride' featuring a prominent guest vocal that shifts the emotional tone.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- atmospheric background focus
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and experimentation in their established sound.
- Themes
- atmospheric heaviness· introspective lyricism
- Career context
- By the time 'Gore' was released in 2016, Deftones had established themselves as a leading force in alternative metal with six prior albums. This record marked their first new material since the passing of bassist Chi Cheng, reflecting a period of introspection and evolution in their sound. The band continued to explore new sonic territories while maintaining their signature blend of heaviness and melody.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Glassjaw· System of a Down· A Perfect Circle
Tracklist
- 1 Prayers/Triangles Start here 3:37
- 2 Acid Hologram 4:05
- 3 Doomed User 4:26
- 4 Geometric Headdress 3:29
- 5 Hearts/Wires 5:20
- 6 Pittura infamante 4:03
- 7 Xenon 3:17
- 8 (L)MIRL 5:02
- 9 Gore 4:59
- 10 Phantom Bride 4:53
- 11 Rubicon 4:57
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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