“Leathers,” the first single released off of Deftones’ new album, _Koi No Yokan_, is an aggressive call to move forward and show your true self. This song is full of power as frontman Chino Moreno dedicates his entire self to belting out the loudest of screams alongside soft undertones.

The song has an epic buildup in the beginning that takes the listener from a seemingly quiet, spooky sound to borderline screamo. Elements of surprise pop up throughout, with frequent drops in tone followed by spastic bursts of rage.

Deftones have acquired a very strong fan base starting with their 1995 debut album _Adrenaline_. The high-energy spirit from their first album is emanated in the latest one, as well. The band has definitely grown since then but has maintained a balance between angst and harmony that fans appreciate. On _Koi No Yokan_, the group worked with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who also worked with them for the 2010 album _Diamond Eyes_, which was generally well-received by critics and fans alike.

“Tempest,” another track off the new album, displays a slower melody and more focus on guitar and drums. According to the band’s official biography, Deftones tried to incorporate elements of psychedelia and shoegaze in this song. Shoegaze is a type of alternative rock music that started in the late 1980s in the U.K. It features vocals that fuse with instrumentals and heavy guitar usage, according to Last.fm. Moreno’s voice in “Tempest” starts out clear and distinct, but as the song progresses, it warps its way into guitarist Stephen Carpenter’s resilient melodies.

Deftones have a distinct and consistent sound in this album but also venture outside of their comfort zone to deliver new-sounding music to their audience. As many bands have transitioned to the indie rock and pop punk genres in recent years, Deftones are truly committed to staying alternative and clearly embody an alternative rock band at its best. The group has been going strong for close to 20 years and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

_Koi No Yokan_ is now available for pre-order on iTunes while “Tempest” and “Leathers” can be purchased now as singles. If you’re lucky, though, you can catch Deftones at 7 p.m. this Sunday for their sold-out show at The Blue Note.