Deftones fans have been followed the band for decades because of their genre-breaking tracks. However, there’s always been a lingering question: what about the songs that never made it onto an album? Tracks such as “Finger of Death,” “Melanie,” and “Crest” are well-known among fans, but fans won’t find them on Spotify, CD, or vinyl. Instead, these elusive songs float around the internet, mainly on YouTube, leaving fans wondering if they’ll ever get an official release.
Deftones Missing Tracks
Deftones are known for constantly pushing forward, always focusing on new material rather than dwelling on the past. This forward momentum has meant that some incredible songs from past recording sessions have been left behind.
For example, the “Eros” sessions, which were largely shelved following the tragic accident of bassist Chi Cheng, are a vault full of unfinished work. Frontman Chino Moreno has even admitted that he still has the raw media from these sessions and listens to it occasionally. However, he’s also stated that these tracks are unfinished and would require significant work to be album-ready.
Why We Probably Won’t See These Tracks on the New Album
It would have been exciting for the fans to have these lost tracks on a new album but it’s unlikely. Deftones have never been a band that looks back. Unlike Radiohead, who frequently revisit old, unreleased material and include it on new albums, Deftones like to focus on fresh ideas. Their approach has always been about capturing where they’re at now, and not revisiting the past.
This philosophy extends to their unreleased material. Though they have enough quality material to create a great EP or even an album, Deftones has consistently chosen to move forward with new music instead. It’s part of what makes them so innovative and consistently interesting. However, it’s also a bit frustrating for fans who know there’s a vault of unreleased gems waiting to be discovered.
The 2005 release of B-Sides & Rarities gave fans a glimpse into what the band might have in plans. It left them wanting more. The compilation didn’t cover all of the band’s unreleased material, leaving many to hope for a sequel.
A second volume of B-Sides & Rarities could include the lost songs fans have been clamoring for, along with other unreleased tracks from throughout their career, including any unreleased work from Chi Cheng. It would be a dream come true for many, but as of now, there’s no indication that the band has any plans to release such a compilation.
It’s frustrating for the fans that so much incredible music is left in the shadows and it’s also part of what makes Deftones special. Their unwillingness to look back keeps their music fresh and forward-thinking. However, this also means that some incredible tracks may never get the official release they deserve.
