Deftones to re-record new album minus bassist

The Deftones have decided to re-record their upcoming sixth studio album and shelve contributions from bassist Chi Cheng who has been left comatosed since his car accident last November.

In a post on their MySpace blog, the band said the original version of Eros "doesn't best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians".

Deftones have headed back into the studio to re-record the much delayed forthcoming new album 'Eros'.

The album had already been recorded with bassist Chi Cheng before he was involved in a car accident last November which put him in coma.

Writing on their MySpace blog at Myspace.com/deftones, the band claimed that the original record featuring Cheng "doesn't best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians".

"The decision to hold off on releasing Eros has no connection with Chi's condition or anything associated.," they added. "This was, and is, purely a creative decision by the band to write, record, and deliver an amazing product. As a result we feel like this is the best record we've ever written. And although Chi is not playing bass with us, his presence is dramatically felt in our hearts and on our minds everyday when we step into that studio, and you will feel it in the music."

Tags: Deftones

Posted by Dan at 05:25PM | June 24, 2009

Jeez, wait till a guys in a coma...

Posted by Helen | June 25, 2009 12:14 PM | Reply to this

Way to piss on a guy's legacy.

If Chi doesn't recover and get out of his coma then this album would have been the last work he made. I think it's pretty weak to shelf it.

The potential for posthumous release of the original version with Chi playing if he does die would certainly make them a pretty penny... maybe that's why they're holding onto it.

Posted by Dr Hero van Wildebeest | June 25, 2009 12:20 PM | Reply to this

I think it's screwed up to remove Chi's parts of the album. Basically, no one in his family will be able to collect royalties to help with his medical bills.

I for one, totally dig the Deftones. But if this is the case, I'll burn all their material and encourage everyone else to do so also.

Posted by SkrudnTa2d | June 25, 2009 12:29 PM | Reply to this

Don't burn it - flog it on eBay and donate the money to his charity

Posted by Dr. H van W | June 25, 2009 1:14 PM | Reply to this

I have a bad feeling about this, like they know more about Chi's condition now and the very real possibility that he's not coming back, otherwise they'd still stall the release or something...but now it's like ok this isn't gonna work out:
I think they are doing this because they have probably re-written a couple of songs here and there and someone else had to play bass:

They're not dumping Chi, but as a band they have to move on I guess.

Posted by Smiter | June 25, 2009 3:07 PM | Reply to this

This is a bit too similar to Ozzy's decision to re-record his old stuff to avoid paying royalties....

Posted by Gorgar | June 25, 2009 4:39 PM | Reply to this

Maybe it hurts the other band members too much to have his work on the new album.

I didn't realise how bad Chi Cheng's condition was.

But, the other guys have to move on!

Posted by MPD | June 26, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply to this

there are no other motives here than the ones written. i think anyone question the bands decision needs to take a step back and think about the relationship these guys have. Chi & Chino have been friends for over 20 years and making music almost as long, To think, as a band, they would cut his contribution to "piss on his legacy" or bail out on royalties is a cold and unfounded statment based and captulates everything wrong with they way we judge those we dont know. This is the right thing to do.

Posted by Franko | June 28, 2009 11:06 PM | Reply to this

Chill out guys!
Deftones are optimistic about Chi's recovery and remain positive.
They are holding on to Eros which will be released at some stage,probably when Chi recovers.In the meantime I think these guys have been through a lot and the best way for them to express it and work through it, is to write about it, hence another record - what a bonus! we can look forward to 2.
It is not about screwing over Chi at all.
Deftones have said that they have 2 bass players at the moment, leading me to believe Chi will still be getting his share of the royalties, even from this other record.
Give these guys a break - stop moaning - go to oneloveforchi.com and donate

Posted by eddepp | September 14, 2009 7:04 AM | Reply to this

One other thing - this article omits and changes facts for a bit of sensationalism.
Deftones are not rewriting Eros, they recorded a completely different album.
Chi's parts on Eros remain as he recorded them and Deftones have said how special these recordings are to them.
I have a feeling that Eros is so good that they want Chi to be there to celebrate its success.

Posted by eddepp | September 14, 2009 7:10 AM | Reply to this