Images: Deftones, Scars on Broadway November 18, 2012 at the House of Blues

The Deftones returned to Las Vegas Nov. 18 for a sold out show at the House of Blues. Opening with the title track from 2010’s Diamond Eyes, the stage was littered with lights, illuminating all the members in reds, blues, and greens. As a photographer, lighting is something that can make or break a show, and I was really impressed with their setup. They spanned their considerable discography with their setlist, some favorites of mine being “Riviere,” “Passenger,” “Bloody Cape,” “Fireal,” and “Swerve City.”

They closed out the night with “Bored,” “Root,” and “7 Words,” which felt like a thank you to all the fans that have been with them since the beginning. They’ve grown and perfected their sound over the years, resulting in this year’s fantastic Koi No Yokan. Frankly, everything they played off that record was faultless. It’s a heavy, melodic and lyrically smart blend of Saturday Night Wrist, White Pony, and Diamond Eyes. If you haven’t picked it up yet, I highly recommend it.

Their first time playing Vegas, openers Scars on Broadway got a huge reaction from the crowd. Led by System of a Down’s Daron Malakian, they opened with “World Long Gone” from their 2008 self-titled record. With it being over four years since we’ve heard fresh material from the band, you could feel the crowd’s anticipation. Thankfully, it sounds like the wait was worth it. We were treated to six new songs, very much in the style of the first record with brutal Black Sabbath-esque riffs and sing-a-long choruses. With this taste of what’s to come, I’m very excited for the release of Scars on Broadway’s next album.

-Tyler Newton | http://500px.com/spottedlens

Deftones setlist:

Diamond Eyes
Rocket Skates
Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
My Own Summer (Shove It)
Poltergeist
Rosemary
Swerve City
Feiticeira
Digital Bath
Knife Prty
Tempest
Fireal
Engine No. 9
Rivière
Change (In the House of Flies)
Passenger
Bloody Cape

Encore:
Bored
Root
7 Words