Here’s Why DEFTONES Took Five Years Between Albums & How Bassist FRED SABLAN Contributed

In a new interview with Brazilian music journalist Igor Miranda, Deftones drummer Abe Cunningham opened up about the long five-year gap between 2020’s Ohms and the band’s new album Private Music.

“It’s five years, which is the longest time we’ve ever taken, man. And a lot of that was by design,” Cunningham explained. “Stephen [Carpenter, guitarist] always wants us to, like, he’s, like, ‘Why are you guys always going? Why don’t we ever just take a break?’ And so we sort of designed it around his wanting to be able to chill for a minute after a lot of years of doing this, even though he chills a lot.”

Cunningham detailed how Deftones intentionally broke the writing into short sessions in different locations, beginning with Joshua Tree where they spent six days and walked away with five songs. Later sessions took place in Malibu, with breaks in between to “marinate” on the material. “The whole record was written in just maybe a month all put together, but over a long time, so we could kind of just chill and take a break. And then recording was in different locations as well. So it kind of makes it fun. It makes it breathe a bit.”

Cunningham also confirmed that bassist Fred Sablan, who officially replaced Sergio Vega in 2022, fully contributed to the writing of Private Music. “Fred has contributed to every song and was wonderful to write [with],” he said, noting Sablan‘s ability to honor both late bassist Chi Cheng‘s fingerstyle approach and Vega’s pick-driven sound while forging his own identity.

“He’s very cognizant, very respectful of both Chi‘s style and Sergio‘s style too, and trying to be himself as well.” Discussing the band’s ever-evolving sound, Cunningham stressed that their progression remains natural and collaborative, with nothing written until they’re all in a room together. “The most important part is the hang, how we’re hanging out, the vibe. Because then the music just kind of comes. We love each other, but it’s not always easy, man.”

Private Music was recorded in multiple locations across California, including Joshua Tree and Malibu, as well as in Nashville with Grammy-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz, marking the band’s third collaboration with him following Diamond Eyes in 2010 and Koi No Yokan in 2012.

The album arrives as Deftones continue to rack up milestones, with the RIAA recently awarding new certifications: White Pony has gone double platinum, Diamond Eyes platinum, “Be Quiet and Drive” double platinum, and the iconic “Change (In the House of Flies)” four times platinum.

Private Music is available here. You can also catch Deftones at one of their many tour dates below in support of the new record. Get your tickets here.

8/22 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/24 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/25 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/27 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Centre (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/29 Minneapolis, MN Target Center (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/30 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
9/1 Buffalo, NY Key Bank Center (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
9/3 Toronto, ON Rogers Stadium (w/ System Of A Down, Polyphia & Wisp)
9/5 Toronto, ON Rogers Stadium (w/ System Of A Down, Polyphia & Wisp)
9/7 Quebec City, QC Centre Videotron (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
9/8 Montreal, QC Bell Centre (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/10 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/11 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/13 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/15 Denver, CO Ball Arena (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/17 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/19 Atlanta, GA Shaky Knees
9/20 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life
10/3 Sacramento, CA Aftershock