Live Review: Deftones, Letlive

letlive. vocalist Jason Aalon Butler ramps up the intensity toward the end of the set with his acrobatic antics, climbing up on the outside edge of the first floor balcony and running along its length, clinging precariously to the railing before jumping back down on stage. He then pulls the entire drum kit out of position mid-song and takes a running jump over it, in between flinging himself around the stage. Such feats could end badly, but he manages to pull them off while the rest of the band churn out their Glassjaw-influenced post-hardcore with almost as much energy. letlive. finish in front of a packed house and leave a very positive impression.

Deftones incite a remarkable amount of devotion from their fans. The atmosphere is crackling with anticipation for their entrance, and it's like a psychic explosion when they do appear. During opener Rocket Skates the crowd screams “Guns, razors, kniiiiiiiives!” in full voice with vocalist Chino Moreno, who has to be one of the most adored frontmen in rock. When he stage dives into the crowd he's supported by a forest of hands, and when he later stands at the barrier singing with arm outstretched it's like the second coming as punters desperately scramble to make contact with their idol. Deftones mean business tonight and surge through Diamond Eyes, Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away), My Own Summer (Shove It) and Lhabia without a break, and this impressive start is an early reminder of just how many great songs they've produced over the last 18 years.

Moreno straps on an SG for the first change in gears with Rosemary, but even on this slower, more melodic track drummer Abe Cunningham hits the kit so hard he sends shards of drumstick flying to the front of the stage. That's one of the secrets to the Deftones' unique sound – where most bands would lay back on this kind of song they smash through it, turning what is effectively a ballad into a driving, powerful epic. Contrasts fuel the band's approach and have helped them outlast many of their now forgotten '90s peers. The dynamic interplay between the cutting metal riffs of guitarist Stephen Carpenter, the alternating spoken, melodic and screaming vocals of Moreno, thumping rhythms of Cunningham and bassist Sergio Vega and atmospheric textures of Frank Delgado results in powerful, emotional songs that fuse brutality and light, beauty and darkness.

There's only one mention of tragically recently deceased bassist Chi Cheng, when Moreno briefly screams “Chi Cheng, Chi Cheng, Chi Cheng!” during Headup, in the parts Chi used to sing, and it's a fitting way of showing he may be gone, but never forgotten. The encore is an explosive combination of first album favourites Engine No 9 and 7 Words, and it's a measure of how far the band have come that these aren't even their best songs, though they still pack enough energy to provide an intense finish. Deftones are in the best form of their career right now and tonight they show everyone firsthand why they're one of the most talented and original sounding rock bands around.