DEFTONES SHELF 'EROS', ARE BEING WEIRD

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng remains unable to perform following critical injuries sustained in a car crash in November. Meanwhile, the band has carefully and slowly played a few dates with Sergio formerly of Quicksand. That's all old news but what sent my bowtie spinning is a report that Eros, uncompleted at the time of the accident, will not be the sixth Deftones record. Via Blabbermouth:

The songs recorded for Eros are very special to us as they are the latest with Chi (and we certainly hope not the last); they have history and significant meaning to us. However, as we neared completion on Eros, we realized that this record doesn't best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians. We collectively made the decision that we needed to take a new approach, and with Chi's condition heavy on our minds while doing so.

[We decided to return] to the studio to do what we felt was right artistically. Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music, and deliver to our fans what you rightly deserve: the best Deftones record that we can make. The decision to hold off on releasing Eros has no connection with Chi's condition or anything associated. 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 [?? - ed.] 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 every day when we step into that studio, and you will feel it in the music.

This is so weird. The emphasis in this statement is placed on three points: 1) Eros'sesses non-release is unconnected to Cheng's injury; 2) the 'unity' and 'inspiration' is now 'stronger' than ever -- despite Cheng's absence; 3) the band plans to record and release their 'best record' -- again without contributions from Cheng. I've been wall-staring for an eternity and the most-positive scenario I can come up with is that they want to write to and for Cheng a brand new album that will stir him to recovery. That or I guess the band feels Eros reeks and simply must not be released. Maybe they're gunshy after the ill-executed self-titled album in 2003 and brilliant Saturday Night Wrist. Weirrrrd.