Chino Moreno Feels Shelved Deftones Album ‘Eros’ Should Be Released

For years, Deftones singer Chino Moreno maintained that 'Eros,' the final album the band recorded with late bassist Chi Cheng before he was injured in a car accident that left him in a semi-conscious state, would remain shelved. The singer, currently promoting his new Palms project with members of Isis, has changed his tune in the wake of Cheng's death in April 2013, intimating that the record could and should come down off the shelf where it's languished since 2008. All in due time, however.

"I get asked about that record a lot," Moreno acknowledged to MTV Hive. "For a while, I was giving the same answer, 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no.' After Chi's passing, I went back and listened to some of the record and it was a pretty intense experience to say the least."

That's putting it mildly. It's certainly special since it represents Cheng's final output with the band. While Moreno wanted to keep the material where it was, he has softened a bit to the idea of sharing it, with a caveat.

"I think it should be released, but we don't have any definite plans," he admitted. "There's some work to do on it. Deftones have been moving forward in a strong, positive motion, so for us to stop and reflect on something five years ago, I don't know if we're ready for that. I'm not sure that's where we want to put our energy. It is a special thing for us: it's the last thing Chi played on. It will see the light of day. I just don't know when." So Deftones fans hungry to hear 'Eros' might very well get their chance. There is hope.

Meanwhile, in present day, Moreno is exploring his heavy, atmospheric side even further with Palms. The band's self-titled debut disc drops today (June 25).