Deftones fans woke up to a seismic moment on June 22, 2026, when unreleased material from the band’s long-mysterious Eros album — recorded in 2008 but shelved following bassist Chi Cheng’s tragic car accident — reportedly leaked online, sparking intense discussions about respect, closure, and the ethics of consuming unfinished art.
The leak, which surfaced briefly on fan forums and message boards before being taken down, reportedly included 11 tracks with working titles such as “Destiny,” “Brenda,” “Melanie,” “Smile,” “Margot,” “Candy,” “Sable,” “Electra,” “Trempest,” “Diamond,” and “Briana.” Some files also featured Ohms-era demos, including a previously unheard b-side. While questions remain about the authenticity of every file, the material circulated long enough to ignite passionate reactions across Reddit and other communities.
Eros was intended as the follow-up to 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist. Sessions with producer Terry Date featured the classic lineup, including the late Chi Cheng on bass. Tragically, Cheng’s November 2008 car accident in Santa Clara, California, left him in a minimally conscious state until his passing in 2013 at age 42. The band ultimately pivoted, bringing in Sergio Vega on bass and channeling their grief into the powerful Diamond Eyes (2010), widely seen as a career resurgence.
The Moral Dilemma Dividing the Fanbase
The leak has left many longtime devotees wrestling with guilt versus curiosity. In a widely discussed Reddit thread, one fan articulated the emotional weight: “This was Chi Cheng’s final work before his accident… For us, it’s ‘unreleased hype,’ but for Chino, Steph, Abe, and Frank, these files are literally the ghost of their best friend. Reopening this stuff is probably incredibly painful.”
Others acknowledged the band’s clear stance. In a 2025 Guardian interview, frontman Chino Moreno stated that Eros would “most likely never see the light of day,” explaining the difficulty of revisiting that painful period and completing unfinished ideas. Only “Smile” had previously seen limited release in 2014 as a tribute to Cheng before being pulled, and a live debut in 2019.
Yet not every reaction was one of restraint. Some fans described the leak as providing long-awaited closure. One listener shared, “Do I feel guilty?… Yes. But having been a fan since Adrenaline, has Eros filled a huge musical void?… Of course it has.” Impressions of the music ranged from praise for atmospheric tracks like “Destiny” and emotional moments in “Brenda” to notes that the raw, unfinished mixes felt “frustratingly reserved” compared to the band’s heavier output.
What the Leak Reveals About Deftones’ Evolution
For those who heard the material, it offered a fascinating glimpse into a transitional phase — heavier riffs mixed with the smoldering, atmospheric sound that would define later records. While far from polished, fans noted strong potential in songs like “Candy,” “Sable,” “Melanie,” and “Electra.” The experience has prompted speculation about whether the band might now reconsider an official release or expanded reissues, though no statements have come from Deftones as of yet.
Deftones remain one of alternative metal’s most influential acts, blending nu-metal roots with experimental shoegaze and atmospheric textures across classics like White Pony, Around the Fur, and more recent acclaimed works such as 2025’s Private Music. Their 2026 plans include a European tour starting August 16 in Vienna and a fall appearance at Sick New World festival in Texas.
This leak arrives amid broader conversations in music about unreleased archives, artist intent, and fan access in the streaming era. For Deftones supporters, it’s a reminder of the deep emotional ties binding the band and their community — especially the enduring legacy of Chi Cheng.
Whether this fuels official action or remains a bittersweet underground chapter, the Eros saga continues to captivate, highlighting why Deftones’ music resonates so profoundly even in its rawest forms.
