Deftones Guitarist Stephen Carpenter Responds To ‘Eros’ Leak: ‘It Happens’

One of the most talked about unreleased records in alternative metal has resurfaced in conversation again, but according to Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter, album leaks are nothing new for the band.

Following reports that a large batch of unreleased Deftones recordings recently appeared online, including material connected to the long abandoned Eros sessions and early demos from Ohms, Carpenter addressed the situation during an appearance on B-Real’s The Dr. Greenthumb Show on June 24th.

Asked whether Eros had leaked and subsequently disappeared from the internet, Carpenter downplayed the shock factor:

“I don’t know if it’s been scraped from the internet or not, and I don’t know to what extent it’s leaked, but every record of ours since ‘White Pony’ has leaked. It happens.”

Stephen Carpenter on Dr. Greenthumb Show

Eros leak

The reported leak has reignited long running fascination around Eros, the unfinished Deftones record that became permanently tied to one of the band’s most difficult chapters.

Originally recorded during sessions in 2007–2008, Eros was set to become the Sacramento outfit’s sixth album and the final project featuring bassist Chi Cheng. After Cheng suffered a catastrophic car accident in late 2008, later passing away in 2013 following years of complications, the band ultimately moved on creatively, shelving the project in favour of what became Diamond Eyes.

During the interview, host B-Real suggested leaks often originate from somewhere inside the recording or label process, Carpenter agreed the source usually exists somewhere along the chain but pointed to how impossible containment becomes once files escape.

“Yeah, [the leaker is] somewhere in the chain. But I mean the reality is now people have the internet available and you can share stuff instantly. So once it gets on the web, yeah, it’s gone.”

When told Eros songs had surfaced again on YouTube, Carpenter added:

“They’ve been on YouTube though for a long time, that’s how I listen to them.”

While fans remain divided over hearing unfinished recordings, Deftones themselves still haven’t officially commented on the latest leak (per The PRP).