The Deftones' new album Diamond Eyes is a rousing return to form for the Sacramento, California-based band. Only thing is, it isn't the record they were planning to make. Not by a long shot.

"We were kind of forced to make this album by circumstances that definitely were not of our choosing," says guitarist Stephen Carpenter. "Although we're very proud of it and, in many ways, we do think it's one of the best records we've ever made, a big part of us wishes things would have turned out much differently."

Carpenter is referring to the early November 2008 car crash that almost took the life of longtime Deftones bassist Chi Cheng. The accident left Cheng in a coma, and even today he is in what is described as a 'semi-conscious state.'

For a while the group (the lineup also includes singer-guitarist Chino Moreno, drummer Abe Cunningham and DJ/keyboardist Frank Delgado), which had almost finished recording an album to be called Eros with producer Terry Date, held out hope that their friend and bandmate would recover and rejoin them, but when it became sadly apparent that Cheng's condition was of a permanent nature, they enlisted Sergio Vega (ex-bassist for Quicksand) to help them out.

"I was more than happy to step in," says Vega, "but at the same time I wish things weren't what they are. Basically, I'm trying to help the band make the best of a very tough situation, and I think we've all come through this ordeal extraordinarily well - and with an album that's pretty darned terrific."

Diamond Eyes, produced by Nick Raskulincz (Rush, Foo Fighters) is a sonic joyride, and a surprisingly upbeat affair. "We didn't want to make a downer album," says Carpenter. "What would be the point in that?"

On songs such as Rocket Skates and the title cut, the group, true to their signature sound, shift deftly from a whisper to a scream, with Carpenter creating intoxicating blankets of guitar textures and new man Vega contributing nimble, rolling basslines that fit seamlessly in the Deftones' pockets of shadows and light.

MusicRadar recently sat down with Carpenter and Vega to find out the status of Chi Cheng, and also how the band triumphed over what many saw as insurmountable odds.

Diamond Eyes is such an impressive record. How close were you to finishing Eros, the album you were recording at the time of Chi's accident?

Carpenter: "We were about 70-75 percent finished with Eros. Musically, we were completely finished with that one - we were just waiting for Chino to finish the vocals, and I'd say he was more than half done."

How is Chi? What's the status of his condition?

Carpenter: "At this very moment, I can't really say. Fans can always get information on the oneloveforchi.com website. Last time I saw him, he was just out of his accident. That was… I don't like to see my friend like that, so I'm… I'm kind of detached from it."