93X reports: Deftones will look to turn the page on a year-and-a-half of tragedy and heartbreak when they return next April with their sixth studio album. The California outfit confirmed that the yet-to-be-titled followup to 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist will see release on April 27th, some 17 months after bassist Chi Cheng was severely injured in a car accident.

According to frontman Chino Moreno, Cheng’s November 2008 accident, which left him with life threatening injuries, massively influenced the sounds and ideals of Deftones. As a result, the band decided to throw out its previous collections of records, which were tentatively titled Eros, in order to create a “heavier, more insistent record that more accurately represented how they felt as a group.”

As Moreno went on to explain, the songs were written and recorded quickly with friend Sergio Vega filling in on bass and Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Alice in Chains) serving as producer. The entire project was finished in just two months.

“I honestly think it’s one of the best, if not the best records we’ve ever done,” Moreno said. “My favorite record is Around the Fur. It was written and recorded in four months, which was the fastest, easiest and funnest record we’ve ever made. This record totally has that feel to it.”

Moreno added that Cheng is slowly recovering from the accident. For all the latest updates on his condition, and to donate, visit oneloveforchi.com.