As previously reported, the Deftones will return this Spring with the much anticipated followup to 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist. Diamond Eyes is its name and May 18th will be the day of its release (through Reprise Records). The album will be proceeded by single #1, “Rocket Skates”, on February 23rd.

Coming some 18 months after bassist Chi Cheng’s near fatal accident, the album hears Quicksand’s Sergio Vega filling in on bass and Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Alice in Chains) serving as producer, and promises to be a “heavier, more insistent record that more accurately represented how they felt as a group.” For more insight, read singer Chino Moreno’s recent interview with Spin.com (via Antiquiet).

So far, the Deftones plan to support the release with appearances at this year’s Rock on the Range in Columbus, OH and Download Festival in Donnington Park, UK. More dates will surely come soon and we’ll of course post them as soon as we get them.