Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and the producer of his band’s new album Bob Ezrin have gone head to head after comments Moreno made in Canadian music magazine Chart.

In the interview, which was supposed to be about the singer’s side project Team Sleep, but when things eventually moved around to the subject of his main band and what it was like to work with Ezrin he said, “Oh, it was, you know, whatever. I’d rather not. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything, really. There were times when we really got along and I learned a lot of things from him but there were a lot of times when he’s in his own world where he thinks he knows what’s best and he doesn’t know what’s best, really. It just wasn’t fun to do and it wasn’t a fun record to make. The music turned out rad. It’s just when you’re making a record, especially when you’re working on vocals, I’ve only worked with a couple of producers and most of the records I’ve done with Terry Date. The reason we chose Ezrin is because we wanted to do something different, but I learned that different isn’t always good. If we want to make a different album, it’s something that we do on our own, not something some producer comes in and says we should do.”

The producer, who has worked with acts including Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiction and Pink Floyd hit back in a telephone interview for Chart’s website www.chartattack.com hit back at the singer, suggesting that any problems are his own and that his commitments to Team Sleep have been causing delays to the album and rifts within the band.

“Chino came unprepared, came late, missed days, didn’t show up,” said Ezrin. “The other guys in the Deftones are patiently waiting for this album to get finished so they can get on with their lives and their careers. I think they’re not happy about the fact that Chino went on the road with his side project before finishing his primary commitment.”

This statement runs contrary to reports that the fifth Deftones album has been completed. Ezrin says that not only is the album not finished but he may not be the one to see it to its conclusion: “I hope that the Team Sleep tour has inspired him and that he’s ready to go back and finish the album with whoever makes him comfortable.”

Despite this, Ezrin is quick to point out that he has no ill feeling for the singer, “To be clear, I really like him. I think he’s a charming, talented, smart, well-intentioned and very artful guy, but he’s got a problem with finishing things and he’s a blamer. Basically, Chino’s using me as an excuse for running out on his band and their album.”

When the new Deftones album will be released still remains a mystery, as does the extent to which it has been finished. However, an album and DVD featuring B-sides and rarities will be released on the 26th of September (Pre-order it here).

The tracklisting for the CD will be:

1. Savory (Jawbox cover)
2. Wax and Wane (Cocteau Twins cover)
3. Change (In the House of Flies) (acoustic)
4. Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
5. Sinatra (Helmet cover)
6. No Ordinary Love (Sade cover)
7. Teenager (Idiot Version)
8. Crenshaw Punch / I’ll Throw Rocks at You
9. Black Moon (Black Sabbath cover)
10. If Only Tonight We Could Sleep (The Cure cover)
11. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (The Smiths cover)
12. Digital Bath (Acoustic)
13. The Chauffeur (Duran Duran cover)
14. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) (Acoustic)

The DVD will feature music videos and behind the scenes footage.