ICONIC frontman Chino Moreno praised the passion of Manchester fans after an energetic gig in front of 3,500 people at the Apollo.

His band Deftones have been visiting the city as part of their tours for more than 20 years and Moreno said he still loves coming back every time.

The five-piece are from Sacramento, California, so it is incredible when you think Manchester has that kind of worldwide reputation as a live music destination.

And if Deftones' gig was anything to go by it seems like the feeling is mutual between Moreno and the crowd.

The band released a new album last year, their eighth record Gore.

But instead of the show becoming a promotion for that, it featured a setlist seemingly tailor-made for long term fans.

To fans' delight there were five songs from their gold certified second album, Around The Fur, which is now 20 years old. 

There was a minor setback getting the sound right for the first couple of songs. 

But the band soon made up for this with highlights like the big metal riffs of Rocket Skates and the alternative, complex, almost hypnotic sound of Knife Prty.

The end of the gig (before the encore) was a treat too with the onslaught of one of Deftones' signature tunes, Be Quiet and Drive, and the heavy call to arms, Headup.

Moreno still has one of the most distinctive, versatile and powerful voices in rock which left the audience almost mesmerised at times – at least until the riffs sent them into another frenzy.

Finally shrugging off the 'nu-metal' label they always hated, the band seemed comfortable in their own skin and were enjoying every moment of it.