It was the second single recorded without bassist Chi Cheng, due to a coma induced by an automobile accident in November 2008.

Former Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega played bass on the single as well as the entire Diamond Eyes album.

On March 16, the first teaser trailer in a three-part sequence was posted on the website, featuring artwork for the new album and accompanied by clips from the "Diamond Eyes" single.

In December 2010, "Diamond Eyes" was remixed by Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter's side project, Sol Invicto.

The song was characterized as nu metal[4] and compared to the band's Around the Fur material.