Deftones are an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California, in 1988. The lineup consists of vocalist Chino Moreno, guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham, keyboardist/DJ Frank Delgado, and bassist Sergio Vega, who replaced original bassist Chi Cheng following a tragic car accident that eventually led to Cheng's death in 2013. Known for their atmospheric, dynamic, and heavy sound, Deftones have consistently pushed the boundaries of hard rock, metal, and alternative music, interweaving elements of shoegaze, trip-hop, and post-rock into their oeuvre. They gained mainstream recognition with their 1997 album "Around the Fur" and subsequent release "White Pony" in 2000, which earned critical acclaim for its innovative approach to metal and won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the track "Elite."

Over the decades, Deftones have maintained a fiercely loyal fan base and a reputation for artistic integrity amidst changing musical trends. Their discography is marked by a refusal to remain static, as seen in their tendency to explore sonically diverse territories while still retaining a core of powerful guitar riffs, emotive melodies, and Moreno's distinctive vocal range, which can shift from haunting whispers to aggressive screams. With the release of "Ohms" in 2020, their ninth studio album, Deftones continued to solidify their place as genre-defying artists, unafraid to evolve and challenge themselves and their listeners. The album was well-received, adding to their legacy of influential releases that have shaped the sound of modern metal and alt-rock. Despite personal tragedies and industry challenges, Deftones' longevity and creative output remain testaments to their enduring impact on the music world.

Genres

Alternative Metal

Nu Metal

Rap Metal

Rock

Sacramento Indie

Related Artists

TOOL

A Perfect Circle

Chevelle

Korn

Thrice

Glassjaw

System Of A Down

Alice In Chains

Incubus

Nine Inch Nails

Mastodon

Porcupine Tree

Latest Release

Ceremony (WHOKILLEDXIX Ceremonial Version)

Deftones•

WHOKILLEDXIX

Single - Released June 4, 2021