Deftones

Biography

Formed in 1988 in Sacramento, California, Deftones became one of the most distinctive voices in alternative metal. Led by the chameleon vocals of Chino Moreno, they blend heavy riffs, dreamlike atmospheres and haunting melodies, resisting easy labels. Their debut, Adrenaline, initially tied them to the mid 1990s nu metal wave, before Around the Fur and above all White Pony revealed a rare artistic ambition. The band endured painful hardship, including the accident and later passing of bassist Chi Cheng. Still active today, Deftones keep exploring sonic textures with real care, and they have inspired several generations of musicians working at the crossroads of metal and experimentation.