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Deftones

Deftones are one of the most influential alternative metal bands ever. Formed in Sacramento in 1988, they became known for blending heavy riffs, dreamy atmospheres, emotional vocals and experimental songwriting into a sound that helped shape modern metal and alternative rock.

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Formed 1988

Origin Sacramento, California

Genre Alternative Metal

Latest Album private music

About Deftones

Deftones formed in Sacramento in 1988 and gradually became one of the most respected and distinctive bands in heavy music. Their early work helped define alternative metal in the 1990s, but they stood out by bringing in shoegaze textures, post-rock atmosphere and a much more emotional, spacious sound than many of their peers.

Albums like Around the Fur, White Pony, Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan helped make Deftones one of the most influential bands in modern rock and metal. Their latest studio album is private music, released in 2025.

Where To Start With Deftones

Biggest songs Change (In the House of Flies) • My Own Summer • Be Quiet and Drive

For heavier Deftones Engine No. 9 • Diamond Eyes • My Mind Is a Mountain

For dreamy / atmospheric Deftones Sextape • Rosemary • Cherry Waves

Top 10 Deftones Songs

1. Change (In the House of Flies) Deftones’ most famous song and one of the clearest examples of their ability to mix darkness, melody and atmosphere.

2. My Own Summer (Shove It) A crushing riff-driven classic that helped establish Deftones as one of the most important heavy bands of the late 1990s.

3. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) A fan favourite that perfectly captures the band’s emotional, dreamy and heavy side all at once.

4. Digital Bath One of the standout songs from White Pony, balancing beauty, tension and a haunting mood.

5. Diamond Eyes A massive modern Deftones track with a huge chorus and one of the strongest comeback singles in their catalogue.

6. Sextape A dreamy and emotional song that shows how beautifully Deftones can lean into atmosphere and melody.

7. Rosemary One of the band’s most expansive later-era songs, building from ambience into crushing heaviness.

8. Cherry Waves A cult favourite with a hypnotic mood and one of Chino Moreno’s most memorable vocal performances.

9. Minerva A soaring and emotional rock anthem that became one of the key songs of the self-titled era.

10. My Mind Is a Mountain One of the lead songs from private music and a strong example of the band’s current heavy and atmospheric sound.

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Deftones Fun Facts

Deftones formed in Sacramento, California in 1988.
White Pony is widely considered one of the most important alternative metal albums ever.
The band are known for blending metal, shoegaze, post-rock and alternative influences.
private music was released on August 22, 2025 as the band’s tenth studio album.

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Buy Deftones Albums

Classic Album

White Pony (2000)

The band’s landmark album and one of the most important alternative metal releases ever, featuring Change and Digital Bath.

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Fan Favourite

Diamond Eyes (2010)

A huge comeback album with a sharper modern sound and standout songs like Diamond Eyes and Sextape.

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Latest Album

private music (2025)

Deftones’ tenth studio album, led by songs like My Mind Is a Mountain and Milk of the Madonna.

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Deftones FAQs

When did Deftones start? Deftones formed in 1988 in Sacramento, California.

What is Deftones’ most famous song? “Change (In the House of Flies)” is widely considered their most famous song, though “My Own Summer” and “Be Quiet and Drive” are also major favourites.

What is the best Deftones album? Many fans rank White Pony as the best Deftones album, while Around the Fur and Diamond Eyes are also highly rated.