. Since their formation in 1988, they have transcended the "nu-metal" label they were once given, evolving into a group that feels more like an atmosphere than a genre. The Sound of Tension
The 2008 car accident that left bassist Chi Cheng brain-damaged (he died in 2013) nearly broke them. They channeled that grief into Diamond Eyes (2010)—a surprisingly life-affirming, heavy album that reinvented them again. Since then, with Sergio Vega (and now Fred Sablan on bass), they've only deepened their sound, with 2020's Ohms being a late-career high point. Deftones
While their peers were busy perfecting the aggressive staccato riffs and angst-ridden lyrics of the nu-metal explosion, Deftones were quietly building a different kind of architecture. They became the "shoegaze Smiths" of the heavy music world, a band that could deliver a crushing blow to the chest one moment and whisper a lullaby in your ear the next. This is the story of how Deftones survived trends, tragedy, and time to become one of the most respected acts in modern rock. They channeled that grief into Diamond Eyes (2010)—a
However, even in these embryonic stages, Chino Moreno offered something different. His vocal delivery wasn't just rapping or screaming; it was a dynamic instrument capable of terrifying shrieks but also a haunting, melodic croon. Critics initially dismissed them as just another nu-metal act, a tag that the band would spend the next decade aggressively shedding. But the fans knew better. Adrenaline became a slow-burn success, selling hundreds of thousands of copies through word-of-mouth, establishing a fiercely loyal fanbase that sensed the potential lurking beneath the surface. They became the "shoegaze Smiths" of the heavy
In an era where rock music is often declared "dead," stand as a living, breathing contradiction. They are too heavy for radio pop, too pretty for hardcore, and too weird for mainstream rock—and that is exactly why they have survived.
No article about is complete without addressing the shadow of Chi Cheng. On November 4, 2008, the beloved bassist was involved in a horrific car accident that left him in a coma. The band entered a state of suspended animation.
. Since their formation in 1988, they have transcended the "nu-metal" label they were once given, evolving into a group that feels more like an atmosphere than a genre. The Sound of Tension
The 2008 car accident that left bassist Chi Cheng brain-damaged (he died in 2013) nearly broke them. They channeled that grief into Diamond Eyes (2010)—a surprisingly life-affirming, heavy album that reinvented them again. Since then, with Sergio Vega (and now Fred Sablan on bass), they've only deepened their sound, with 2020's Ohms being a late-career high point.
While their peers were busy perfecting the aggressive staccato riffs and angst-ridden lyrics of the nu-metal explosion, Deftones were quietly building a different kind of architecture. They became the "shoegaze Smiths" of the heavy music world, a band that could deliver a crushing blow to the chest one moment and whisper a lullaby in your ear the next. This is the story of how Deftones survived trends, tragedy, and time to become one of the most respected acts in modern rock.
However, even in these embryonic stages, Chino Moreno offered something different. His vocal delivery wasn't just rapping or screaming; it was a dynamic instrument capable of terrifying shrieks but also a haunting, melodic croon. Critics initially dismissed them as just another nu-metal act, a tag that the band would spend the next decade aggressively shedding. But the fans knew better. Adrenaline became a slow-burn success, selling hundreds of thousands of copies through word-of-mouth, establishing a fiercely loyal fanbase that sensed the potential lurking beneath the surface.
In an era where rock music is often declared "dead," stand as a living, breathing contradiction. They are too heavy for radio pop, too pretty for hardcore, and too weird for mainstream rock—and that is exactly why they have survived.
No article about is complete without addressing the shadow of Chi Cheng. On November 4, 2008, the beloved bassist was involved in a horrific car accident that left him in a coma. The band entered a state of suspended animation.
