Artist of the Year: Deftones

## Deftones‘ Timeless Appeal: From Nu-Metal Pioneers to TikTok Sensations

Camila, a 16-year-old high school student in Los Angeles, holds her phone out, screen facing up, playing a grainy video of Deftones performing on a late-night talk show in 1999. The clip has the jumpy, staticky, lo-fi quality of VHS tapes from that era. “this popped up on TikTok,” she says.”It looks old time-y. It made me feel like I should have been born in that time.”

Next to Camila,her friend Miley,also 16,types “deftones” into TikTok on her own phone and flicks upward through the videos that load. One shows a young woman walking through nature, headphones on, singing along to a Deftones song. “Cool and sexy is the vibe they give off on TikTok,” Miley says.

Paola, their other friend, says she was introduced to the band by someone in middle school-“Before TikTok.” She remembers hearing longtime fans bristle at the band’s rediscovery. “[They] didn’t like people discovering them on TikTok as they said, ‘This is from our time.'”

If the three-decade-old group’s popularity in 2025 is any indication, Deftones are not bound to a particular era. The band’s critically and commercially acclaimed tenth album, *Private Music*, topped rock charts globally and entered the Top 5 of the *Billboard* 200.It’s also nominated for best rock album at the Grammys-the band’s fourth nomination including a 2001 win for Best Metal Performance for “Elite.”

According to The New York Times’ August 2025 feature on the band, deftones’ resurgence is only a few years old, bolstered in part by renewed interest in nu-metal. Early 2000s songs like “Cherry Waves,” “Hole in the Earth,” and “Change (In the House of Flies)” have become social media favorites,with the latter surpassing half a billion plays on spotify.The newspaper also reported that “last year, 50,000 tickets to a Deftones and System of a Down co-headlining show in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park sold out in 90 minutes.”

The group’s current elevated status is the culmination of 30 years of community building-albeit unintentionally. There are as many different entry points to Deftones as there are fans. Morgan, 32 and queer, said she first heard “Change (In the House of Flies)” during the sex scene in *Queen of the Damned*, which she watched in 2009, seven years after the movie’s release. She recalls, “I thought, ‘This is so cool.This is so sexy.’ The Deftones’ sound became associated with being cool and young forever.”

Bryan, 17,-neurodivergent and a burgeoning drummer## Deftones Don’t Chase Trends-They Transcend Them

For three decades, deftones have carved out a singular space in the option music landscape. They’ve done it not by adhering to genre conventions, but by consistently expanding their sonic palette and trusting their instincts. Their ninth studio album, *Private Music*, released earlier this year, is a testament to that ethos. It’s a record that feels both intimately personal and expansive, a natural progression for a band that has always defied easy categorization.

deftones’ sound is a complex tapestry woven from heavy riffs, atmospheric textures, and Chino Moreno’s haunting vocals. It’s a sound that draws from a surprisingly diverse range of influences, from the aggressive energy of metal to the ethereal beauty of dream pop. Moreno’s eclectic tastes-he frequently cites Depeche Mode, the Cure, sade, and even Duran Duran as inspirations-have been crucial in shaping the band’s unique identity.

That breadth carries over to their one-day Deftones Day festival, which marked its sixth iteration this past November. The vibe reflects both the band’s Latin heritage and the wide-ranging tastes that have long informed their music. on curating the festival, Moreno told Revolver“I equate it to making a mixtape, but with live groups, bringing different genres together.” This year’s lineup featured Clipse, 2hollis, rico Nasty, Deafheaven, Régulo Caro, Ecca Vandal, Glare, University, and Deftones themselves, who, at their own festival, play extended sets that include deep cuts and rarities.Their catalog is so hefty, they don’t need to write another song. They coudl tour based on their first handful of albums alone, reinvigorating audiences with reissues.

*Private Music* is the first Deftones album recorded with a sober Moreno. It also marks the first appearance of bassist Fred Sablan (from Marilyn Manson) and the band’s third collaboration with producer Nick Raskulinecz. That established working relationship shaped the sessions, according to drummer Abe Cunningham, who told Again!: “…when you have that trust built and Nick suggests something you try it. It might be amazing.”

That sense of trust extends beyond the internal workings of Deftones to their cross-generational, global community. Their grind has been steady, rooted in bonds formed when the members where young kids in Northern California.At the time of their 1995 debut, *Adrenaline*-the first metal album released on Madonna’s Maverick label-the band were frequently slotted into the nu-metal category. But Moreno’s oft-cited love for Depeche Mode, the cure, Sade, Cocteau Twins, the Smiths, and even Duran Duran and Culture Club helped shape an alt-metal sound that resisted easy classification and set Deftones apart from their peers.

(Credit: Tamar Levine)

Deftones’ Enduring Connection: Creativity, Authenticity, and a Passion for the Music

Deftones, the influential alternative metal band, continues to resonate with a diverse and dedicated fanbase thanks to their commitment to honest self-expression and a collaborative creative process. While their latest album, Private Music, originated from a collection of song ideas, the band’s true magic unfolds when they come together as a unit. This dedication to their art, coupled with a genuine recognition for their audience, has fostered a deep and lasting connection spanning generations.

The Collaborative Spark Behind Private Music

The title Private Music refers to a folder of initial ideas on vocalist Chino Moreno’s computer, but the final album wasn’t simply a collection of pre-existing concepts. According to Moreno, the band’s signature sound is born from their interactions and shared creativity. the album represents a culmination of their collective effort, rather then a direct translation of individual starting points.

Authenticity and Global Resonance

Deftones’ music transcends boundaries, connecting with listeners across racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and generational divides. This broad appeal stems from the band’s unwavering commitment to authenticity. They create music that is a genuine reflection of their experiences and perspectives, fostering a sense of relatability and understanding with their audience.

A Grateful Approach to a Lifelong Passion

In a recent interview with revolver, Moreno emphasized the band’s gratitude for their longevity and the continued support of their fans. He stated, “Just the music matters at this point. We sit around, we talk a lot, and bullshit a lot amongst the creative part of it, but it doesn’t feel like a job. We’re all very grateful that after so many years we actually have the opportunity to do it, and that people care.” https://www.revolvermag.com/feature/deftones-on-private-music-dia-de-los-deftones-and-surprising-sources-of-inspiration/

This sentiment highlights the band’s enduring passion for their craft and their appreciation for the community that has grown around their music. Deftones’ success isn’t simply about creating music; it’s about fostering a connection with their listeners built on honesty, authenticity, and a shared love for the art form.