Deftones

Blending the bludgeoning power of metal with the detailing of shoegaze and the ambition of prog rock, Deftones have influenced the modern-rock landscape in many ways. Formed in Sacramento, CA, in 1988, the group, led by vocalist/guitarist Chino Moreno, had a fluctuating lineup early on, with the membership falling into place around 1993. In the chaotic world of ’90s alt-rock, they were an underground success, their fanbase steadily growing thanks to constant touring and devoted listeners spreading the word. Their 2000 breakthrough, White Pony, was a creative leap for the band, incorporating shoegaze’s shimmer and post-rock’s sprawl into its sound while spotlighting Moreno’s haunting, soaring vocals. The 2003 release Deftones, highlighted by the fuzzed-out single “Minerva,” and 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist continued their evolution. Longtime bassist Chi Cheng was seriously injured in a car crash in 2008, and the band put things on hold for a while, releasing Diamond Eyes in 2010. Deftones ascended to elder statesmen of hard rock in the 2010s, recording albums that added breadth and depth to their sonic arsenal; a 2020 remix release of White Pony with Mike Shinoda and DJ Shadow among the many remixers serves as testament to their wide influence.