Deftones: The Top 10 Songs That Defined a Genre

“Elite” is the harsh counterbalance on White Pony—an explosive, aggressive track that showcases the band’s raw power. Fast, vicious, and uncompromising, it highlights Stephen Carpenter’s heavy riff work and Abe Cunningham’s urgent drumming. The song earned Deftones critical accolades for demonstrating they could still deliver heavy-hitting metal while experimenting elsewhere on the same album. Often cited by fans as one of the band’s most intense songs, “Elite” won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2001. That recognition cemented Deftones’ credentials in both the mainstream and underground, proving their experimental tendencies didn’t dilute their ability to deliver pure sonic force.

Delicate and haunting, “Digital Bath” is a textbook example of White Pony’s softer, more experimental side. Subtle percussion, glistening guitars, and Chino’s intimate delivery make the song hypnotic. Lyrically and sonically, it’s sensual and unsettling in equal measure—capturing the album’s capacity to be both beautiful and eerie. The track’s production—layered with reverb and space—helped cement Deftones’ reputation for textural innovation. “Digital Bath” frequently appears on playlists that highlight the band’s more introspective material and has influenced artists seeking to fuse atmospheric soundscapes with heavy music.

Title track of the 2010 album, “Diamond Eyes” marked a triumphant return after a period of tragedy and uncertainty for the band. Following Chi Cheng’s severe accident, the band regrouped and produced a record that balanced resilience and uplift with heavy riffs and ethereal melodies. The song’s propulsive rhythm and memorable hook made it an instant live staple. “Diamond Eyes” helped reintroduce Deftones to a new decade of listeners while satisfying long-time fans craving both aggression and melody. The track’s optimistic intensity—carrying themes of endurance and clarity—underscored the band’s creative resurgence and remains one of their most powerful anthems.

“Passenger,” featuring a guest vocal by Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, is a brooding collaboration that merges two defining voices of the era. Built around a slow-burning groove and shimmering textures, the track showcases how Deftones could craft cinematic tension. Maynard’s cameo provides an additional layer of drama, making the song a standout on White Pony. Thematically and sonically, “Passenger” is a highlight of the band’s more experimental side. Live performances often leaned into its moodiness, and the collaboration itself became emblematic of the cross-pollination happening among alt-metal and progressive artists in the late 90s/early 2000s.

“Knife Prty” is a hypnotic, mid-tempo cut from White Pony that combines minimalism and menace. The track’s slinking riff and sparse arrangement create an unsettling groove that lets Chino’s lyrics and vocal textures take center stage. It’s a masterclass in restraint—showing Deftones’ ability to make tension feel as heavy as any down-tuned blast. White Pony is often hailed for its adventurousness, and “Knife Prty” exemplifies that risk-taking. The song didn’t need flashy showmanship to make an impression; its understated creepiness gives it lasting replay value and has made it a favorite among listeners who appreciate the band’s mood-driven side.

Released on their 2003 self-titled album, “Minerva” is a sweeping, melodic rocker that demonstrated Deftones’ increasing confidence with atmosphere and dynamics. The song’s soaring chorus and chiming guitar lines recall shoegaze textures, while the muscular low-end keeps the track rooted in alternative metal—an elegant blend that highlights the band’s signature contrasts. "Minerva" became one of the band’s most recognizable songs from the early 2000s and received considerable radio and video play. It stands as a mid-career touchstone: an accessible track that didn’t compromise the band’s experimental instincts, and a clear example of how Deftones kept broadening their sonic palette without losing intensity.

“Bored” is one of Deftones’ earliest statements, appearing on their debut album Adrenaline. Raw and direct, the track captures the band’s early energy—fast riffs, urgent drumming, and Chino Moreno’s mix of spoken intensity and melodic hints. As an early single, it introduced audiences to the band’s capacity for cathartic release while foreshadowing the more textured work to come. Though not as polished as later material, “Bored” remains important for understanding Deftones’ roots in the mid-90s alt-metal and post-hardcore scene. The song’s punk-infused aggression and immediacy make it a frequent favorite at early-set live moments, showcasing the band’s ability to channel teenage angst into tightly wound compositions.