When it comes to alternative metal, few names are as influential as Deftones. Known for their blend of heavy, distorted guitar riffs and cryptic, atmospheric lyrics, Deftones have built up a devoted fanbase over the years.
However, with such a rich catalogue of songs, it can be difficult to definitively rank their top 10 best tracks. That being said, this article aims to showcase some of the standout tracks that truly encompass what makes Deftones such a unique band.
Song 10: “Rocket Skates” (Diamond Eyes)
Diamond Eyes was the first Deftones album following their bassist Chi Cheng’s car accident that left him in a coma for several years. Despite the setback, the band managed to come back stronger than ever, their music at full throttle with tracks like “Rocket Skates.” With a chugging riff and infectious chorus, “Rocket Skates” is a prime example of Deftones’ ability to create a perfect balance between aggression and melody.
Song 9: “Leathers” (Koi No Yokan)
Similar to “Rocket Skates,” “Leathers” sees Deftones at their heaviest and most abrasive. The song’s propulsive rhythm section is almost tribal, while the guitars swell and attack with each verse.
Despite the punishing sludge, “Leathers” remains a catchy, memorable tune and a standout track from the band’s 2012 album Koi No Yokan. Song 8: “Back to School (Mini Maggit)” (The Matrix Reloaded Soundtrack)
While Deftones is often credited with inventing the nu-metal subgenre, they were never content with sticking to the expected formula.
“Back to School (Mini Maggit)” was a reworked version of their hit single “Pink Maggit,” which served as a critique of the mainstream music industry. The Matrix Reloaded soundtrack saw the band merge that song’s cynical lyrics with a propulsive, upbeat dance beat that’s guaranteed to get stuck in your head.
Song 7: “Bored” (Adrenaline)
Deftones’ debut album, Adrenaline, was a raw, unfiltered showcase of the band’s potential. Despite their rough edges, songs like “Bored” demonstrated the band’s early mastery of combining metal and punk influences.
The song has an infectious chorus that’s easy to sing along to, while the guitars and drums pound away in the background. Song 6: “Cherry Waves” (Saturday Night Wrist)
Saturday Night Wrist was Deftones’ fifth album, and it saw the band incorporating more experimental, shoegaze-influenced elements into their sound.
“Cherry Waves” is a dreamy, ethereal track that sees the band explore the softer side of their music, with frontman Chino Moreno’s vocals floating over delicate guitars and shimmering cymbals. Song 5: “My Own Summer (Shove It)” (Around the Fur)
“My Own Summer (Shove It)” remains one of Deftones’ most well-known tracks, and it’s not hard to see why.
The song’s main riff is instantly recognizable and has been covered by countless other bands. However, what sets “My Own Summer” apart is its ability to shift gears between blistering metal and slow, melodic interludes, the latter of which features some of Chino Moreno’s best vocal work.
Song 4: “Nosebleed” (Adrenaline)
Another standout from Adrenaline, “Nosebleed” is a pure adrenaline rush of a track. Its opening riff is one of Deftones’ most iconic, and the song as a whole is a relentless attack on the senses.
Moreno’s vocals are both aggressive and dynamic, and the band’s guitars and drums build and release tension over and over again. Song 3: “Sextape” (Diamond Eyes)
Despite its name, “Sextape” isn’t a particularly salacious track.
Instead, it’s a delicate, swirling ballad that showcases Deftones’ more introspective side. The song’s chiming, clean guitars and atmospheric production make it a standout from Diamond Eyes, and the slow-burning build of the song’s climax is both cathartic and haunting.
Song 2: “Mx” (Adrenaline)
Another classic from Adrenaline, “Mx” is notable for its use of sampling and idiosyncratic, off-kilter rhythm. The song’s main riff is both simple and effective, and the band’s use of breakbeats and electronic drums give the song a futuristic, cyberpunk feel.
Combine that with Chino Moreno’s anguished screams, and you have a track that’s both ahead of its time and a crucial part of Deftones’ legacy. Song 1: “Change (In the House of Flies)” (White Pony)
It’s almost impossible to talk about Deftones’ legacy without mentioning “Change (In the House of Flies).” Taken from the band’s seminal third album, White Pony, “Change” is a haunting, atmospheric ballad that manages to be both beautiful and eerie.
Moreno’s vocals are delivered in a hushed whisper, while the instrumentation builds in intensity until the cathartic release of its chorus. “Change” remains a masterpiece, and a definitive showcase of Deftones’ singular sound.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Deftones’ top 10 Playlists are a testament to their ability to blend disparate genres and elements into something truly unique. Whether it’s their heavier, more aggressive tracks or their dreamy, shoegaze-influenced ballads, Deftones have always managed to remain one step ahead of the curve.
While it may be difficult to definitively rank their top 10 Playlists, the tracks showcased in this article are a good starting point for anyone wanting to get into the band’s music. Deftones are a band that has always been difficult to categorize.
While they are often labeled as alternative metal, they have always experimented with and incorporated different genres and techniques into their sound. This has resulted in a diverse catalogue of music, each song showcasing a different aspect of the band’s unique sound.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the top 10 songs by Deftones to analyze their instrumentation, lyrics, and themes. Song 10: “Rocket Skates”
“Rocket Skates” opens with a sinister guitar riff and a pounding drumbeat that quickly launches into a full-blown sonic assault.
The loud, distorted guitars complement the powerful and energetic drumming, creating a sense of urgency. Frontman Chino Moreno’s vocals are raw and gritty, adding to the song’s intensity.
The lyrics of “Rocket Skates” revolve around themes of addiction and escapism. The song’s central metaphor of “rocket skates” represents the need for speed and instant gratification, which is a common aspect of addiction.
Moreno sings, “I’ve got the same old taste/On the tip of my tongue/As the twist of fate/Made my life undone,” suggesting that the addiction has taken over his life and that he’s stuck in a cycle he can’t break. Song 9: “Leathers”
“Leathers” is a heavy and atmospheric track that features a thunderous drumbeat and heavy, distorted guitars.
Moreno’s vocals are haunting and ethereal, supported by layers of atmospheric effects. The song builds up to a powerful chorus that features the repeated refrain, “Guns, razors, knives.”
The lyrics of “Leathers” are cryptic and open to interpretation.
Some fans have interpreted the song as being about the band’s bassist, Chi Cheng, who was in a coma at the time of the album’s recording. The repeated refrain of “Guns, razors, knives” suggests a sense of violence or danger, perhaps reflecting the uncertain state of Cheng’s health.
Song 8: “Back to School (Mini Maggit)”
“Back to School (Mini Maggit)” is a remix of the song “Pink Maggit” from Deftones’ third album, White Pony. The song features a catchy, danceable beat, distorted guitars, and Moreno’s signature emotive vocals.
The chorus is memorable and anthemic, with Moreno singing, “Back to school/All you teachers, stop that dreaming.”
The lyrics of “Back to School (Mini Maggit)” are critical of society’s obsession with conformity and education as a means of achieving success. The song’s chorus suggests that the education system is designed to stifle creativity and enforce conformity.
The song’s hook, “All you teachers, stop that dreaming,” is a call to action for teachers and authority figures to change their ways and allow for more freedom of expression. Song 7: “Bored”
“Bored” is one of Deftones’ signature songs, featuring a simple but effective guitar riff that is instantly recognizable.
The song’s energy is infectious, with Moreno’s raspy vocals adding to the song’s rawness. The lyrics of “Bored” are straightforward and rebel against the status quo.
The song’s protagonist is tired of the monotony of everyday life and is looking for an escape from the boredom. The chorus features Moreno singing, “I’m bored, I’m bored, I’m bored,” expressing the character’s frustration.
Song 6: “Cherry Waves”
“Cherry Waves” is a dreamy, atmospheric track that showcases Deftones’ ability to incorporate more shoegaze and post-rock elements into their sound. The song features intricate, delicate guitar work and soothing vocals from Moreno.
The lyrics of “Cherry Waves” are about longing and the search for a sense of peace and tranquility. Moreno sings, “Make it slow/To recognize the physical/Of someone we know/It’s heaven,” suggesting that finding a sense of connection and intimacy with another person can be a transcendent experience.
Song 5: “My Own Summer (Shove It)”
“My Own Summer (Shove It)” is one of Deftones’ most well-known songs, opening with a riff that is often covered by other bands. The song’s energy is infectious, and Moreno’s vocals switch between aggressive and melodic, showcasing the band’s ability to blend different styles into one cohesive sound.
The lyrics of “My Own Summer (Shove It)” are reflective of the band’s attitude towards genre conventions and creative freedom. The chorus features Moreno singing, “Hey you, big star/Tell me when it’s over/Hey you, big mood guide me to shelter/’Cause I’m through,” suggesting that the band is looking for something new and different, away from the mainstream.
Song 4: “Nosebleed”
“Nosebleed” is a fast-paced, intense track that features choppy guitar riffs and Moreno’s raw, aggressive vocals. The song’s energy is relentless, with the band never letting up on the pedal.
The lyrics of “Nosebleed” are about power and dominance. Moreno sings, “I’m the leader of the club/I’m the head of the gang/Bigger than the Beatles and better than Oasis,” suggesting that the song’s protagonist is in a position of power and is reveling in it.
Song 3: “Sextape”
“Sextape” is a hauntingly beautiful track that features delicate guitar work, atmospheric production, and Moreno’s emotive vocals. The song’s sound is ethereal and dreamlike, with Moreno singing in a whispery falsetto.
The lyrics of “Sextape” are about escape and transcendence. The song’s protagonist is looking to leave behind the mundane and experience something magical.
Moreno sings, “You take me away/To another place/Where I can find my way/Into your arms/Where we can lay,” suggesting that the song’s protagonist is looking for a sense of intimacy and connection. Song 2: “Mx”
“Mx” is a fast-paced, aggressive track that features heavy guitars and Moreno’s raw, angry vocals.
The song’s energy is relentless, with the band never letting up on the intensity. The lyrics of “Mx” are about frustration and a sense of disconnection.
Moreno sings, “I’ve been mistaken/For a thief in your heart/Blacklisted and marked/I’m losing control,” suggesting that the song’s protagonist is feeling misunderstood and ostracized from society. Song 1: “Change (In the House of Flies)”
“Change (In the House of Flies)” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that features delicate guitar work and Moreno’s emotive vocals.
The song builds to a powerful climax, with Moreno’s voice rising in intensity. The lyrics of “Change (In the House of Flies)” are about depression and the search for meaning.
Moreno sings, “Please take this/And run far away/Far away from me/I am/Tainted/The two of us were never meant to be,” suggesting that the song’s protagonist is struggling to find a sense of belonging.
Conclusion
Deftones are a unique band that has always pushed the boundaries of alternative metal. Their top 10 songs are a showcase of their diverse sound, from intense, heavy tracks to dreamy, atmospheric ballads.
The themes and lyrics of their songs reflect a range of emotions and experiences, from frustration and anger to longing and transcendence. Overall, Deftones are a band that has left an indelible mark on the alternative metal scene, and their influence will undoubtedly continue to be felt for years to come.
Deftones’ top 10 songs showcase their unique ability to blend different genres and techniques to create emotional, memorable music. From heavy, aggressive tracks to dreamy, atmospheric ballads, the band’s diverse sound is a testament to their creativity and artistry.
Their lyrics and themes reflect a range of emotions and experiences, from frustration and anger to longing and transcendence. Deftones’ impact on the alternative metal scene is undeniable, and their top 10 songs are a testament to their legacy.
