What is the best Deftones album to start with?

The best album to start with is "White Pony" (2000). It's the most representative of what makes Deftones worth hearing.

How many albums does Deftones have?

Deftones has 41 releases in their discography, including 17 albums and 2 EPs.

Deftones

Q: Who is Deftones for?

If you're into alternative metal and nu metal, Deftones is worth your time. With weighty grooves punctuated by haunting melodies and sudden shifts in intensity, their music creates an immersive experience that is both cathartic and contemplative.

With weighty grooves punctuated by haunting melodies and sudden shifts in intensity, their music creates an immersive experience that is both cathartic and contemplative.

alternative metal · nu metal

United States Est. 1988

Read about Deftones on Bookshop

Start here

The album

White Pony (2000)

Captures their signature sound with a blend of heavy grooves and melodic elements, offering a cohesive listening experience for newcomers.

The song

“Be Quiet and Drive” from Around the Fur

Immediate hook that introduces their style, showcasing both intensity and melody in a compact format that's accessible to new listeners.

See the full guide

About Deftones

Deftones matter for their ability to redefine the boundaries of heaviness and beauty within alternative music, creating a soundscape that resonates deeply with both angst and introspection.

Their work has crafted a sonic space where aggression and melody coexist, serving as an emotional refuge for listeners navigating the complexities of identity, love, and existential dread. Their innovative approach lies in a masterful blend of ethereal atmospherics and crushing guitars, often layering textures that shift from serene to chaotic. This dynamic interplay invites listeners not just to hear but to feel each moment, showcasing a commitment to pushing sonic limits while maintaining melodic sensibilities that capture the essence of human emotion. Lyrically, Deftones often explore themes of longing, alienation, and personal struggle through a lens that balances raw sincerity with impressionistic imagery. Their writing features a haunting tone and evocative storytelling that can evoke visceral reactions while leaving space for personal interpretation, allowing listeners to connect on individual levels.

17 studio albums· 41 total releases· 3 decades· United States

Full discography

Deftones's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

41 releases • 17 albums • 2 EPS • 1993–2025

Type:

Studio albums ()

EPs ()

Live: Volume I - Selections from Adrenaline

2013

Live

1998

Live ()

Live at Dynamo Open Air 1998

2019

Singles ()

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Prayers/Triangles" — from Gore (2016)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Swerve City" — from Koi No Yokan (2012)

accessible entry with immediate hook
3

"My Own Summer (Shove It)" — from Around the Fur (1997)

accessible entry with immediate hook
4

"my mind is a mountain" — from Private Music (2025)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Genesis" — from Ohms (2020)

establishes the sonic palette early
6

"Hexagram" — from Deftones (2003)

establishes the sonic palette early

Continue your journey

If you liked Deftones, start with Incubus

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

Listen

Apple Music Bandcamp Soundcloud Spotify Youtube

Facebook Instagram Reddit X

Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata

Deftones

About Deftones

Full discography

Studio albums ()

Private Music

Ohms

Gore

The Studio Album Collection

Koi No Yokan

The Vinyl Collection

Covers

Diamond Eyes

Saturday Night Wrist

B-Sides & Rarities

Deftones

White Pony

Around the Fur

Adrenaline

(Like) Linus

Eros

EPs ()

Live: Volume I - Selections from Adrenaline

Live

Live ()

Live at Dynamo Open Air 1998

Singles ()

Milk of the Madonna

My Mind Is a Mountain

Ceremony

Genesis

Phantom Bride

Doomed User

Prayers/Triangles

Romantic Dreams

Swerve City

Tempest

Leathers

You've Seen the Butcher

Sextape

Rocket Skates

Mein

Hole in the Earth

Hexagram

Minerva

Back to School (Mini Maggit)

Change (In the House of Flies)

Be Quiet and Drive

My Own Summer (Shove It)

Songs to start with