Ranking Every Deftones Album (So Far)

With a career spanning over three decades, Deftones have earned their place as one of the most innovative and influential bands in alternative metal. Renowned for blending shoegaze, post-hardcore, and atmospheric rock with crushing riffs and emotional depth, the Sacramento-based quintet have carved out a sound uniquely their own. As fans eagerly await their upcoming tenth studio album, Private Music, due out on Friday, August 22nd, it’s the perfect time to revisit the band’s rich catalog. In this feature, we rank and review all nine Deftones albums released so far, exploring how each record contributed to their sonic evolution and lasting legacy.

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9. Saturday Night Wrist (2006)

Often viewed as a transitional record, Saturday Night Wrist emerged during a tumultuous time for the band. Despite internal conflicts and a troubled production process, the album still contains standout moments such as “Hole in the Earth” and “Cherry Waves”.

The record experiments with ambient textures and layered atmospheres, but struggles with consistency. While some fans admire its eclectic nature, others find it disjointed compared to the band’s more focused releases. Still, it hints at the creative directions Deftones would fully realize later on.

Standout Tracks: Hole in the Earth, Cherry Waves, Beware

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8. Gore (2016)

Gore is one of Deftones’ most polarizing albums. Some praised its ethereal tones and bold experimentation, while others lamented its departure from the band’s heavier roots. Tracks like “Prayers/Triangles” and “Phantom Bride” showcase their melodic sensibilities but don’t always land with longtime fans.

Guitarist Stephen Carpenter’s ambivalence toward the record was well documented, and it shows in the lack of the band’s usual sonic cohesion. Nevertheless, Gore has its share of devoted defenders.

Standout Tracks: Phantom Bride, Hearts/Wires, Prayers/Triangles

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7. Adrenaline (1995)

Their raw and unfiltered debut, Adrenaline introduced the world to Deftones’ aggressive fusion of alt-metal and post-hardcore. While rough around the edges, it captures youthful energy and a sense of danger that became a foundation for the genre’s evolution.

Songs like “7 Words” and “Engine No. 9” are live staples to this day, and Chino Moreno’s primal vocal delivery adds urgency to every track. Though not as refined as later records, Adrenaline remains a vital piece of their legacy.

Standout Tracks: 7 Words, Bored, Engine No. 9

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6. Ohms (2020)

Ohms marked a creative resurgence for Deftones. Produced by Terry Date, the album is a dynamic return to form that blends the band’s heavier elements with their signature dreamlike ambiance. It’s focused, confident, and deeply emotional.

Tracks like “Genesis”, “Urantia”, and “Ohms” reflect on isolation and perseverance, themes that resonated during its pandemic-era release. Many fans consider Ohms a spiritual successor to Diamond Eyes, and one of their strongest late-career releases.

Standout Tracks: Genesis, Ohms, The Spell of Mathematics

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5. Koi No Yokan (2012)

Translating to “a premonition of love,” Koi No Yokan balances the heavy and the ethereal better than almost any other album in their discography. It builds on the melodic sensibility of Diamond Eyes with deeper emotional textures.

From the immediate energy of “Swerve City” to the sweeping beauty of “Rosemary” and “Tempest”, every song feels meticulously crafted. It’s a mature, immersive record that rewards repeated listens.

Standout Tracks: Leathers, Rosemary, Tempest

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4. Deftones (2003)

The self-titled Deftones album is as heavy as it is haunting. With a darker tone and raw production, it dives deep into themes of identity, inner turmoil, and control. The tension between brutal instrumentation and serene moments defines its power.

Tracks like “Minerva” and “When Girls Telephone Boys” are both emotionally complex and sonically punishing. This record cemented Deftones’ identity beyond the nü-metal scene.

Standout Tracks: Minerva, Hexagram, Bloody Cape

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3. Around The Fur (1997)

A massive leap forward from their debut, Around the Fur introduced a more layered and dynamic approach to songwriting. It’s where Deftones began embracing atmosphere and groove without sacrificing aggression.

The record features some of the band’s most beloved tracks like “My Own Summer (Shove It)” and “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)”—songs that bridged underground grit and mainstream appeal. Still raw but increasingly melodic, Around the Fur is essential listening.

Standout Tracks: Be Quiet and Drive, My Own Summer, Lotion

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2. Diamond Eyes (2010)

Diamond Eyes rose from tragedy, following bassist Chi Cheng’s devastating car accident. With Sergio Vega stepping in, the band created one of their most inspiring and cohesive records.

From the explosive title track to the surreal “Sextape”, every song balances weight and beauty. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, Diamond Eyes is a cathartic triumph of resilience and sonic evolution.

Standout Tracks: Diamond Eyes, Sextape, You’ve Seen the Butcher

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1. White Pony (2000)

A landmark release in alternative metal and a defining album of the 2000s, White Pony is Deftones at their most adventurous, cinematic, and emotionally resonant. Incorporating trip-hop, post-rock, and shoegaze influences, the album pushed boundaries and defied expectations.

Tracks like “Change (In the House of Flies)”, “Passenger” (featuring Maynard James Keenan), and “Digital Bath” still feel timeless. It’s no surprise that White Pony remains their most critically acclaimed and beloved release.

Standout Tracks: Change, Passenger, Digital Bath

Final Ranking Recap:

1. White Pony (2000)
2. Diamond Eyes (2010)
3. Around the Fur (1997)
4. Deftones (2003)
5. Koi No Yokan (2012)
6. Ohms (2020)
7. Adrenaline (1995)
8. Gore (2016)
9. Saturday Night Wrist (2006)

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