Deftones is an alternative metal band from Sacramento, California that has been praised for its innovative, atmospheric approach to hard rock. Formed in 1988 by Stephen Carpenter, Chino Moreno and Abe Cunningham, the band emerged with a sound once described as new metal, but with its continuously evolving sound and fearless integration of popular music into its sonic foray, Deftones has come to be described as alternative metal. After releasing its first two albums, its 1995 debut effort Adrenaline, and 1997's Around the Fur, the band didn't earn widespread recognition until its 2000 effort, White Pony. The critically acclaimed album featured an array of cross-genre songs including the trip-hop inspired "Teenager," a love song inspired by the addition of Frank Delgado, also known as DJ Speedboat, to the Deftones lineup. The band continues to release albums characterized by its blend of art rock, experimental rock, post-punk, progressive rock, rap and nu metal.
