“It’s not just nu-metal… it’s art, mun.”
15. “You’ve Seen the Butcher” (Diamond Eyes, 2010)
Groovy. Dirty. Seductive. This song oozes sex and sludge in equal measure. That riff? Filthier than a Newport kebab shop at 3am. 🍆🔊
14. “Swerve City” (Koi No Yokan, 2012)
A galloping intro that could rival any metalcore band’s best, paired with Chino Moreno’s dreamy croon. An underrated banger that hits like a truck wrapped in velvet. 🐎💨
13. “Back to School (Mini Maggit)” (White Pony Reissue, 2001)
Nu-metal angst dialled up to 11. Chino’s rap vocals are pure 2000s chaos, and yes, we all screamed “I’m not your student!” like it meant something. 📚🔥
12. “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” (Around the Fur, 1997)
Floaty, fuzzy, and emotionally lush – this is Deftones proving heavy doesn’t always mean loud. Cry in the pit? Go on then. 😭🤘
11. “Rocket Skates” (Diamond Eyes, 2010)
“Guns! Razors! Knives!” …and riffs that could disintegrate a scaffold. This was the band’s fiery rebirth after Chi Cheng’s accident, and boy did they come out swinging. 💥🩸
10. “My Summer (Shove It)” (Around the Fur, 1997)
The ultimate soundtrack to skiving off school and blasting this out of your mate’s Vauxhall Corsa. Iconic chorus, dirty tone, pure teen rebellion. 🚗💨🎶
9. “Tempest” (Koi No Yokan, 2012)
Slow-burning and apocalyptic. Like being sucked into a black hole made of reverb and whispered threats. Atmospheric metal done proper tidy. 🌀🖤
8. “Digital Bath” (White Pony, 2000)
Smooth and sinister. This track feels like drowning in an electric dream… and loving it. Chino’s vocals are angelic and creepy at the same time. ⚡🛁
7. “Minerva” (Deftones, 2003)
One word: epic. Wall-of-sound guitars, shoegaze vibes, and a chorus you could float away on. Possibly their most beautiful track ever. 🌅🎸
6. “Knife Prty” (White Pony, 2000)
Unhinged and theatrical with haunting guest vocals from Rodleen Getsic. If David Lynch made metal, it’d sound like this. Disturbing in the best way. 🔪🎭
5. “Change (In the House of Flies)” (White Pony, 2000)
Moody, slow, hypnotic. The song that made Deftones a household name and probably gave a whole generation of emos a new favourite band. 🪰💀
4. “Diamond Eyes” (Diamond Eyes, 2010)
A soaring anthem of rebirth. The title track from their post-tragedy masterpiece — both crushing and uplifting. It’s a phoenix of a song. 🔷👁️
3. “Passenger” (ft. Maynard James Keenan) (White Pony, 2000)
Two alt-metal gods collide in one hypnotic, erotic, and eerie-as-hell song. It’s a sensual nightmare — and we can’t stop replaying it. 🚗🌑
2. “7 Words” (Adrenaline, 1995)
The original middle finger. Raw, messy, furious — everything a debut single should be. If you don’t shout “suck! suck! suck!” with glee, are you even alive? 🗣️💢
🥇 1. “Engine No. 9” (Adrenaline, 1995)
This is the Deftones mosh pit anthem. Chugging riffs, hip-hop bounce, full-throttle rage. It’s chaos bottled up and unleashed with zero warning. Still sounds fresh 30 years on. 🚒🔥
Honourable Mentions (Because 15 Isn’t Enough, Let’s Be Honest)
- “Hexagram” – A barrage of beautiful noise.
- “Entombed” – That mellow devastation we live for.
- “Poltergeist” – Hidden gem, spooky as your nan’s attic.
- “Lotion” – Pure 90s Deftones energy.
- “Prayers / Triangles” – A love letter to the weirdos.
🎤 Final Thoughts from the Pit
Deftones are like no other. Part metal, part dream-pop, part alien transmission beamed straight into your soul. Whether you’re headbanging, vibing, or crying in the shower — they’ve got a song for it.
So, what’s your favourite? Did we miss a belter? Let us know in the comments, c’mon butt! 😎🎶
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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