Twenty years ago, Deftones released a genuinely powerful album. White Pony raised the band high above the entire nu-metal scene, which they reluctantly but still treated. Their crystal complex sound and lyrical personality have become a hallmark ever since. They have conquered their musical niche with a more mature, melodic, multi-layered sound. White Pony was the first (and certainly not the last) Deftones album to feature different elements of musical genres: from trip-hop to post-rock (Appleford). Each song has an individual sound. The White Pony opus was strange and diverse compared to what the band had previously released. Furthermore, as a result, they achieved a major commercial success.
Background
Instead of sticking to the predominantly heavy sounds that characterised the band’s first two albums, Chino Moreno wanted to add a broader range of instruments to the Deftones’ sound palette. At first, Carpenter did not like it, as the guitarist wanted to make the record the heaviest music they had to work on (Goodman). In the end, everyone began to like playing diverse, melodic, and slower music.
White Pony
Deftones’ third album is considered the best and most significant in the band’s discography. Not as sharp as “Around the Fur” – the band’s music has become more detailed, on the one hand, calmer and more melodic, but at the same time, probably, heavier. In the three years since the release of “Around the Fur” (1997), mutational processes have occurred in the band’s music. It is alternative metal with noticeable grunge roots and a slight touch of psychedelia. The album begins like “Around the Fur”: intricate compositions interspersed with melodic and depressive sound. It is still nu-metal, not as energetic and furious as the previous album, but with an original melody. “Feiticeira” is an interesting melodic composition – a kind of heavy capoeira.
“Digital Bath” is another super hit from Deftones – a very melodic, beautifully recorded, and mixed composition. “Elite” is a harsh, evil song with high hysterical vocals. For this song, Deftones received a Grammy Award in 2001 in Best Metal Performance (Price). The second part of “White Pony” is another side of Deftones. So far, this is the best that the band has created in its history. This is where the progressive heavy alternative manifests itself: atmospheric, riff-free, with a sharply changing mood.
Works Cited
Appleford, Steve. “‘White Pony’: Inside Deftones’ Game-Changing Alt-Metal Masterpiece.”Revolver, 2021.
Goodman, Eleanor. “Deftones’ White Pony: The Explosive Story of a Post-Nu Metal Classic.”Loudersound, 2020.
Price, Andy. “The Genius Of… White Pony by Deftones.”All Things Guitar, 2021.