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At the Forum, rockers Deftones show why they’ve stayed ahead of their time, 30 years and counting

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On Wednesday evening, the beloved heavy rock band of Generation Z paused during their performance at The Kia Forum to reminisce about their initial show at that venue.

In 1995, Deftones frontman Chino Moreno experienced their initial performance at The Forum for the very first time, opening for Ozzy Osbourne. As he reminisced prior to the first of two sell-out shows, his T-shirt was soaked with sweat due to the sheer craziness of the experience.

Since the early ’90s, Deftones, originating from Sacramento and known for their metal-infused experimental style, have consistently pushed the boundaries of heavy guitar rock. They incorporate aspects of post-punk, shoegaze, electronic music, and melancholic whispered vocals into their work. They’ve produced six top 10 albums spanning four different decades, established a highly successful festival (Dia De Los Deftones in San Diego), and fostered one of the most dedicated, culturally diverse, and open-minded rock subcultures.

Over the past five years, a shift occurred that made the band’s unique blend of ambient sadness and raw anger resonate deeply with a new wave of listeners. The energy at Wednesday’s concert in the Forum suggests that Deftones are more popular than ever before, serving as an influential force shaping the preferences of young heavy music enthusiasts across various intensities. A band that continues to be ahead of their time for three decades and counting.

The latest album by Deftones, “Ohms,” released in 2020, harkened back to the intense style characteristic of their groundbreaking albums from the late ’90s and early 2000s, even though they recorded it during the strictest lockdown periods of the pandemic. The band at this time consists of Chino Moreno, guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham, and keyboardist Frank Delgado.

Music

Deftones, the well-known heavy metal band from California, have completed their latest album titled ‘Ohms’ while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike previous releases, this one won’t be accompanied by a traditional tour.

At that point, Moreno’s evaluation of the album mirrored the spirit of the times – “The album exudes a dystopian atmosphere that, looking back on it, seems quite relevant to me,” Moreno shared with The Times. “It just so happened that this is the state of many people’s lives now – a sense of uncertainty about their environment and not being particularly optimistic.

Well, we’re all right back in it.

A shift has occurred in recent times, primarily among younger fans who find themselves drawn to the dreamy ambiances of songs like “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” and the ’90s-inspired merchandise of Deftones. This new generation brings a fresh angle to understanding why Deftones continue to be so enigmatic and therapeutic. Their Spotify play counts are now in the billions, and “Cherry Waves” has become popular on TikTok for capturing the complexity of teenage desire – it seems they’ve found something new that resonates with listeners once more.

Following an initial act featuring tantalizing new tunes from Latin-influenced heavy rock group, the Mars Volta (experienced in navigating oppressive settings), Deftones seized their moment of burgeoning fame. Their performance at Wednesday’s Forum seemed tailored for an arena tour, with captivating abstract visuals enhancing the atmosphere on multi-level stages, providing Moreno ample space to express himself passionately during “My Own Summer” (Shove It), and asserting dominance as a shadowy figure during “Sextape.

The band’s performance was exceptionally diverse and well-arranged due to their renewed enthusiasm and extensive song library. They seamlessly transition between polished and raw, shiny and brutal elements. The journey from their early single “Digital Bath”, reminiscent of Cocteau Twins, to their 2020 hit “Genesis” made the old tunes seem visionary, while their new music appeared timeless. Tracks from mid-career like “Prayers/Triangles” demonstrated the melodic flair that has kept these albums relevant over time, and classics such as “Change (In the House of Flies)” retained their eerie intensity – if anything, they’ve grown more potent with age.

The band chose not to cater to the newer crowd of meme enthusiasts, instead maintaining their rebellious spirit. In a politically charged climate, it took courage for them to conclude their performance with “7 Words,” an anti-cop track from 1995, where a young Moreno exclaimed “Resist to cease, understand? / God hates black shades and all the clergy / Mr. P.I.G., could I f— see?” In 2025, he performed it with respect for the raw emotion of that defiance, the unwavering belief that the world he observed was flawed. Rediscovering that sense of indignation today is worthwhile.

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2025-03-07 00:31

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