In the 2020s, Deftones saw a big boost in popularity, reaching a new generation of fans. They released their tenth studio album, *Private Music*, on August 22 through Warner and Reprise Records. This is their first full album since *Ohms* came out in 2020.
Lead singer Chino Moreno talked about a new music style called “baddiecore.” He said, “I have not [heard of it], but there’s another genre we have to escape at some point, right?” Baddiecore features bands that blend heavy sounds with pop elements and romantic themes. While bands like Sleep Token and Bad Omens fit this description, many see Deftones as early pioneers of the style.
Moreno also shared his thoughts on the emotional side of his songwriting. He said, “It’s part of growing up, those feelings, and it’s not something that just dissipates as you get older. … I grew up loving a lot of romanticized music. Obviously, Depeche Mode, I’ve always claimed my love for them.” Despite their recent popularity, the band still resists being labeled as nu metal. Moreno explained, “We tried hard not to be lumped in with nu metal when nu metal was big, and then we kind of had to do it again with the nu metal resurgence.” They aim to create timeless music and avoid being pigeonholed.
Deftones will kick off their European tour on January 29 in Paris, joined by Denzel Curry and Drug Church. The tour includes 15 stops across France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, running from late January to mid-February 2026. The opening show is at the Paris Adidas Arena, and they’ll wrap up at London’s O2 on February 20, with one of the final shows in Dublin at the 3Arena. Check out their tour dates to catch a show!
