Review
"White Pony," Deftones' third studio album, is a sonic tempest that unleashed itself on June 20, 2000. Under the seasoned hand of producer Terry Date, the band brewed a storm of sounds, blending post-hardcore, trip hop, shoegaze, progressive rock, and post-rock into their alternative metal foundation. This album marks a maturation in their style, with Chino Moreno picking up rhythm guitar and Frank Delgado stepping in full-time on turntables and synthesizers, injecting rich, atmospheric layers into the mix.
The singles "Change (In the House of Flies)" and "Back to School (Mini Maggit)" create a compelling eye of the storm, while the Grammy-winning track "Elite" hits like a thunderclap. The lyrics dive into the chaotic whirlwind of the rock star lifestyle, touching on excesses of drugs, sex, and violence—aptly reflected in the album's title, a nod to cocaine. Upon release, "White Pony" exploded onto the Billboard 200 at No. 3, ultimately achieving gold and platinum status. Acclaimed by both fans and critics, "White Pony" stands as a towering cyclone in Deftones' discography, pushing the boundaries of alternative metal to exhilarating extremes. - Juno
