Have you noticed how many bands in the underground scene today seem to sound almost identical? Down-tuned guitars, shoegaze-like ambience, and those vague NU METAL influences are all spreading across local stages and basement shows worldwide.
No matter where you look—be it a small club or a heavy music festival—you’ll hear that familiar blend of distortion and sultry vocals that instantly calls DEFTONES to mind.
One interesting take, published online by Coolea, suggested that it felt as though Chino Moreno’s creative DNA had been stirred into the global water supply.
Suddenly, showgoers who used to be all about pop ballads found themselves donning baggy pants, moshing in dingy clubs, and chasing that dreamy-yet-heavy atmosphere. While this perspective was occasionally tongue-in-cheek, it touched on a serious question:
Why do so many up-and-coming acts sound as if they’ve been studying the entire DEFTONES discography?
According to this commentary, a key to the puzzle lay in how DEFTONES emerged in the 1990s under the shaky umbrella of NU METAL. They were often mentioned in the same breath as KORN, SLIPKNOT, and LIMP BIZKIT, but never quite fit the exact formula of harsh rap verses and turntable scratches.
Their take on it leaned more on introspection, swirling guitars, and occasionally “horny” thematic twists—traits that set them apart from the brazen, rough-edged anthems of the era.
After a lukewarm reception for their debut and some casual grouping with other heavy bands, DEFTONES branched off into more atmospheric territory, culminating in landmark albums like AROUND THE FUR and WHITE PONY. By then, the group had quietly transcended the NU METAL label.
It’s interesting how streaming platforms and social media eventually reinvigorated interest in DEFTONES among younger generations.
TikTok in particular seemed to play a major role, serving up short clips of their tracks that caught the attention of new listeners, many of whom started craving that signature “heavy but dreamy” sound.
Fresh bands then harnessed these sonic cues—thick guitars, airy vocals, slow-building intros, and explosive riffs—blending shoegaze elements with an alternative-metal punch. This phenomenon yielded what some call “nu gaze,” an evolution where DEFTONES-style riffing meets MY BLOODY VALENTINE-inspired haze.
DEFTONES had been oddly resilient to the passage of time.
Instead of getting swept away with ‘90s rap-metal relics, they kept updating their sonic palette. Their guitar tones became more refined; their pacing shifted between violent blasts of heaviness and moments of near-silence.
While a standard NU METAL act might rely on record scratches and hip-hop breakdowns, DEFTONES would insert moody interludes or mesmerizing vocal lines. This gave them a timeless quality that resonates with a broad audience—fans of alternative rock, metal, even indie, could all find something appealing.
Fashion also mattered. Because DEFTONES came up in the ‘90s skate scene, their look had a casual authenticity that resonated with a generation raised on TONY HAWK and baggy shorts. Modern acts copying them could simply adopt vintage streetwear and gear that nods to that California skate-metal vibe.
Whereas other ‘90s fashion statements (red baseball caps, for instance) sometimes dipped into self-parody, DEFTONES’ style remained comparatively low-key and cool, which made it easy to reintroduce in the 2020s.
Below are several observations gleaned from the same commentary about how DEFTONES became—and stayed—so influential:
Fluid Genre Identity
They started near NU METAL but seamlessly wove in elements of SHOEGAZE, alternative rock, and post-hardcore, making their music relevant to multiple scenes.
Heavy Meets Ethereal
DEFTONES combined punishing riffs with quieter, more sensual or introspective passages—creating a dynamic that few ‘90s peers matched.
Stylistic Branding
Their image wasn’t forced. They looked like Californian skaters because they were. Over time, this authenticity became a major selling point for younger listeners.
Constant Evolution
Each album felt like a new chapter, so the band rarely got stagnant. Their discography offered a broad palette for new fans stumbling upon them in any decade.
Easier Access via TikTok
Short viral clips showcased the catchiest or dreamiest parts of their music, luring in Gen Z listeners who might’ve overlooked a typical “metal” band.
Shoegaze Connection
Although the group wasn’t labeled shoegaze at their start, deeper analysis reveals how much they absorbed from MY BLOODY VALENTINE-esque layering, leading to the so-called “nu gaze” wave in modern underground acts.
Influencing Current Bands
Contemporary outfits like NARROW HEAD or FLESHWATER blend post-hardcore, metal, and shoegaze in ways that trace back to DEFTONES, bridging the gap between crunchy aggression and atmospheric depth.
Ultimately, Coolea comentary suggested that DEFTONES’ broad appeal—spanning from moody ballads to outright headbangers—gave them a flexible identity that never truly faded from relevance.
The lasting aftereffect is that they continue to inspire new generations of musicians, who are unafraid to mix swirling effects with guttural riffs.
Even if some consider this a looming “epidemic” in the underground, it’s at least one that resonates with fans across genre boundaries, showing that a hybrid of heavy music and dreamy soundscapes can thrive long after the original wave of NU METAL receded.
Check out the full video below.
