When I was a 13-year-old living in Southern California, my local alt-rock station KROQ hosted a free show with Deftones in the parking lot of the Best Buy in Tustin.
Back then, the biggest stage they would take is Warped Tour, with their talents often overshadowed by their louder nu-metal and shoegaze peers that were more MTV and radio friendly.
Two decades later, they’re selling out massive arenas like London’s O2 and Munich’s venues, and average 16.8 million monthly streams on Spotify.
But why do Deftones have more relevancy today than ever before?
TikTok and Instagram Played a Huge Role in Revitalizing Deftones’ Popularity
TikTok and Instagram Reels propelled Deftones back into the spotlight around 2022, with songs like “Cherry Waves,” “Change (In the House of Flies),” “Sextape,” “Rosemary,” and “Beware” going viral through goth edits and “baddiecore” trends.
Reddit users credit the platform’s algorithm for exposing Gen Z to nu-metal’s emotional depth, noting how “alt girls” and “goth” demographics sparked the wave.
Deftones isn’t the only nu-metal band that has received this treatment. Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Slipknot, and System of a Down have all seen their resurgence.
While some longtime fans worry new listeners cherry-pick hits without grasping the full discography, a recent New York Times article revealed that part of the band’s new success could be fueled by the “immediate availability of the band’s work in the internet age.” Fans can stream whole albums, and aren’t necessarily dictated by what radio plays.
In my opinion, they also dropped one of 2025’s best albums with Private Music, a soaring masterpiece that proves their evolution was no fluke.
Nostalgia Fuels the Fire
Nostalgia plays a powerful role in Deftones’ 2026 resurgence, tapping into a collective longing for simpler, more authentic days amid modern chaos. Fans on Reddit and forums often describe how tracks like “Change (In the House of Flies)” and “Passenger” evoke wistful memories of early-2000s summers, Warped Tour vibes, and unfiltered emotions
Fan Perspectives: Hype or Deserved?
On Reddit’s r/deftones, users hail Deftones’ 30-year consistency as finally breaking mainstream barriers, with TikTok introducing diverse sounds amid nu-metal and shoegaze revivals. One top comment notes: “Deftones have been god-tier for decades but never fit trends. — now more people are catching on.”
Critics, however, see risks: new fans ignore deeper cuts like “LHABIA” at shows, highlighting social media’s superficial discovery. Overall, the consensus views this as positive evolution, sustaining longevity through fresh ears.
The Final Chord
Deftones’ 2026 popularity blends viral luck with enduring quality, from billions of streams to festival headlines. While forums debate depth versus breadth, their arena-filling prowess underscores a rare rock resurgence.
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