Deftones‘ decision to hit the eject button from the trappings of nü-metal in 2000 with their now alternative metal staple “White Pony” was one hell of a leap of faith. While the group had up to that point operated freely in the burgeoning success of nü-metal’s heyday, the band opted to forego a potential easy paycheck, and instead craft an artistic masterpiece that continues to impress to this day.
At the time, it might as well have been career suicide however, as the likes of Korn, Limp Bizkit and even the emerging Linkin Park were all experiencing career highs, each while remaining firmly planted in the nü-metal lane. Deftones vocalist/guitarist Chino Moreno reflected on that desire to breakaway in a 2020 retrospective on that record:
“I wanted to go left [of nu-metal], not because I felt we were better than these bands. I wanted our band to stand on our own two feet. Nu-metal was at its peak. It’s in the name—nu-metal—it’s going to be old in time. Eventually, it did die. My whole idea was when that ship does go down, I don’t want to be on that motherfucker. We tried to distance ourselves as much as we could, and the best way to do that was by following the path we were on.”
That’s not to say they were able to escape the genre entirely with “White Pony” however. The group were still forced to cave to some label pressure, after a record exec pushed for them to write, record and include the track “Back To School (Mini Maggit)“. Despite quickly banging out that song without much enthusiasm, it received a push from the label.
While that single appeased the more fair-weather MTV-oriented section of band’s fans at the time, it wasn’t exactly an internal favorite. Moreno has since admitted he wasn’t big on it at the time, calling it “so-so.” That assessment was further reflected by the song being relegated to a bonus track.
Still, barring that compromise, Deftones were able to issue what Moreno has later described as a ‘statement record’. As history has since shown, that decision to blaze their own path proved to be the right call.
In a few years time, metalcore and the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal had come to prominence and nü-metal went the way of glam metal. Hitmakers like Limp Bizkit floundered under lineup changes and waning popularity, Korn stumbled with an uneven series of releases, and Papa Roach reinvented themselves as alternative rockers.
However, in electing to take control of their destiny early on, Deftones‘ gamble to delve into atmospheric alternative metal established them as entity independent of the success of a scene. In making a concerted effort to distance themselves from nü-metal, they were also able to tour with a variety of artists that helped them expand their fanbase outside of the metal umbrella.
Despite enduring the heartbreaking loss of their bassist/vocalist Chi Cheng, and clashing under well-documented internal struggles and lineup shifts in the years since, the group’s music has remained a singular force. Their passion to pursue their own artistic vision regardless of the potential financial consequence has ingrained a sense of authenticity in their craft that allows it to continue to resonate.
Having turned 25 this past June, “White Pony” still finds its way into the lives of fans young and old. Considered by many to be their magnum opus, it is also perhaps that record which fans continue to flock to the most.
Achieving the vision behind “White Pony” didn’t come cheap though. After failing to deliver the record on time, they were fined $1 million dollars by their label. One could argue now that the extra time given to it was worth the cost in the end.
Just this past July “White Pony” received a second platinum certification in the United States. And its milestones like that which perhaps best explain why a guitar somewhat integral to the album’s recording sessions and its promotional cycle currently sports a $55,000 appraisal.
That guitar, an ESP Horizon Custom, was also used by the band’s Stephen Carpenter during the sessions for Deftones‘ platinum-certified sophomore album “Around The Fur“. It was acquired by a private collector a year ago after being pursued for some five years. A post newly shared by Sol Invicto, a band Carpenter also plays in, commented recently on the axe, its lineage and the impressive price it now commands, offering:
“Recently appraised $55,000 due to recent platinum status achievements and new found success “This is the actual guitar Stephen Carpenter (Deftones/Sol Invicto) used to record Around The Fur (it’s the guitar photographed in the liner notes) and some songs from White Pony. It was also used in the Change (In The House Of Flies) and Back To School music videos. It was also a touring guitar for a few years and appeared on a few live TV performances.“
It’s crazy that White Pony was 25 years old this year, even crazier that one of our own fans owns one of the ESP’s used to record it…I sent the photos over to Stephen and he confirmed and authenticated the below, a fine piece of history there! So good to see it in safe hands! With original Hed PE and Stuck Mojo stickers!”
Update: August 12th, 2025 02:14pm:
It has since been clarified that the guitar wasn’t actually used in the “Change (In The House Of Flies)” video. However, it was indeed used in the “Back To School (Mini Maggit)” video.
