BONG Hits and HOT Tubs… Deftones Get SENSUAL - Video

The story of Around The Fur

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Deftones’ "Around the Fur," released in 1997 on Maverick Records, is a pivotal alternative metal album recognized for expanding the boundaries of both Deftones’ sound and the wider nu metal genre. Recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle, the sessions were known for hard partying, youthful chaos, and creative intensity—an energy that seeps into every track.

“Around the Fur” was crafted in just a month at Stone Gossard’s (Pearl Jam) studio. The entire band moved into a Seattle apartment, writing and recording while living together. The mood was wild: the group heavily partied, resulting in spontaneous ideas, and some of their antics (like a bong hit voicemail) even became hidden material on the record. Producer Terry Date helped the band reach for a more "sophisticated" sound while still embracing raw emotion and aggression.

Musically, the album straddles alternative metal, nu metal, and post-hardcore. It is marked by atmospheric heaviness, groove-driven riffs, and rhythmic, hypnotic playing, setting Deftones apart from their peers. Chino Moreno’s vocals range from a whisper to a scream, infusing every line with emotion and vulnerability. The band incorporated melodic passages ("Mascara") while keeping a brutal edge in mosh-pit anthems ("Rickets"), resulting in a dynamic, unpredictable listen. Stephen Carpenter’s guitar work emphasizes groove and chromatic power chords over traditional solos, while Chi Cheng’s bass provides a pounding, underpinning force. Drummer Abe Cunningham varied his snare tone and drumming style on nearly every track, enhancing the album’s dynamic and flow. Frank Delgado’s use of turntables and atmospherics began on this record, foreshadowing Deftones’ future evolution.

The singles "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" are fan favorites, blending crunching riffs, catchy hooks, and deeply relatable lyrics. The album’s lyrics—written largely by Moreno—explore themes of alienation, sex, existential boredom, broken romance, and fleeting escapism, often in cryptic but evocative style. Songs like “Headup” (featuring Max Cavalera) add a raw vocal duet and rap metal elements, while “MX” closes the album with hidden tracks that reward patient listeners.

The cover, a fisheye photo of Lisa Hughes beside a hot tub at a party, became an iconic if controversial image, reflecting both the album’s hedonism and its underlying sense of unease. "Around the Fur" was certified Platinum, remains highly influential, and is considered one of the cornerstones of late ’90s alternative and nu metal.