Deftones is an American rock band formed in Sacramento, California, in the late 1980s around Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Abe Cunningham and Chi Cheng. The group developed a distinctive sound blending alternative metal, nu metal, shoegaze, post-hardcore and atmospheric textures, with a strong emphasis on contrasts between heaviness, tension and melody. With albums such as Around the Fur, White Pony and Diamond Eyes, Deftones became one of the most influential and distinctive bands in modern alternative metal.