Since their 1988 formation in Sacramento, Deftones have offered an alternative to the metal masses. The combination of heavy yet melodic music and contrasting soft, often-whispered vocals with occasional intense, angry screams from singer Chino Moreno set them apart from their peers. Their broad, expansive sound—influenced by New Wave, electronica, and hardcore—earned Deftones the nickname "the Radiohead of metal." Despite the untimely death of original bassist Chi Cheng in 2013, the band continue to forge their unique path through the world of rock.