After a five-year wait since their last album, Deftones are stirring excitement with a cryptic tease hinting at new music set to arrive soon. The alternative metal veterans dropped a mysterious message at their June 29, 2025, show in London’s Crystal Palace Park that has fans buzzing about what’s next.
During their performance, video screens displayed the phrase “private music” alongside Roman numerals “X.VII.MMXXV,” which translates to July 10, 2025, in the UK’s day/month/year format. This date is less than two weeks away from the time of the show, fueling speculation that Deftones might be unveiling a new single, an album announcement, or perhaps both on that day.
Interestingly, the graphic also included a copyright notice stating “distributed by deftones, all rights reserved,” which suggests the band might be self-releasing their upcoming work, diverging from their previous association with Reprise Records. The same symbol featured on the video screens can also be found on their official website, adding to the intrigue surrounding this new project.
The tease came just a day after Deftones had to pull out of their scheduled Glastonbury Festival performance on June 28 due to illness. Frontman Chino Moreno later confirmed onstage in London that he was the member affected, though he did not elaborate on the nature of the illness. Despite this setback, the band delivered a solid London show, thrilling fans with their signature sound.
Fans have long awaited new material since the release of 2020’s Ohms, which was well-received and marked a strong return for the band. Guitarist Stephen Carpenter shed some light on the forthcoming album during a 2024 interview with B-Real’s The Dr. Greenthumb show. He described the new record as a blend of Koi No Yokan and Ohms, emphasizing that while it retains the core Deftones sound, listeners will encounter elements they’ve never heard before.
Carpenter also hinted at frontman Moreno’s evolving vocal style, noting, “He’s really good at flipping up what he does, like, he always changes what he does, [while] still doing what he does. It’s actually pretty dope.” This suggests the band is experimenting and pushing their creative boundaries while staying true to their identity.
The album sessions were reportedly completed in 2024 with renowned producer Nick Raskulinecz, known for his work with Alice In Chains and Foo Fighters. This collaboration has fans hopeful for a polished and powerful release that continues Deftones’ legacy of blending heavy riffs with atmospheric moods.
As for live performances, Deftones are currently wrapping up their European tour, which concludes on July 6, 2025, at the Rusirock Festival in Turku, Finland. Following that, they will appear at major festivals such as Roskilde in Denmark on July 2, Rock Werchter in Belgium on July 3, and Main Square Festival in France on July 4.
Looking ahead, the band’s North American tour is set to kick off on August 22, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Rogers Arena. This tour will feature support from Barbarians of California, Phantogram, and IDLES on select dates. Notably, Deftones will also join System of a Down on two shows in Toronto, Ontario, in September, showcasing a powerful lineup for fans.
The North American dates continue through mid-September with stops in cities including Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Quebec City, Montreal, Cleveland, Baltimore, St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Louisville, and Sacramento. These shows promise to be a celebration of the band’s enduring influence and evolving sound.
While the exact nature of the July 10 tease remains unconfirmed—whether it’s a single release, an album announcement, or something else—the timing fits with frontman Moreno’s December 2024 statement to Billboard Español, where he said the new album was “getting very close to being ready.” Fans will be watching closely to see how Deftones plan to unveil their next chapter.
In the meantime, the band’s strategic use of cryptic messages and symbolic graphics keeps the anticipation high. The phrase “private music” evokes a sense of intimacy and exclusivity, perhaps signaling a personal or experimental direction for the upcoming release.
Regardless of the specifics, Deftones’ ability to blend heavy, atmospheric, and innovative sounds has earned them a dedicated global following. Their return with new music—especially after a five-year gap—represents a significant moment for both the band and their fans.
As the July 10 date approaches, the music world waits eagerly to see if Deftones will deliver a new single, unveil a full album, or surprise listeners with an unexpected project. What is clear is that the band’s creative momentum is building, and their forthcoming material promises to carry forward the legacy that has made them a staple of alternative metal for decades.
