Deftones - Adrenaline

Deftones’ 1995 debut doesn’t reach the towering alt-gaze heights of their later work, but it still holds a special place in the Sacramento band’s catalog. Opener “Bored” immediately showcases their aptitude for teeth-gritting tension and awe-inducing release, beginning with Chino Moreno’s hushed mutters and ending with him writhing between bloody screams and ascendant croons. With beefed-up fuzz explosions (“7 Words”) and tumbling grooves (“Engine No. 9”),  Adrenaline is Deftones’ rawest, most confrontational album — and an essential part of any fan’s collection.