Around The Fur, Deftones

Released on October 28, 1997, Around the Fur is the second studio album by Deftones. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential records of the 1990s, serving as a bridge between the raw aggression of their debut, Adrenaline, and the atmospheric, experimental sound they would later perfect on White Pony.

Produced by Terry Date, the album captures a unique "sonic duality"—blending bone-crushing riffs with haunting, ethereal melodies.

Key Tracks

• "My Own Summer (Shove It)": Known for its iconic, sludgy opening riff and Chino Moreno’s "whisper-to-a-scream" vocal delivery.

• "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)": A landmark track that introduced "shoegaze" elements to heavy metal, showcasing a more melodic and emotional side of the band.

• "Headup": A high-energy collaboration with Max Cavalera (Soulfly/Sepultura). The song was a tribute to Max’s late stepson, Dana Wells, and the lyrics actually inspired the name of Max’s band, Soulfly.

• "MX": The closing track, which contains the hidden songs "Bong Hit" and "Damone" after several minutes of silence.

• Interesting Facts & Trivia

  • The Cover Art: The iconic photo was taken by Rick Kosick at an afterparty in a hotel hot tub. The woman on the cover, Lisa Hughes, was not a model but someone the band met while recording in Seattle.

  • The Meaning of the Title: While often assumed to be sexual, Chino Moreno explained that it represents the contrast in their music: fur is beautiful and glamorous on the outside, but the "inside" (the skin) is raw and ugly.

  • Genre Defiance: Although frequently labeled as "Nu-Metal," the band actively tried to distance themselves from the movement. Guitarist Stephen Carpenter was listening to Depeche Mode’s Ultra on repeat during the sessions, which influenced the album's darker, more atmospheric textures.

  • Snare Obsession: Drummer Abe Cunningham used a different snare drum for almost every track to give each song a distinct character.

  Impact and Legacy

  Around the Fur propelled Deftones to mainstream stardom through MTV and radio play. It was certified Platinum in 2011 and remains a staple of alternative metal, frequently cited as an influence by modern bands like Loathe and Bring Me The Horizon.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve