by Deftones frontman Chino Moreno recently opened up about his unexpected path to becoming a vocalist. He revealed his ongoing uncertainties about his singing abilities in an interview on Broken Record Podcast.
Moreno discussed how he never initially intended to be a singer. He explained his early musical aspirations and how he ended up fronting one of alternative metal’s most influential bands.
“I was pretty shy when I was young. I would sing along to records but just to myself, not in front of people. So it was kind of out of nowhere. I wanted to play the drums. To me that seemed like the funnest thing ever just like bang on these drums. I really love rhythm and I still do,” Moreno said.
He went on to explain how meeting his future bandmate changed his musical trajectory.
“But I met Abe when I was in junior high school and he was already like a brilliant drummer at 12. So I needed to find something to do if I wanted to be in the band with everybody. So, Stephan actually, he’s the one who was like, ‘Oh, you’re going to be the singer.’ And I was like, ‘Okay,’” he continued.
Moreno maintains a humble perspective on his vocal abilities despite decades of success with Deftones.
“So, it was like kind of cool that like, you know, he made me believe that I could sing and I really couldn’t. I mean, it was really like trial by error a lot of it, you know, and kind of still is. I mean, I still don’t really know what I’m doing. I just kind of I don’t know. I guess just figure it out as I’m going still to this day,” he added.
Moreno’s self-doubt stands in stark contrast to the widespread recognition he has received throughout his career as one of alternative metal’s most distinctive and influential vocalists.
Vocal analysts noted that Moreno is known for a highly distinctive vocal style that blends quiet, intense singing with occasional gravel and distortion, creating an emotional and haunting delivery. He often sings with very little air pressure yet conveys deep intensity, which is a challenging but defining characteristic of his voice. His vocal production incorporates ethereal reverbs and haunting distortions while maintaining a natural purity underneath the grit.
Moreno is considered iconic as Deftones’ frontman, with his voice a crucial element of the band’s identity. The Range Planet highlighted that his dynamic and versatile vocal approach allows smooth transitions from gentle melodies to powerful screams, which has been central to Deftones’ alternative metal sound throughout their nine studio albums. His vocal techniques have been subject of detailed analysis and admiration for their emotional depth and technical control.
In 2024 and 2025, vocal analysts and music educators have continued to examine Moreno’s singing techniques. Recent vocal analysis videos showed that his unique ability to produce a wide range of vocal textures and effects both naturally and electronically has drawn continued praise. His recent collaborations and vocal performances, including duets with notable artists, have been praised. However, Moreno has reportedly expressed personal doubts about his singing ability despite this recognition.
The candid admission offers insight into the creative process of one of alternative rock’s most distinctive voices. It reveals that even highly accomplished artists can struggle with self-doubt about their craft.
