Deftones have stormed the Billboard charts with their tenth studio album, “Private Music,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart for the week ending August 28, 2025. The album, released on August 22 via Reprise and Warner Records, sold an impressive 87,000 equivalent album units in its first week, solidifying the band’s continued relevance after nearly three decades in the industry.
The Nick Raskulinecz-produced record also claimed the top spot on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, breaking the band’s previous streak of number two placements held by earlier albums including “Diamond Eyes,” “Gore,” and “Ohms.” Additionally, “Private Music” topped the Top Hard Rock Album chart, marking the third consecutive Deftones album to debut at number one in this category following “Gore” and “Ohms.”
Singles from the album have performed exceptionally well, with “Infinite Source” reaching number one on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart with 4.2 million US streams. The lead single, “My Mind Is a Mountain,” achieved a historic milestone by topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, marking the first time Deftones have reached this summit. This success ended a 27-year wait to top that chart, breaking the previous longest gap record set by Evanescence.
Critical reception for “Private Music” has been overwhelmingly positive, with the album earning a Metacritic score of 91/100 based on ten professional reviews. Major publications including “Clash” (9/10), “Kerrang!” (5/5), and “Pitchfork” (7.6/10) praised the album’s emotional depth and artistic growth compared to previous works. The band has leveraged this critical acclaim to secure several sync deals for tracks from the album, generating additional revenue streams beyond traditional sales and streaming. The band’s strategic use of pre-save campaigns across streaming platforms helped build anticipation and drive first-week numbers significantly higher than projected.
The album represents a significant breakthrough for Deftones, who have now set a new record for the longest time from first charting on Mainstream Rock Airplay to reaching number one – 27 years and 3 months. The album also entered the overall Billboard 200 chart at number 5, demonstrating its broad appeal beyond just rock audiences.
With Fred Sablan participating as touring bassist, replacing Sergio Vega who departed in 2021, “Private Music” stands as a reflection of the band’s evolution and enduring appeal in contemporary rock music. Lead vocalist Chino Moreno and the band are currently touring the U.S. to support their latest release after a five-year hiatus.
