White Pony is the third
studio album by American
alternative metal band
Deftones, released on June 20, 2000. It marked a significant growth in the band's sound and is considered a turning point for the band in terms of experimentation, incorporating more
new wave,
dream pop,
trip hop, and
shoegazing influences into the alternative metal edge for which the group had become known. It is generally regarded by fans and critics alike as one of their most mature outings, despite being one of the group's last albums to be described by some critics as
nu metal and despite the band's past association with the movement.
White Pony is also their highest-selling album to date. The album was certified platinum by the
RIAA on July 17, 2002. The album features three successful
singles as well as the
2001 Grammy Award-winning track for
Best Metal Performance, "
Elite."