When you reach MX, the final track on Deftones’ Around the Fur (1997), you’re not just finishing an album, you’re getting thrown into a storm of chaos, tension, and raw energy. This isn’t just a typical album closer. MX is Deftones fully unleashed, blending aggression, seduction, and playfulness in a way that only they can pull off.
The Sound
From the first distorted riff, MX hits like a slap in the face. The guitars are thick and grinding, Abe Cunningham’s drums slam with relentless groove, and Chino Moreno’s vocals whip between snarls, whispers, and sneers. It’s a sonic rollercoaster heavy, groovy, and unpredictable, with moments that feel both suffocating and strangely hypnotic.
What makes MX stand out is its dynamic shifts: Deftones play with tension and release masterfully here, teasing you with build-ups and then exploding into chaotic choruses. The track’s closing minutes descend into almost absurd, playful banter between Chino and guest voice Annalynn Cunningham, making it one of the most bizarre yet unforgettable endings to any Deftones album.
Lyrics & Themes
MX is drenched in themes of toxic desire, control, and confrontation. Chino’s delivery swings between aggressive demands and sultry taunts, creating a push-and-pull tension that feels volatile and charged. There’s a mix of menace and sensuality in the lyrics, reflecting the blurred emotional lines Deftones often explore.
The ending dialogue (“You could just suck my ass” / “Yeah, right!”) is legendary among fans. It’s jarring, funny, and weirdly human, a moment of levity after the intensity, leaving listeners grinning or shaking their heads.
Why It Still Matters
Even decades later, MX still feels dangerous and fresh. It captures Deftones at a moment when they were pushing beyond their nu-metal roots and shaping a sound that blended metal, alt-rock, shoegaze, and even trip-hop atmospheres. It’s a track that shows why Deftones stand apart from their peers. They weren’t afraid to be weird, sexy, and ferocious all at once.
Final Thoughts
MX is more than just a song it’s an experience. It’s the sound of a band on the edge, unafraid to dive into chaos and come out laughing on the other side. Whether you’re drawn in by the crushing riffs, the emotional whiplash, or the infamous outro, MX remains a standout moment in Deftones’ legendary discography, one that still leaves listeners wondering, “What the hell just happened?”
Below is a lyric video for the song MX by Deftones.
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