Metal singers, known for their powerful and often guttural vocal delivery, frequently put a strain on their vocal cords during performances. This strain can sometimes lead to throat injuries, affecting their singing ability. One example of this challenge is the experience of the Deftones’ lead singer Chino Moreno.
Back in 2001, the frontman hurt his throat because of intense screaming. His right vocal cord was swollen, and his left one wasn’t working well, with some loss of movement. At the time, Deftones was on the tour with Godsmack and Puddle of Mudd, which kicked off on July 13 at the Gorge Amphitheatre and ended on September 7 at Alltel Pavilion, Raleigh.
Adapting To A Vocal Injury On Tour
For the duration of their ongoing tour, after Moreno’s vocal injury, a change had to be made in the band’s performance. Typically, Moreno was responsible for both singing the mellower, more melodic parts of their songs, and delivering the intense screaming that characterizes many metal performances.
However, due to his throat condition, doctors strongly advised him to avoid singing to allow time for his vocal cords to heal properly. Despite the medical recommendations and ongoing rumors that the band might need to cancel the remaining part of their tour, the show went on.
To adapt to the situation, the band’s bassist, Chi Cheng, took on the vocal duties that involved screaming. Chino, on the other hand, focused on singing the softer, more melodic sections of their songs. This adjustment allowed Deftones to continue performing as scheduled, even with their lead singer temporarily sidelined due to his throat injury.
Additional Health Challenges Of Moreno
In later years, the singer went on to experience other health issues, as well. Cheng talked to MTV.com about an injury during a tour in 2003. While it was initially called a ‘groin injury,’ Cheng provided more details about it. He explained that Chino had accidentally injured himself, likely while performing on stage. This injury caused blood to collect behind one of his testicles, making it swell up. It was so uncomfortable that the vocalist couldn’t stand for a few days, affecting the band’s tour schedule.
In 2017, Moreno broke the top of his foot, leading the band to cancel a show in Germany. The band said Chino needed a day or two to rest, but they hoped to continue the tour without further cancellations. They refunded the tickets for the canceled show in Germany and aimed to return for their fans there.
