Deftones Ride Their ‘White Pony’ to No. 3

Deftones, a Sacramento band that melds thrash metal, moody dirges andhip-hop turntables, debuts at No. 3 on the nation’s album chart this week with “White Pony,” while cartoonish, speed-rapping Busta Rhymes returns to the scene at No. 4 with his “Anarchy” album.

The top spot still belongs to Eminem, the mercurial rapper whose biting, graphic lyrics have inspired controversy and critical plaudits--and sales of 4 million since late May.

“White Pony,” which sold 178,000 copies in its first week, joins two other rap-rock acts near the top of the chart: Kid Rock with “History of Rock” at No. 6 and Papa Roach (another Sacramento band) at No. 11 with “Infest.”

For Rhymes, “Anarchy” marks his fourth album and features several subdued tracks--an unusual tone for the boisterous Brooklyn rapper.

The new disc, which sold 168,000 copies in its first week, also features guest turns by fellow New Yorkers Jay-Z and DMX.

The Top 5 is rounded out by the superstars of youth pop, with Britney Spears at No. 2 and ‘N Sync at No. 5.

Debuting at No. 12 this week is the R&B; trio Next with “Welcome II Nextasy.” The sophomore album from the smooth groove Twin Cities outfit seeks to follow up on its double-platinum 1997 album “Rated Next” and its biggest hit, “Too Close.”

Other notable debuts this week: Los Angeles rap group Jurassic 5 with “Quality Control” at No. 43; child country singer Billy Gilman’s “One Voice” at No. 52; Canadian chanteuse k.d. lang at No. 58 with “Invincible Summer”; and Seattle rockers Sunny Day Real Estate at No. 97 with “Rising Tide.”

Two veteran acts from the rock world, meanwhile, saw their albums slide this week.

Don Henley’s “Inside Job,” his first studio album in more than a decade, falls from No. 14 to No. 25, while Bon Jovi’s “Crush,” the group’s first new effort in more than five years, tumbles from No. 9 to No. 29 in its second week on the chart.

On the singles chart, Enrique Iglesias holds onto No. 1 with “Solo Me Importas Tu,” followed by Christina Aguilera’s “I Turn to You” and Mariah Carey’s “Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)” at No. 2 and 3, respectively.