About

Linkin Park

Image: Linkin Park - Official Press Photo

Linkin Park: This name is known to anyone even remotely familiar with music. One of the biggest Nu-Metal and Alternative bands of our time, touching millions of people around the world. We take a look at the band's background, their history, and their new era.

Whether on Rock festivals or the radio, Linkin Park are simply unavoidable. They are regarded as one of the defining bands of Nu-Metal, although various other influences later emerged in their music. With the tragic death of Chester Bennington in 2017, the era of an icon came to an end. But Linkin Park as a band keeps going. Here, we will highlight their formation and their most successful years, but their future too.

Formation: Where Does The Band Name Linkin Park Come From?

In the beginning, Linkin Park had a completely different band name, and for a short time, there was even a different singer. The band was formed in 1996 in LA, California, under the name Xero. The idea for the band came from Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson; the two school friends attended an Anthrax concert together in 1991 and were inspired. Brad Delson - aka Phoenix - became the guitarist and Mike Shinoda the rapper, although he also took on background vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, and keyboard. Their school friend Rob Bourdon joined as the drummer. Joe Hahn became their DJ, and Dave Farrell their bassist. At the time, Mark Wakefield was chosen as their singer, but that didn’t last long. Their first demo didn’t sell well, and Wakefield left the band when no record deal was in sight.

However, Brad Delson had a connection to Jeff Blue from the Warner Music Group, who introduced them to Chester Bennington. Chester, who was singing for the band Grey Daze at the time, locked himself in a studio for three days and worked on the demo, impressing the band with the result. Once he joined, he quit his job and moved to California to focus entirely on music. Afterward, the band changed its name to Hybrid Theory, reflecting the combination of Mike’s rapping and Chester’s singing. With Jeff Blue’s help, they finally landed a record deal, but due to legal issues, they had to change their name again as there was already another band called Hybrid Theory.

The name Linkin Park was chosen because of a park in Santa Monica called Lincoln Park. When the group wanted to get a domain for their website, they had to go with a different spelling and settled on Linkin Park, which in the Californian accent sounds the same as Lincoln Park. Their debut album was then named Hybrid Theory.

Interestingly enough, there are many Lincoln Parks across the US, so the band was often mistakenly described as being newcomers from that area, which was not the case.

"There's been radio stations in Chicago that have said, 'Here's this local band, from Chicago, Linkin Park' - and that's actually been happening all over the country,"               - Phoenix 

What Does The Linkin Park Logo Mean?

The band logo shows the bands initials L and P, and the outer lines represent each of the six band members. After the death of Chester Bennington, only five lines remained in their logo.


Image: Linkin Park logo before and after Chester Bennington's death

The logo underwent a little more change in 2024, when an entirely new era was announced. The initials are just barely discernible and are enclosed in a cicle.

Image: Linkin Park Logo after the new era in 2024 was announced

Hybrid Theory: The Debut As The Most Successful Album

Even before the famous debut album, the Hybrid Theory EP was released in 1999. The album of the same name came out in 2000 and catapulted the band straight into the charts worldwide. Singles like “One Step Closer” and “Crawling” are still played on the radio today, but especially “In The End” is the song that has left a lasting impact on the audience. And this wasn’t something that Mike, the songwriter, expected.

“It didn’t feel big to me. It didn’t feel like a hit song. I wouldn’t know what a hit song felt like.”

Mike wrote most of the song overnight, and although their drummer considered it their best work, Chester might have chosen a different song as the single.

The overwhelming success of this album couldn’t be surpassed by later releases. Today, Hybrid Theory has received diamond certification and sold over 30 million copies. It won numerous music awards, including a Grammy, an Echo Pop, and two MTV Music Awards. As expected, many successful live shows followed, including support for Deftones.

The early songs of Linkin Park focused on personal issues, reflecting anger and emotional struggles. One of their defining trademarks was the catchy interplay between Mike’s rapping and Chester’s singing. However, the following albums would stylistically and thematically move beyond this.

Band History: Meteora And Follow-up Albums

After releasing a remix album called Reanimation in 2002, Linkin Park followed up with new music on Meteora in 2003. Despite not reaching the same success as Hybrid Theory, the album still outperformed artists like Celine Dion in sales.

In the following years, both Chester and Mike pursued side projects. Chester wrote music that he released with Dead by Sunrise, as he didn’t want to burden Linkin Park with his darker themes. Mike Shinoda, on the other hand, worked with Depeche Mode and formed the band Fort Minor.

Linkin Park performed the songs “QWERTY” and “Reading My Eyes” live for the first time while supporting Metallica. They were later released on the Underground EP.

Their third studio album, Minutes to Midnight, was released in 2007 and brought more political themes. The album title references the Doomsday Clock, which in 2007 was moved to five minutes before midnight. However, Shinoda said the title can also metaphorically represent themes like death and even the music industry. The album included well-known singles like “What I’ve Done,” also featured in the first Transformers movie, and has been certified five times platinum. Legendary producer Rick Rubin, known for his work with bands like AC/DC, Slayer, and Metallica, was chosen to produce the album. He worked with Linkin Park all the way through to Living Things.

In 2009, the EP Songs from the Underground was released, along with the new single “New Divide,” which became the theme song for the next Transformers movie, Revenge of the Fallen. Transformers 3 also featured a Linkin Park song: “Iridescent.”

In 2010, A Thousand Suns, Linkin Park’s first concept album, was released. Like its predecessors, it reached #1 in several countries, including Germany and the US. Living Things, released in 2012, continued this trend, while The Hunting Party, released in 2014, "only" reached #3 in the US. This album was produced by Mike Shinoda himself and featured a harder sound, with guest musicians from System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, and more!

The Death Of Chester Bennington

On May 19, 2017, the seventh Linkin Park album, One More Light, was released. It was the band’s last album with Chester Bennington, who tragically took his own life just four months later, at the age of 41. The day of his death was the birthday of his close friend Chris Cornell, who had also committed suicide earlier that year.

Mike Shinoda confirmed the heartbreaking news on Twitter:

“Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.”

The tour was, of course, canceled, but on October 28, a tribute concert was held, featuring many different bands, including Blink-182, Korn, Sum 41, System of a Down, and more. "Looking For An Answer" was performed live for the first time at this event. A live album of One More Light was released afterward in memory of Chester.

Fans and musicians around the world mourned the loss of Chester Bennington. His music, lyrics, and entire personality were a huge inspiration and even a source of help for many people. At the same time, Chester had a difficult childhood, coming into contact with drugs at an early age, and he struggled with these experiences throughout his entire life.

Linkin Park did not disband, but they didn’t actively search for a new lead singer. Mike Shinoda didn’t rule it out for the future, but the new singer would have to come to the band in a natural way. All in all, the band needed a break to process the enormous loss of Chester Bennington.

Here You Can Find Help

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are in a mentally challenging situation, you can get free help here.

If you are seeking help in the UK, you can reach out to the following support service:

The National Suicide Prevention Helpline is open from 6pm until midnight: 0800 689 5652

Or visit their website: www.spuk.org.uk

 
If you are seeking help in the USA, you can reach out to the following support service:

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is open 24/7 and free: 988

Or visit their website: 988lifeline.org

 
If you are seeking help in Australia, you can reach out to the following support service:

The Lifeline Australia is open 24/7 under: 13 11 14

Or visit their website: www.lifeline.org.au

2024: Linkin Park's Return With A New Lead Singer

Seven years later, the band returned with new music, new plans, and new faces. On September 6, 2024, after weeks of anticipation, Linkin Park finally revealed the mystery behind the countdown they had been teasing on social media. The wait was worth it, as the band announced not only a new lead singer and drummer but also a new album set for release that year, along with a tour starting the same month. Emily Armstrong joined the band as the new lead singer, while Colin Brittain took over the drumsticks. The new album: From Zero - a completely fresh start.

While there was an outpouring of enthusiasm from fans excited to see Linkin Park back in action, many also shared heartfelt messages remembering Chester Bennington. At the live comeback performance, Mike Shinoda symbolically passed Chester’s role to the audience. Included in the setlist was the new single “The Emptiness Machine”.

Image: Linkin Park [Official Press Photo 2024]

Music For Relief: A Foundation By Linkin Park

The foundation Music for Relief was established by Linkin Park in the early 2000s. In December 2004, the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered devastating tsunamis that affected the coastal regions. Linkin Park founded the organization to donate to local relief efforts. Music for Relief contributes to disaster preparedness, provides immediate relief in emergencies, and focuses on long-term recovery in affected areas.

You can find Music for Relief’s Instagram page here. Every donation helps!

Sound: From Nu-Metal To Pop?

In the ’90s, the two big pioneers of Nu-Metal, Korn and Limp Bizkit, emerged. Alongside them, a completely new genre grew, and Linkin Park was instrumental in its development. Along with bands like Slipknot, Linkin Park became one of the biggest Nu-Metal bands in the world. However, later albums featured far less of this raw sound. While Hybrid Theory and Meteora still shined in their original style, Linkin Park began experimenting with new elements and musical influences like electronic drum beats and poppy melodies. This trend was evident as early as Minutes to Midnight but became even more pronounced from A Thousand Suns onwards.

In 2017, we asked Linkin Park what their personal favorites among their own songs were. Mike said that at the time, his favorite songs were “Waiting For The End” from A Thousand Suns, “Leave Out All The Rest” from Minutes to Midnight, and “Nobody Can Save Me” from One More Light. Chester’s picks were “Sharp Edges” from One More Light, “Breaking The Habit” from Meteora, and “Papercut” from Hybrid Theory. The band stayed true to their early songs as well as their fans, while still embracing new musical directions.

Here you can watch the full Top Three interview with Linkin Park:

Music Releases

Discography

Hybrid Theory (EP)

Before the famous album Hybrid Theory was made, there was already an Hybrid Theory EP with the same title - even the band was still called Hybrid Theory at the time. A re-release in 2001 states that Mike Shinoda produced this work, while Dave Farrell recorded it.

Tracklist:

  1. Carousel
  2. Technique (Short)
  3. Step Up
  4. And One
  5. High Voltage
  6. Part of Me

Hybrid Theory

Linkin Park's first ever longplayer: Hybrid Theory is the breakthrough record of the band and one of the most influential Nu-Metal albums out there. It contains some of the most well-known songs of the band, including "In the end" as an absolute classic!

Tracklist:

  1. Papercut
  2. One Step Closer
  3. With You
  4. Points of Authority
  5. Crawling
  6. Runaway
  7. By Myself
  8. In the End
  9. A Place For My Head
  10. Forgotten
  11. Cure for the Itch
  12. Pushing Me Away

Meteora

Meteora is certainly one of the most successful Linkin Park albums from their entire discography, with top chart positions in multiple countries and popular singles such as "Breaking the Habit" and "Numb". A classic that we can luckily listen to over and over again!

Tracklist:

  1. Foreword
  2. Don't Stay
  3. Somewhere I Belong
  4. Lying From You
  5. Hit the Floor
  6. Easier to Run
  7. Faint
  8. Figure.09
  9. Breaking the Habit
  10. From the Inside
  11. Nobody's Listening
  12. Session
  13. Numb

Minutes To Midnight

Even prior to the release of Minutes To Midnight, Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda revealed that the album would be more experimental and much less Nu-Metal than their previous records. But that doesn't mean it wasn't still filled with songs to remember. Politic lyric themes and the single "What I've Done" that was featured in the first "Transformers" movie made clear that a new Linkin Park era had begun.

Tracklist:

  1. Wake
  2. Given Up
  3. Leave Out All The Rest
  4. Bleed It Out
  5. Shadow of the Day
  6. What I've Done
  7. Hands Held High
  8. No More Sorrow
  9. Valentine's Day
  10. In Between
  11. In Pieces
  12. The Little Things Give You Away

Songs From The Underground (EP)

With formerly unpublished songs and several live versions as well as demos, the Songs From The Underground EP by Linkin Park was a real treasure for every fan back in the days. Listen in to get a feel for the early Linkin Park vibes!

Tracklist:

  1. Announcement Service Public
  2. QWERTY (Studio Version)
  3. And One
  4. Sold My Soul to Yo Mama
  5. Dedicated (Demo 1999)
  6. Hunger Strike (Live from Projekt Revolution 2008 - Chris Cornell feat. Chester Bennington)
  7. My December (Live 2008)
  8. Part of Me

A Thousand Suns

The fourth studio album A Thousand Suns by Linkin Park marked ten years since the release of their debut record Hybrid Theory. During that time, the sound of their music changed and new fans discovered them for their innovative songs, while others criticised the lack of harder Nu-Metal elements. Again, a song was featured in a "Transformers" movie: "Iridescent".

Tracklist:

  1. The Reqiuem
  2. The Radiance
  3. Burning in the Skies
  4. Empty Spaces
  5. When They Come for Me
  6. Robot Boy
  7. Jornada del Muerto
  8. Waiting for the End
  9. Blackout
  10. Wretches and Kings
  11. Wisdom, Justice, and Love
  12. Iridescent
  13. Fallout
  14. The Catalyst
  15. The Messenger
  16. Blackbirds

Living Things

Living Things is yet another Linkin Park album that reached the top of the official album charts in the US, the UK, Germany and even more countries. The popularity of the band was still alive, even though new electronic elements and the Alternative Rock and poppy sound were a given by now. Still, the new albums sold lesser copies than their early works.

Tracklist:

  1. Lost in the Echo
  2. In My Remains
  3. Burn It Down
  4. Lies Greed Mysery
  5. I'll Be Gone
  6. Castle of Glass
  7. Victimized
  8. Roads Untraveled
  9. Skin to Bone
  10. Until It Breaks
  11. Tinfoil
  12. Powerless

The Hunting Party

Linkin Park delivered a little bit of a comeback to harder sounds with The Hunting Party, an album that Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson produced themselves. Songs like "Until It's Gone" and "Final Masquerade" are definitely good at getting stuck in your ear.

Tracklist:

  1. Keys to the Kingdom
  2. All for Nothing (feat. Page Hamilton)
  3. Guilty All the Same (feat. Rakim)
  4. The Summoning
  5. War
  6. Wastelands
  7. Until It's Gone
  8. Rebellion (feat. Daron Malakian)
  9. Mark the Graves
  10. Drawbar (feat. Tom Morello)
  11. Final Masquerade
  12. A Line in the Sand

One More Light

Maybe this is the most memorable album by Linkin Park besides Hybrid Theory, as One More Light was the last record of the band released with Chester Bennington on vocals. During the same year, Chester tragically commited suicide and the world lost a true inspiration and Rock icon. His music and his memory will forever live on through his fans.

Tracklist:

  1. Nobody Can Save Me
  2. Good Goodbye (feat. Pusha T and Stormzy)
  3. Talking To Myself
  4. Battle Symphony
  5. Invisible
  6. Heavy (feat. Kiiara)
  7. Sorry for Now
  8. Halfway Right
  9. One More Light
  10. Sharp Edges

Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000 - 2023)

As the conclusion of one huge Linkin Park era, the band published the best-of album Papercuts in 2024, before returning to the stage with a new singer. The record includes all of their highlights from Hybrid Theory onwards, as well as the song "Friendly Fire" that hadn't been published before.

Tracklist:

  1. Crawling
  2. Faint
  3. Numb/encore (with Jay-Z)
  4. Papercut
  5. Breaking The Habit
  6. In the End
  7. Bleed It Out
  8. Somewhere I Belong
  9. Waiting for the End
  10. Castle of Glass
  11. One More Light
  12. Burn It Down
  13. What I've Done
  14. Qwerty
  15. One Step Closer
  16. New Divide
  17. Leave Out All the Rest
  18. Lost
  19. Numb
  20. Friendly Fire

From Zero

From Zero: Das Comeback-Album von Linkin Park. Mit Emily Armstrong als Sängerin kehrt die Band 2024 zurück und erobert erneut die Charts. Der Titel ist von ihrem ursprünglichen Bandnamen Xero abgeleitet und steht für genau das, was dieses Comeback symbolisiert, nämlich einen kompletten Neuanfang.

Tracklist:

  1. From Zero
  2. The Emptiness Machine
  3. Cut the Bridge
  4. Heavy Is the Crown
  5. Over Each Other
  6. Casualty
  7. Overflow
  8. Two Faced
  9. Stained
  10. IGYEIH
  11. Good Things Go