Back catalogue: Indie/Alternative

Review: It's difficult to describe to those too young to have been there and to those too old to give a toss, just how rife the anticipation was for the sophomore full-length from nu-metal giants Linkin Park following on from the global success of their multi-platinum selling debut album Hybrid Theory in 2000. Following what felt like an eternal three years, both shortened and lengthened by the bloated remix album Reanimation, 2003's Meteora was nothing short of lightning striking in the same place twice. Debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200, certified 8xPlatinium and currently ranked as the 8th highest selling album of the 21st century, to call the band's second album a success seems like a very muted understatement when anthems such as 'Somewhere I Belong', 'Faint', and, 'Numb' are still some of the highest charting and most world-renowned metal singles to ever blare out across the airwaves. While musically drifting further away from their nu-metal beginnings with each subsequent project, both Meteora and its predecessor belong to a subset of genre-defining classics that appear to become more embraced and less maligned with age, as the nu-metal subgenre becomes less of a dirty word. It also goes without saying that the incomparable vocal presence of late frontman Chester Bennington as well as his vulnerable and cathartic lyricism take on a far more bleak and oppressive shade with the folly of hindsight.

Review: With the tragic, untimely passing of lead vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017, it naturally appeared to be the end for nu-metal/alt rock juggernauts Linkin Park, until recently shocking their fans with the confirmed news that Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong would be taking Bennington's place, while new drummer Colin Brittain would step in to replace Rob Bourdain who decided not to join the reformation. Serving as the follow up to 2017's pop focused One More Light, the band's upcoming eight full-length LP From Zero takes its title from their original early day name Xero whilst highlighting this newly defined creative origin the members have found themselves cornered into, bearing clear signs of a desire to celebrate their nu-metal beginnings without undoing the decades worth of progression they have accomplished since. With 11 tracks and just over a half-hour runtime, it's evident the project appears to be prioritising brevity and a succinct introduction to this new era without losing site of what sonically drew their legions of fans to them in the first place. It's a brave, delicate time for Linkin Park with From Zero championed as the heralding of this new chapter, aiming to hopefully bridge and appease listeners from all spectrums of their back catalogue.

Review: Certified 12xPlatinum, winning Best Hard Rock Performance for 'Crawling' at the 44th Grammy Awards, and classified as the bestselling debut album since Guns N' Roses' Appetite For Destruction; the first full-length from nu-metal legends Linkin Park was a world event around the time of its release at the turn of the new millennium. Living up to its title Hybrid Theory with an effortless fusion of alternative metal, hip-hop and turntablism, all unified under late frontman Chester Bennington's immense vocal range and vulnerable lyricism, the project became an instant classic upon release with singles such as the aforementioned 'Crawling', 'Papercut', 'One Step Closer', and, 'In The End', all going on to achieve either Platinum or Diamond status in numerous territories in the decades since. While the band would eventually stray into the realms of U2-indebted arena rock, both this debut and their 2003 sophomore follow up Meteora are still considered, to this day, to be some of the finest, most accessible and pristine displays of the once maligned nu-metal subgenre.

Review: Following the tragic passing of frontman Chester Bennington in 2017, many presumed the natural end of nu-metal turned alt rock giants Linkin Park. Rattling their fanbase with news of a resurgence with Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong, as well as new drummer Colin Brittain (replacing Rob Bourdain who opted not to join the reunion), From Zero nods to the band's original moniker of Xero while also ushering in this new era for the group, whereas sonically, the band do their best to simultaneously pay credence to their heavier origins whilst naturally progressing towards their newfound vision. Their first full-length since 2017's pop-oriented One More Light may come as a shock to many devout to the Bennington era, but the earnestness in composition sees a retrospective embracing of nu-metal motifs yet modified and extrapolated to embolden this entirely new compositional framework. Attempting to compare to prior releases is naturally par for the course yet won't do much to alter this new musical trajectory, as From Zero swells with the breath of an entirely fresh project that owes humble countenance to the Linkin Park of yesteryear. At 11 tracks clocking on at just over a half-hour, the mission statement is one of succinct brevity and urgency, but whether it truly fills the Bennington shaped void is down to each unique set of ears.

Review: The Certified 12xPlatinum Grammy Award winning seminal debut album from nu-metal heavyweights Linkin Park is set to receive a brand-new limited reissue (along with 2003's Meteora and 2007's Minutes to Midnight) on what has been dubbed the "One Step" remasters. These high-quality audiophile pressings launch the new "Because Sound Matters One-Step" series, with each release providing details of the audio sourcing process; all housed in newly designed slipcases. Pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, numbered and limited to 3,000 copies, mark our words when we say you've never heard the genre-defining hits such as 'One Step Closer', 'Papercut', 'Crawling', or, 'In The End', with this level of clarity and fidelity, while the band's effortless fusion of metal, hip-hop, alternative rock and turntable wizardry, emboldened by the legendary production guru Terry Date, has rarely radiated such towering sonic warmth. Above all, the vulnerable lyricism and cathartic cadence of late, great lead vocalist Chester Bennington looms large and poignant.

Review: Originally released in 2014 and now celebrating its ten year anniversary, The Hunting Party served as the sixth full-length from nu-metal turned alt rock heavyweights Linkin Park. Marking their first full-length since 2003's Meteora to not be produced by the iconic Rick Rubin (with members Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson opting to handle production duties inhouse), the material bore a notable turn from their more accessible electronic-tinged U2-esque stadium rock and saw a rediscovery and embracing of their more aggressive nu-metal roots. Certified platinum and praised for their ability to still replicate their feral early days, the album is also noted for being the band's first LP to feature guest musicians such as Page Hamilton of Helmet, Daron Malakian of System of a Down, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, and hip-hop artist Rakim. This new anniversary edition comes as side-4 etched 2xLP pressed on aquatic translucent blue vinyl.

Review: Unless you're a dedicated disciple, it's only when faced with a 23-year-spanning collection of their singles that you hear the evolution of Linkin Park. Opening with arguably their biggest crossover success of all time, 'Crawling', a track that catapulted them to mainstream success, early inclusions here are difficult to pin down. So, while 'Faint', 'Bleed It Out', and 'In the End', the latter another of their outright anthems, all fit the alternative rock blueprint, fare like 'Numb/Encore' wander down different avenues. Electronica? Syth-hop? Rocktronica? Call it what you like, as Papercuts progresses the scope narrows between the individual tunes, but becomes more focused, bringing together multiple elements that had been experimented with into one commanding whole. Compelling evidence for why they deserve the longevity they've enjoyed, and just how tragic the loss of Chester Bennington was.