Борис Гребенщиков
Linkin Park is an American rock band founded in 1996 in Agoura Hills, California, USA. The group was originally formed by Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon; they were later joined by Joe Hahn, Dave «Phoenix» Farrell and vocalist Mark Wakefield. In 1999, Chester Bennington became the lead vocalist. Linkin Park’s music spans alternative rock, nu metal, rap rock, alternative metal, electronic music and pop rock. The band has sold more than 100 million records, won two Grammy Awards and ranks among the most commercially successful rock acts of the early 21st century. Following Bennington’s death in 2017, Linkin Park suspended active work, before returning in 2024 with co-lead vocalist Emily Armstrong, drummer Colin Brittain and their eighth studio album, From Zero.
Linkin Park’s reputation was built largely on the albums Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteora (2003), which featured songs such as «In the End», «Crawling», «Papercut», «Numb», «Faint», «Somewhere I Belong» and «Breaking the Habit». The band later changed musical direction repeatedly: Minutes to Midnight moved closer to alternative rock, A Thousand Suns emphasized electronics and studio experimentation, The Hunting Party brought heavy guitars back to the forefront, while One More Light was oriented primarily toward contemporary pop music.
The formation of Xero
Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson met while attending school in Agoura Hills. Together with drummer Rob Bourdon, they began creating music that combined Shinoda’s interest in hip-hop and sampling with Delson’s passion for heavy rock.
The first incarnation of the band was called Xero. Vocalist Mark Wakefield, DJ Joe Hahn and bassist Dave Farrell joined the group. Early recordings were made in Shinoda’s home studio. Even at this stage, the music incorporated guitar riffs, rap, electronic beats and samples — elements that would later become characteristic of Linkin Park’s first albums.
Xero recorded demo material but failed to attract major record labels. Wakefield eventually left the group. Dave Farrell was also temporarily absent because of his involvement in another project.
Chester Bennington and Hybrid Theory
In 1999, the group was introduced to Arizona vocalist Chester Bennington, who had previously performed with Grey Daze. He received instrumental recordings by Xero, recorded vocals over them and traveled to California for an audition.
After Bennington joined, the group briefly used the name Hybrid Theory. In 1999, an eponymous EP was recorded under that name. The band was forced to change it because another group already had a similar name.
The next option was Lincoln Park, a reference to Lincoln Park in Santa Monica. The spelling was eventually changed to Linkin Park. During this period, the band secured a contract with Warner Bros. Records.
By the time work on the debut album began, the line-up associated with Linkin Park’s classic era had taken shape:
- Chester Bennington — vocals;
- Mike Shinoda — vocals, rap, keyboards, guitar, programming;
- Brad Delson — guitar;
- Dave «Phoenix» Farrell — bass guitar;
- Joe Hahn — turntables, samples, programming;
- Rob Bourdon — drums.
Hybrid Theory and global success
Linkin Park’s debut album Hybrid Theory, produced by Don Gilmore, was released on October 24, 2000. Its title preserved a reference to the band’s previous name.
The record combined heavy guitar parts with hip-hop rhythms, electronic programming, Joe Hahn’s scratching, Mike Shinoda’s rapping and Chester Bennington’s vocals. At the same time, the songs were compact and melodic enough to carry the band far beyond a strictly nu-metal audience.
The main singles were:
- «One Step Closer»;
- «Crawling»;
- «Papercut»;
- «In the End».
«In the End» reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Hybrid Theory received Diamond certification in the United States and became the band’s biggest commercial release. Linkin Park won their first Grammy for «Crawling» in the Best Hard Rock Performance category. The album itself was nominated for Best Rock Album, while the band received a nomination for Best New Artist.
Linkin Park’s breakthrough came during the peak of nu metal, but the group differed from many of its contemporaries through the prominent role of electronics and the presence of two full-fledged vocal centers. Shinoda’s rap and Bennington’s vocals could function independently or develop the same song in sequence, creating the distinctive verse-and-chorus structure associated with early Linkin Park.
Reanimation
In 2002, Linkin Park released Reanimation, an album of remixes and reinterpretations of material from Hybrid Theory. The musicians went far beyond conventional club remixes: many tracks received new arrangements, additional vocal parts and altered structures.
The project featured artists from hip-hop and electronic music and gave Linkin Park an opportunity to bring the electronic side of their sound, which had shared space with heavy guitars on the debut album, much further to the foreground.
Meteora
The second studio album, Meteora, was released on March 25, 2003. It continued the musical model of Hybrid Theory but featured more detailed studio production and an expanded use of electronics and samples.
The album included «Somewhere I Belong», «Faint», «Numb», «Breaking the Habit», «From the Inside» and «Lying from You». Meteora debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and firmly established Linkin Park’s international success.
«Numb» proved especially enduring. The song became one of the band’s most recognizable singles and later formed the basis of a collaboration with Jay-Z.
Collision Course with Jay-Z
In 2004, Linkin Park and Jay-Z recorded the EP Collision Course. The project consisted of mashups combining songs by both artists into new compositions.
The best-known track was «Numb/Encore», built from Linkin Park’s «Numb» and Jay-Z’s «Encore». In 2006, it earned the group their second Grammy, for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. To date, this remains Linkin Park’s second and most recent competitive Grammy win.
Projekt Revolution and Music for Relief
In 2002, the band launched its own touring project, Projekt Revolution. Its line-ups brought together artists from rock, metal, alternative music and hip-hop, reflecting Linkin Park’s own genre-blending identity.
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the members created the charitable organization Music for Relief. It raised funds for victims of natural disasters and supported environmental initiatives.
Minutes to Midnight: a change in sound
The third studio album, Minutes to Midnight, was released in 2007. It was produced by Rick Rubin and Mike Shinoda.
On this album, Linkin Park significantly reduced their reliance on the formula associated with Hybrid Theory and Meteora. Rap appeared only on some tracks, guitar arrangements moved closer to alternative rock, and the themes of several songs expanded beyond personal experiences.
The main singles were «What I've Done», «Bleed It Out», «Shadow of the Day», «Given Up» and «Leave Out All the Rest».
«What I've Done» was featured in the film Transformers. Linkin Park later continued working with the franchise: «New Divide» appeared in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, while «Iridescent» was featured in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
A Thousand Suns
A Thousand Suns was released in 2010, once again produced by Rick Rubin and Mike Shinoda.
The album differed significantly from Linkin Park’s earlier work. Synthesizers, electronic rhythms, processed vocals, instrumental transitions and short interludes played a much larger role. The record also incorporated excerpts from historical speeches by Robert Oppenheimer, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mario Savio.
Key tracks included «The Catalyst», «Waiting for the End», «Burning in the Skies» and «Iridescent».
A Thousand Suns made it clear that Linkin Park had no intention of limiting the rest of their career to nu metal. The albums that followed continued this approach of constantly changing the balance between rock, electronic music and pop.
Living Things
On Living Things (2012), Linkin Park partially returned to shorter and more direct song structures while retaining a substantial electronic component. Mike Shinoda’s rapping once again became a prominent part of the material, while the guitars were more active than on A Thousand Suns.
The best-known songs included «Burn It Down», «Lost in the Echo», «Castle of Glass» and «Powerless». The album topped the Billboard 200.
In 2013, the band released Recharged, a collection of remixes of Living Things tracks and additional material.
The Hunting Party
The sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, was released in 2014. After the electronically oriented A Thousand Suns and Living Things, the band shifted its focus back toward live drums and heavy guitars.
The album featured several guest musicians:
- Rakim — «Guilty All the Same»;
- Page Hamilton of Helmet — «All for Nothing»;
- Daron Malakian of System of a Down — «Rebellion»;
- Tom Morello — «Drawbar».
The Hunting Party differs noticeably from Linkin Park’s early nu-metal sound. It draws more heavily from alternative metal, hardcore and traditional heavy rock.
One More Light
Linkin Park’s seventh studio album, One More Light, was released on May 19, 2017. In contrast to The Hunting Party, it was built primarily around electronic pop production and vocal melodies.
During the recording process, the band collaborated with outside songwriters and producers. The lead single was «Heavy», recorded with American singer Kiiara. The album also included «Talking to Myself», «Battle Symphony», «Nobody Can Save Me» and the title track «One More Light».
The sharp change in direction received a mixed response from some listeners accustomed to the band’s heavier material. However, by that point stylistic change was hardly unusual for Linkin Park: virtually every album after Meteora differed substantially from the one before it.
The death of Chester Bennington
On July 20, 2017, Chester Bennington died at his home in California at the age of 41. The investigation determined that the cause of death was suicide. Linkin Park subsequently canceled the remaining dates of the One More Light tour.
On October 27, 2017, the concert Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington was held at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The band was joined by numerous guest musicians and vocalists.
After the concert, Linkin Park did not officially announce a breakup, but the group’s active work came to a halt.
Hiatus and archival releases
In the following years, the members focused on their own projects. Mike Shinoda released the solo album Post Traumatic in 2018.
In 2020, Linkin Park released the expanded Hybrid Theory: 20th Anniversary Edition, featuring demos, early releases, live material and other archival recordings.
In 2023, an anniversary edition of Meteora was released. Its most prominent new track was «Lost», featuring Chester Bennington’s vocals recorded during the album sessions in the early 2000s. «Fighting Myself», «More the Victim» and other previously unreleased recordings were also issued.
In April 2024, the compilation Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000–2023) was released. It included the band’s major singles as well as the previously unreleased song «Friendly Fire», recorded during the One More Light sessions.
Linkin Park’s return
On September 5, 2024, Linkin Park performed publicly for the first time in seven years and introduced a revised line-up. Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell and Joe Hahn were joined by Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara as co-lead vocalist and Colin Brittain as drummer and producer. The single «The Emptiness Machine» was released the same day.
Rob Bourdon did not participate in the return. According to Mike Shinoda, several years earlier the drummer had told his bandmates that he wanted to distance himself from Linkin Park’s activities and gradually stopped taking part in group projects. His position was taken by Colin Brittain.
Brad Delson did not leave Linkin Park. He continues to participate in studio work and concert preparation, but after the band’s return chose not to take part in regular touring. On stage, his guitar parts are performed by Alex Feder. Delson explained that he wanted to focus on studio and creative work within the group.
From Zero
On November 15, 2024, Linkin Park released their eighth studio album, From Zero — their first full-length record since One More Light and their first album with Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain.
The title From Zero references the band’s original name, Xero. Musically, the album brings together elements from several previous eras of Linkin Park: heavy guitars, Mike Shinoda’s rap, electronic programming, Joe Hahn’s scratching and the alternation between two lead vocalists.
The album included:
- «The Emptiness Machine»;
- «Cut the Bridge»;
- «Heavy Is the Crown»;
- «Over Each Other»;
- «Casualty»;
- «Overflow»;
- «Two Faced»;
- «Stained»;
- «IGYEIH»;
- «Good Things Go».
From Zero reached No. 1 on the album charts in 14 countries, including the United Kingdom. «The Emptiness Machine» became the defining single of the first stage of the band’s return.
«Heavy Is the Crown» was selected as the official song of the 2024 League of Legends World Championship.
From Zero Deluxe Edition
In 2025, the band released an expanded edition of From Zero. It added three new studio tracks:
- «Up From the Bottom»;
- «Unshatter»;
- «Let You Fade».
According to the band, «Unshatter» originated during the early stages of work on From Zero, «Let You Fade» was started during the main sessions and completed later, while «Up From the Bottom» was recorded between touring legs after Linkin Park’s return.
Grammy nominations after the return
At the 68th Grammy Awards in 2026, Linkin Park received two nominations: From Zero was nominated for Best Rock Album, while «The Emptiness Machine» competed for Best Rock Performance. The band did not win in either category.
As a result, Linkin Park’s official Grammy record as of 2026 stands at two wins from eight nominations.
Linkin Park line-up
Current members:
- Mike Shinoda — vocals, rap, keyboards, guitar, programming;
- Brad Delson — guitar, studio work; does not participate in regular touring;
- Dave «Phoenix» Farrell — bass guitar;
- Joe Hahn — turntables, samples, programming;
- Emily Armstrong — vocals, since 2024;
- Colin Brittain — drums, production, since 2024.
Major former members:
- Chester Bennington — vocals, 1999–2017;
- Rob Bourdon — drums, 1996–2017;
- Mark Wakefield — vocals during the Xero period.
Musical style
Linkin Park’s first two albums are usually classified as nu metal, alternative metal and rap rock. They are characterized by down-tuned guitars, electronic samples, hip-hop beats, scratching, rap and the contrast between clean and extreme vocals.
Beginning with Minutes to Midnight, the band gradually moved away from being tied to a single genre. On A Thousand Suns, electronics became a central element of the arrangements; Living Things combined electronic production with more traditional song structures; The Hunting Party focused on heavy guitar rock; One More Light moved toward electronic pop.
From Zero brought many elements from different periods of the group’s history back into a single album without fully returning to the sound of Hybrid Theory or Meteora.
Programming, sampling, the combination of rock and hip-hop, and the use of multiple vocal approaches have remained recurring elements of Linkin Park’s music. In the classic line-up, the main contrast was between Mike Shinoda’s rap and singing and Chester Bennington’s vocals. Since 2024, the two-vocalist dynamic has centered on Shinoda and Emily Armstrong.
Linkin Park discography
Studio albums
- Hybrid Theory — 2000
- Meteora — 2003
- Minutes to Midnight — 2007
- A Thousand Suns — 2010
- Living Things — 2012
- The Hunting Party — 2014
- One More Light — 2017
- From Zero — 2024
Other major releases
- Hybrid Theory EP — 1999
- Reanimation — 2002, remix album
- Collision Course — 2004, collaborative EP with Jay-Z
- Recharged — 2013, remix album
- Hybrid Theory: 20th Anniversary Edition — 2020
- Meteora: 20th Anniversary Edition — 2023
- Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000–2023) — 2024
- From Zero (Deluxe Edition) — 2025
Linkin Park’s place in modern rock music
Linkin Park did not invent nu metal and were not the first musicians to combine rock and rap. By the time Hybrid Theory was released, similar approaches had already been used by Rage Against the Machine, Korn, Limp Bizkit and other bands. What distinguished Linkin Park was the particular form of that combination: electronic production, heavy guitars, rap, melodic choruses and two contrasting vocalists all existed within a compact song structure.
Hybrid Theory and Meteora became two of the most successful rock albums of the early 2000s, but the band’s later discography shows that Linkin Park did not preserve their formula unchanged. Over the next several releases, they moved through alternative rock, electronic music, heavy guitar-driven material and pop-oriented production.
Chester Bennington’s death divided the band’s history into two distinct periods. The recordings from 2000–2017 remain inseparable from his voice and creative contribution. The 2024 return, however, was not presented as an attempt to recreate the previous line-up: Emily Armstrong joined the band as a new co-lead vocalist, while From Zero became the first studio material by the revised line-up.
As of 2026, Linkin Park continue to record and tour. Their core discography consists of eight studio albums, and the From Zero era represents an active chapter in the band’s history rather than an archival reunion.
