Beginning with the name “Xero” then transitioning to “Hybrid Theory” and releasing their first EP in 1999, Linkin Park began it’s first major steps into the music world. Changing the name once more, Linkin Park had made an extreme jump. Signing with a label and recording their excellent debut album, “Hybrid Theory”, an album that mixed had brought an existing but less known genre to the eyes and ears of many, Nu Metal.
From beginning to end this album pulls it off. The first track, “Papercut”, was a spectacular beginning. Joe Hahn, Linkin Park’s turntablist, brings a beat followed by the sounds of guitars shredding, and finally bringing in the drums. Bringing an epic sound at start it tones down so everyone’s ears can hear Mike Shinoda’s hardcore rapping. Then a loud, banging chorus by Chester Bennington keeps the attention as it transitions to Mike’s second verse. Following again is the chorus to the bridge where Chester brings a range of singing starting high and low, with the chorus sung one last time by Mike.
Even some of the greatest albums can feature one of the stalest songs. The second track and debut single “One Step Closer” had a rebellious theme featuring excellent instrumentals but Chester’s singing had not lived up to the rest of the album. To go with the only bit of terrible singing on the album this song is accompanied by terrible lyrics and a less intellectual or creative chorus.
Skipping down to the fifth track “Crawling”, this could be seen as one of the softer tracks but still manages to keep blow us away with the hard sounding chorus. This song mainly leaned toward the rock genre due to the absences of Mike’s rapping however still remains in the alternative because of it’s style. Starting with a roaring chorus with shredding riffs and hard drum beats it transitions to the first verse where Chester softly sings. Before transitioning back to the chorus in both verses, Mike does bring hook and Chester powerfully screams into the chorus once more.
The sixth track “Runaway” has a similar feel to “Crawling”. Again it leans toward the rock genre with none of Mike’s rapping. Chester softly sings through the verses and again Mike creates a hook that transitions in the chorus where the instruments all blend into together like art. Toward the end of the song Mike sings through the bridge and back into the chrous with Chester’s loudly singing.
The songs “By Myself”, “In The End”, and “Forgotten” brings back the Linkin Parks well known sound. Hard guitar riffs, banging drums, turntables, and Mike’s rapping. In each of the songs the chorus has loud, hardcore instrumentals with Chester’s singing. Whereas the verses there is a beat created by turntables that flows perfectly with Mike’s rapping. Every band begins somewhere and “Hybrid Theory” was an awesome start to Linkin Park.
Recommended Tracks:
Papercut
Points of Authority
Runaway
In The End
Forgotten
Unrecommended Tracks:
One Step Closer
Cure For The Itch
