FEATURE: “Linkin Park’s ‘Hybrid Theory’ turns 20” by Eric Paulin

MUNTINLUPA CITY – Multi-awarded American rock band Linkin Park’s debut album, “Hybrid Theory” celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year and fans cannot get enough of the nostalgia from the record.

On October 24, 2000, Linkin Park has released “Hybrid Theory” through Warner Bros. Records. It is also the band’s original name before having acquired the rights to their present label. With songs depicting the personal struggles of its lead vocalist, Chester Bennington, the record features various titanic hits such as “In The End”, “Crawling”, “One Step Closer”, and “Papercut”. This record has also skyrocketed the band into mainstream popularity, making them highly recognizable both in the NU metal and Rap-Rock scene. Even though the band has explored various genres with their succeeding records, “Hybrid Theory” remains the root of their musical influence.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/818UOs3WGgL._SS500_.jpg

“Hybrid Theory”, being a multi-platinum certified record, has garnered numerous nominations, awards, and accolades. “Crawling” wins the Best Hard Rock Performance award during the 2002 Grammy while “In The End” becomes the record’s highest charting single, peaking at No. 1 in numerous music platforms. Consequently, the album ranks 8 in Kerrang!’s 50 Best Rock Albums of the 2000s while landing the no. 1 spot in Rock Sound’s 101 Modern Classic Albums of the last 15 years.

Shortly after the band’s release of their seventh studio album, “One More Light”, depression has taken the life of its lead vocalist, Chester Bennington, on July 20, 2017. Although Bennington is remembered as someone who radiates a positive personality both by the fans and the people who are close to him, his inner struggles are still channeled through his song writing. Their last record’s “Heavy”, “Nobody Can Save Me”, “Halfway Right”, “Battle Symphony” and “One More Light” attest to that.

Since then, Linkin Park has stopped releasing new material except for singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda, who has released the album, “Post Traumatic”, which depicts how he copes with Bennington’s demise.

Exactly 20 years after the release of “Hybrid Theory”, Linkin Park releases a 20th Anniversary Edition of the record, which includes numerous never-before-seen/heard contents, plus, an unreleased song called “She Couldn’t”.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61nB1bqnGHL._SS500_.jpg

After two decades and the loss of the band’s lead member, “Hybrid Theory” and the themes it offers remain relevant to today’s issues and its undeniable massive legacy will stay in the hearts of its listeners.