Linkin Park // The Hunting Party - Review

Fuck, they were not lying when they said this was heavier.

I LOVE it. I always was going to though, but there is little denying that this their best album since "Meteora". The synths are nearly all gone, and guitar is at the front of the mix again, along with screaming galore.

"Keys To The Kingdom" kicks off the album, with an uncompromising scream from Chester. Aggressive, distorted, and pure rock. The guitar that follows is distinctly heaveir than anything off their past three albums. "All For Nothing" has a fabulous feature from Page Hamilton, with an old school chorus from the band that first hit the main time with hits like "Papercut" and "In The End". The previously released "Guilty All The Same" is gloriously heavy, with a fantastic display of the bands confidence.

They had confidence to refine their sound for the mainstream over the previous two albums, to much critical and commercial success. Personally, I loved these albums as much as the others, as it revealed a different side to the band that no-one would have seen or argued for in their earlier days. Cheers, Rick Rubin.

But now, Mike talks slicker, the riffs are quicker, screams are louder and they rock harder on this latest effort, "The Hunting Party". This is a highlight for their gitarist Rob, who has in recent years been stuck in the background, rocking out every couple of minutes. Now, he is in the sights of the public, for everyone to see. There are more solos on the first half of this album than there have been in their first five albums. They are bloody good ones, too.

For a comparison, Serge's solos on their stupidly titled... whatever it is, they sound like he has just picked up the guitar. Noticeably lame compared.

If you thought Linkin Park were lying when that they were going to go heavier, you were wrong. They asked their teenage selves whether they would be happy with their last two albums, and they said no, so went about to adjust that. If you are undecided about the album, listen to their earlier stuff and then this.

This, is a true successor.

Enjoy the ride, it's bumpy, and refined.

9/10

H x

Linkin Park // Until It's Gone - Video

Linkin Park have unveiled the first single of their new album, 'The Hunting Party'. The single, titled 'Until It's Gone', continues the promise of a throwback to their first two albums, with first class engineering and a heavier guitar sound. It follows their last two albums that I felt were pretty awesome, but were much more electronic and mainstream for sure. Now, the guitar is firmly at the front.

I read an interview with Mike Shinoda who said that he asked the band if their 15 year old self would be happy with their recent music. They wouldn't have been, as they were listening to heavier music, such as Metallica, so hence the slight, grittier change in direction. It's a shame Mike isn't in it, even if it was a short verse like it Burn It Down.

You can read a very interesting review with their guitarist, Brad Delson, here about the recording process, which hints at solos and riffs galore, with new pedals and effects to boot. I respect a guitarist who freely improvises, and with the freedom he has to shy away live, perhaps it provides the perfect habitat to gloriously free-roam over his guitar - and the music.

The song, in my opinion is fantastic. You can watch and listen to the video below. 

I still can't understand why bands bother with lyric videos. a) you miss out on views when the full video is released and b) when it is done this well, surely it is just throwing money into a black hole?

A bloody good, money-making black hole at that.

Now, just to wait for a fall European tour... Fingers firmly crossed.

Fall out Boy reunion, next Reading headliner and a new Tribes song!

I figured the above image is highly relevant to today, HOPEFULLY. As in, HOPEFULLY in 12 minutes time, the band will announce the end of their hiatus. Surely they will?

Now, if they do, it is great for many reasons. One, they are all great musicians, they've proven that in their side projects, they're all great. So, when they come back together they should be pretty damn awesome - as they always have been. Maybe Patrick can contribute to the lyrics now, after doing *everything* on Soul Punk. This should be pretty fucking awesome.

They bloody did:

I like it, I like it a lot. Listen to the original if interested here:

The second main thing that would make today special is the Reading announcement. I want it to be Biffy Clyro (likely) personally, or Linkin Park (Oh, a pig flying!). Would it not be awesome though if it was not just a coincidence and Fall Out Boy play, at the very least, or headline (Another bloody pig flying, what are the chances!).

Some more music was announced for Benicassim, my festival of choice this summer. The Courteeners will do just nicely, as will Dizzee Rascal at 5am!

Finally, to top it all off: Tribes are Zane Lowe's hottest record in the world at 7:30pm tonight. Hopefully it isn't just one minute long, and it is hotter than just one minute... anyways, I hope it follows in the brilliant foot steps of every bloody step they've taken.

Let's see if this all transpires, and if so, prepare for my next blog post: The Take over, the breaks over!