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Linkin Park – Minutes to Midnight (2007)

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Minutes to Midnight marks a turning point for Linkin Park. This 2007 release challenged the band to expand into more genres.
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The year 2024 will be forever marked by one of the most anticipated returns in the history of rock: Linkin Park, with the inclusion of their new vocalist Emily Armstrong, following the tragic passing of Chester Bennington in 2017. A bold experiment filled with nostalgia and high expectations, accepted by many but also questioned by others. From our perspective, it’s a positive step, opening up new possibilities for the Californian band’s music.

Speaking of experiments, it’s clear that Linkin Park has always liked taking risks. After their solid debut with Hybrid Theory (2000) and the epic Meteora (2003), the band had established itself as one of the kings of Nu Metal. However, this wasn’t enough for Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington, and the rest of the band, as 2007 would mark a turning point with the release of Minutes to Midnight.

What can we listen to?

A sonic expansion for the band to satisfy their musical needs, transitioning from Nu Metal to Alternative Rock and even ballads, a move many bands take to reach new markets through radio. However, in Linkin Park’s case, the change was driven by personal and musical reasons, as the band was already hugely popular on and off the radio.

Minutes to Midnight showcases the band’s emotions in tracks like “Leave Out All The Rest,” “Shadow of the Day,” “Valentine’s Day,” and “Hands Held High,” breaking the stereotype that metal bands must only address themes of “toughness,” protest, hate, or fiction.

To further align with this message, Minutes to Midnight serves as a musical transition vehicle, where the power of their previous albums is left behind. The band presents a more Alternative Rock style, yet it retains the elements that made them unique: rap passages like in “Hands Held High,” guttural vocals in the epic bridge of “Given Up,” and, of course, super hits like “Bleed It Out.”

minutes-to-midnight-linkin-park-the-rock-review

Minutes to Midnight: The perfect transition

And it’s not that the band’s power had diminished; it simply migrated into a new (and very rich) combination of elements that allowed them to create songs like “No More Sorrow,” featuring a powerful drumbeat and simple yet strong power chords on the guitars. These are complemented by Chester Bennington’s creative melodies, forming what would become their new statement of intent.

None of this would have been possible without Mike Shinoda’s refined taste and the co-production of Rick Rubin, a legendary producer who has worked with artists like Slayer, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, AC/DC, Slipknot, as well as major figures from the Pop, Rap, and Hip-Hop scenes. Rubin was the perfect figure for this bold and innovative transition, striking a balance between the band’s heavy essence and the softness required by the project.

We must highlight Mike Shinoda’s voice, which further established him as a tremendously versatile artist, now also singing melodically, as heard in tracks like “In Between” and “Hands Held High,” where he performs entirely solo.

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The Nostalgia Of Minutes to Midnight

Minutes to Midnight is an album we love, yet it brings a sense of sadness as some lyrics reflect Chester Bennington’s recurring feelings of sorrow, particularly in tracks like “Valentine’s Day,” “Leave Out All The Rest,” and “Given Up.” The album ends with “The Little Things Give You Away,” highlighting Joe Hahn’s subtle but vital contributions and building up to a powerful vocal harmony between Chester and Mike. This album marks a pivotal moment in Linkin Park’s career, driven by creativity and a hunger for genre exploration.

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Picture of Enrique Coronado

Enrique Coronado

Músico, productor, MBA y MKT. Apasionado por la historia del rock.

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