One Step Closer to the Edge (Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park)

Member Name: rleigh

Product:	Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
Date:	07/03/08 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Greatly powerful Nu-Metal music, crushing guitar riffs.

Disadvantages: Those not fond of guitar heavy music will not be impressed with what they hear.

Linkin Park exploded onto the music scene in 2000 with their 'Hybrid Theory' album. The band originally formed in 1996 under the name of 'Xero', actually changing the band name itself to 'Hybrid Theory' in 1999 before settling on the final name of Linkin Park. Whilst 'Hybrid Theory' did not stick as a band name, it did of course feature as the title of their début album which has to date sold in excess of 24 million copies worldwide.

'Hybrid Theory' is by far my favourite of all the studio albums that Linkin Park have released to date and contains the hit singles of 'Crawling', 'Papercut', 'One Step Closer', and 'In The End'. Whilst these are the hits, it is perhaps the album track 'Points of Authority' that is my favourite from this album. The track is just so raw and energetic, the band blast through this one without once looking back and it is therefore an absolute joy to listen to. It is edgy and you never quite know where the band are going to go next with the track, it provides for a perfect listening experience and is one track from this album that I certainly shan't be forgetting in a hurry.

Whilst 'Points of Authority' is without doubt my favourite from this album, there is no denying the excellence that is contained within the rest of this release. 'In The End' features the perfect keyboard introduction and as the band progress their way through the track they possess such conquering force and power; it is hard to believe that 'Hybrid Theory' is only the first album that Linkin Park ever released from listening to this. They just sound like such an accomplished act as they slash their way through the track, 'In The End' made for a powerful single and is I feel one of the best tracks that the band have ever written.

The vocals of front man Chester Bennington combine perfectly with the rapped lyrics of Mike Shinoda in the 'Hybrid Theory' album and this is what makes the music so special. The guitars are often heavy, and the sound that is produced through the dual vocal assault of these two men is absolutely phenomenal. Their voices work well alongside one another and there is a definite chemistry here, the vocals are vastly different and yet they work so well side by side. The conflicting sounds made by Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda make the music what it is; absolute aural excellence.

Throughout the entirety of this album Linkin Park possess great presence and as they charge their way through the 'Hybrid Theory' album never once do they fail to impress. In this album Linkin Park have a great habit of starting tracks with soaring guitar riffs, heaviness which dies down as the track continues, but at times comes surging back through later on in the track. 'By Myself' is one such example of this and 'Forgotten' is another. The band are unpredictable on this album and this makes for an interesting and exciting listening experience, never can you be too sure when the next guitar surge will kick in and you are therefore kept on your toes as Linkin Park fire their way through this hugely impressive and at times devilishly heavy Nu-Metal masterpiece.

Since releasing 'Hybrid Theory' in 2000, Linkin Park have returned with a further two albums but never quite have they managed to hit the dizzy heights that they amassed with their début offering. They've not yet released a bad album but they've certainly never since released an album quite so impressive as this one. 'Hybrid Theory' is edgy and raw, an album of epic proportions complete with many a soaring guitar riff, booming bass line, and devilish drum beat. In October 2000 I bought this album upon release and still I continue to play it more than seven years on. Many of the albums I bought around this time I now look upon with disgust, but this certainly can't be said of the 'Hybrid Theory' album. Linkin Park are an excellent band and of the three albums they have released to date; 'Hybrid Theory' is most certainly their finest.

Summary: An excellent début album from Linkin Park, by far their best work to date.