They have never claimed otherwise. Phoenix said once in an interview (I translate it times free): "Some people were of the opinion that a kind of counterpart to the new board" would be Hybrid Theory "but this is not the case, we have simply to our beginnings.. . recalls and asked us what kind of music back then so fascinates us We asked Brad: 'Which song did you - when you were 15 years of age - motivated you to learn to play guitar?' We wanted the passion we had back then, revive, but at the same time does not act like 15-year-old, but as adults. " (Source below)
And just sounds the plate also. Already the production gives an idea that you really mean business. It's rough, as a result, the remains of the bombast of earlier days something on the track. Chester's voice sounds rougher, more natural and the benefits of the plate.
Also seen are technically Linkin Park as strong as ever and reveal facets that you did not know of them. Especially Brad and Rob blooming here on the right. There are quite a few solos by Brad, make fun and is in LP context just so refreshing. Especially his solo on "War" is remarkable. This song takes again properly to gain momentum. Just "War" is a song that will polarize because it is unconventional and the rough production particularly comes into its own here. For me a selhr welcome change.
"Mark The Graves" is also a prime example of how vielsichtig is the guitar work of Brad. The song is basically a "A Thousand Suns" title with guitars and outstanding melody. You can tell that the band here just had a lot of fun.
Erfreuerlicherweise reserves the band at all the hardship the momentum and not fall into mindless thrashing. "Rebellion" is a good example of this. Here you can tell immediately that a SOAD member here (Daron Malakian) is at work. The song begins to brutally, but zunehmends melodious and becoming the anthem. Also "Guilty All The Same" starts unusually, by starting with a nearly 2-minute intro for LP ratios. Builds strong tension, is atmospheric and the drums come here to advantage. In the context is "Guilty All The Same" - at least for me - quite a bit better over because is previously well already heated.
The opener "Keys to the Kingdom" expires Chester Bennington almost in frenzy, as he, the soul cries out to the heavens. You want to make clear from the outset that the no walk in the park is here. This does not change even when Closer "A Line In The Sand". The song is certainly the most complex song since "The Little Things Give You Away" .... only that they have nothing in common with each other. While the song starts quite gently with vocals by Mike (which already was by the way a demo for "A Thousand Suns"), but develops into the epic Finisher with brutal guitars and scream passages Bennington's before then so ends as the song began.
The Linkin Park but also may completely different, shows the song "Final Masquerade" - a power ballad. Here there is another strength of the band shows (again). You can simply write great melodies and choruses / produce and completely unpeinlich and without clichés. This also applies to the song "All For Nothing" with Page Hamilton. A crisp rap of Mike, super chorus of Hamilton and a melodic solo by Brad (could also be of Hamilton) - one of my highlights.
Then there is also "Drawbar" with Tom Morello. Here one could (rightly) expect the Morello skin here on the side, you'd expect at the plate also. Fact is, Morello restrains himself and makes basically nothing not even could make Brad - I say now times. But this purpose has to be said that have Linkin Park and Tom Morello wrote the song. Without him, there would not be this song in this form. Here, "Drawbar" turns out to be an atmospheric interlude. Morello's guitar playing has what psychedelic per se and it ends with a (very nice) piano part of Mike, what turns out to be Interlude to "Final Masquerade". For me the best Interlude of the band.
But why the album is brave, if they have not done what many listeners have wanted to become namely harder again? There are at least 2 reasons:
1) The board, as a whole, simply not radio friendly. Basically there are only 2 songs like "Until It's Gone" and "Final Masquerade" which will be played without any problems on the radio can and be successful in the charts. Especially for a band like Linkin Park, whose name is also a brand and stands for success, this step is courageous.
2.) so that they make in 1st line music for themselves and not for others (For this show a product, which you can watch below you). This motivates them to keep going over and over again and that is the reason why their plates (and Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns) are so varied. If the Punk Rocker "War" you listen to time and right after "Burn It Down" from shallow LIVING THINGS or "Final Masquerade", then one can hardly believe that this is the one and the same band.
CONCLUSION: "The Hunting Party" is a mix of punk, hardcore, alternative rock, making it unique in the LP-context. Therefore, it is refreshing, bold, brutal, but is still Linkin Park. Only "Wastelands" reminds a little of the "old days", as it well-known interrelated, but still somehow sounds different.
For me, "The Hunting Party" the best record since "Hybrid Theory" and next time I'm left out let the nostalgia factor, maybe it's even their best record ever.
Of course it's your decision whether you like the music or not. But I'll give you a tip: Do not be put off by the production, give the album a chance. Especially when it is a plate, which is unconventional and unfamiliar, it takes a few attempts before you get to know and vearbeitet all facets. After that you can form an opinion still. This has nothing "nice to hear themselves" to do with!
My Highlights so far (-> This may change continuously; an advantage when an entire album like so much :)):
- All For Nothing (feat Page Hamilton.)
- War
- Rebellion (feat Daron Malakian.)
- Mark The Graves
- A Line In The Sand
References:
Interview with Phoenix: [...]
Vocals by Mike in "A Line In The Sand | Demo of" A Thousand Suns ": [...]
Linkin Park make music in 1st line of its own: [...]
PS: Seems like I should add no links here. Then you have to stop me so believe).
