National Album Day: Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park

by | Oct 11, 2019

Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory was my first ever album and a very important and enduring eye opener for many listeners. In 2000, at aged 10, I put this album on my Christmas list based solely on word of mouth. A schoolfriend wouldn’t shut up about how desperate he was for a hoody with the album artwork on. I jumped onto the bandwagon before I had even heard a single track from it, and I can’t overstate how glad I was that I did.

Hybrid Theory was the centrepiece of what might be the last time that a rebellious sounding subculture crashes the charts now that the internet has made everything accessible, and chart positions comparatively redundant. Although a megahit, Hybrid Theory was the gateway for many listeners into the furious free-for-all of the playful skate-punk of The Offspring, onslaughts of profanity-laden rap metal from Limp Bizkit, and sensory overload ‘nu-metal’ of Slipknot.

Hybrid Theory defied the idea that mash-ups were always musical sacrilege (even DJ Joe Hahn got an instrumental jam track all to himself), although they would push that boundary further when they released a mash-up EP with Jay-Z. Rapper Mike Shinoda spits anguish in opening track Papercut, before late frontman Chester Bennington growls what might be the most appropriate lyric in the album – “it’s like a whirlwind inside of my head”.

Over twelve concise tracks, the only deviations from this are comparatively frail vocals from Bennington during the verses of hit single Crawling, and closer Pushing Me Away. However, often it doesn’t last as he bites the infamous refrain “shut up when I’m talking to you” on One Step Closer. 

Needless to say, I bought that hoody.

Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park, 2000, chosen by writer Nicolas Pollard

 

She Made Me Do It (Myura Amara)

She Made Me Do It Return With ‘Pulverised’ EP

London-based post-punk electro-rock trio She Made Me Do It have announced the release of their brand-new EP...
GeeJay (Phoebe Nightingale)

GeeJay Share New Track ‘Murder’ And Announce Biggest Headline Show To Date

North London soul-pop duo GeeJay have unveiled their brand new track Murder and announced details of their biggest...
YES (Gottlieb Bros.)

YES Announce 2026 UK Tour Celebrating ‘Fragile’

Progressive rock legends YES have announced their return to the UK with a nine-date tour in spring 2026, following the...
Hannah McFarland (Chris Ashlee)

“It Has Been a Whirlwind” — But Hannah McFarland Is Just Getting Started

Alabama country singer Hannah McFarland has barely had a chance to catch her breath. Since releasing her Broken Hearts EP in February, her career has skyrocketed with opportunities she once only dreamed of.

Lewis Capaldi @ Glastonbury Festival 2023 (Kalpesh Patel)

BST Hyde Park 2026 Kicks Off With Garth Brooks And Lewis Capaldi As First Headliners

BST Hyde Park has announced the first two headliners for its 2026 edition, setting the stage for another blockbuster...
Blondshell @ Electric Brixton (Kalpesh Patel)

Blondshell Brings Electric Brixton To Boil On First Night Of London Double-Header

Sabrina Teitelbaum — better known as Blondshell — has built her reputation on raw honesty and songs that cut deep, and...
Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Light Up Scala & Celebrate Ad Astra With Career-Spanning Set And Graham Coxon Collaboration

There was a palpable sense of anticipation outside North London venue Scala on Wednesday night as Ash returned for the...
Callum Beattie @ Glastonbury Festival 2017 (Kalpesh Patel)

Callum Beattie Announces New Album ‘INDI’ And 2026 Tour Dates, Including Biggest Headline Show Yet at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro

Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie has announced details of his third studio album INDI, set for release on...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing