Deep Focus: Linkin Park's "Meteora"

Twenty years ago, nu-metal band Linkin Park released their second studio album, “Meteora.” It followed in the footsteps of their previous entry, “Hybrid Theory,” an album that landed the band some noticeable attention.

In addition to the popular “Hybrid Theory” album, the group had produced some popular radio hits at the time and was looking to follow up that success. That follow-up success was “Meteora,” and it could be described as a sequel that surpasses the original.

“Meteora,” like “Hybrid Theory,” still possessed the raw sound the band was known for, but this time incorporated more electronic overtones to the mix as the group started to experiment with Pro Tools (an innovative sound editing software of the time).

However, regardless of this new use, the tracks still flow consistently and do not deviate in a way that feels jarring. Such tracks reflect this new use of instrumentation. For example, “Session,” the second-to-last track on the album, was entirely an electronic demo and did not include any hard rock elements whatsoever.

Additionally, “Numb,” the most notable track on the album (and one of Linkin’ Park’s most famous hits), was a mix of both electronic and heavy metal. The album would also include other radio hits such as “Lying from You,” “Breaking the Habit,” and “Somewhere I Belong,” while also including some underrated entries such as “Easier to Run” and “Nobody’s Listening.”

Thematically, there is nothing in the album that would obviously suggest a joyous experience or a wonderful memory. “Meteora” does incorporate tunes that are just “a sick riff” but simultaneously deal with themes such as anger and frustration.

The lead singer, Chester Bennington, used this form of music as an outlet for himself as he routinely dealt with depression throughout his life, and unfortunately, would eventually commit suicide in 2017. It is why a song such as “Nobody’s Listening” hits harder now because of what the lyrics specify.

"Try to give you warning / But everyone ignores me” could not be more obvious. In a way, “Meteora” serves as an outlet for those who are constantly “crying out for help” due to depressive thoughts. This time, we should listen to those who cry out in need.

Twenty years later, the album still hits hard, as it should. Though it sounds like “Hybrid Theory,” it is superior to that album, because of its broader appeal and use of Pro Tools experimentation. There are no songs on the album that are bad or worth throwing away, which might be because of the “consistent appeal.”

Meteora is a product of the early 2000s but is still worthy of a listen 20 years later. It is products like this that are indeed worth visiting twenty years later. However, if you are not a fan of heavy metal or any music containing hard rock, then this album may not be for you.

But there are other instrumental qualities that might persuade casual listeners to prefer “Meteora” over an album such as “Hybrid Theory.” Recently, Linkin Park released a 20th-anniversary edition of the album, which includes some long-lost demos and alternate live recordings of the album, a definitive expansion over the original work. Overall, “Meteora” is a 9/10 album and is still a must-listen even in 2023.

Notable song entries: “Session, “Breaking the Habit,” “Numb,” “Nobody’s Listening”

Lesser song entries: “Foreword,” “Figure.09,” “From the Inside”

Logan M. Sharp is a fourth-year student studying film production. To contact him, please email lxs5590@psu.edu