Trumtram

I just checked the themes and recognize the stupidity of this statement which I therefore like to retract :D.

It will take a few spins until I can judge this thing. A lot of promise and nice touches. I still think he should put some of the beats more into the background to let the layering of sounds do its job but that is Mike's style in the end. One thing that irked me a bit was the FF7 "homage" in "Julio's Revenge". That melody threw me off completely :D. Just a small nitpick at this point, there is a lot of stuff to get familiar with and to discover. Looking forward :).

They were always hated for their work. When HT came out they were called "manufactured" and "fake" because they came practically out of nowhere and rose up incredibly fast. LP were never a band for the "cool" kids after "Crawling" got released. Even other bands were shitting on them in 2001. When "Meteora" came out it was just "more of the same formula" which is ironic as this album counts as one of their best if you ask people out there today. Things got really out of hand when M2M dropped because it was even more "not heavy" and after ATS the majority of casual old-school listeners were lost. Every album had some form of backlash as is natural with a band of LP's magnitude. In a way it's something they just have to accept because of their frequent changes in styles. When THP came out, it was far too late to get lost listeners to care again while OML was the confirmation for many that LP were finally admitting to their "sell out status" with an album full of generic mid tempo boredom.

I was lying awake yesterday and thought about the last few months before Chesters passing. Two things were striking: Firstly, his outspokenness about his depression and thought processes that go along with it. In a short period of time he gave incredibly insightful interviews about all of that. Secondly, his frustration with fan reactions about OML on Twitter and such. These two factors were so unusual to me and in hindsight I would classify them as warning signs of his mental well being during that time.

Yeah, that's a good comparion. I'm listening to OG GD for almost 15-20 years now. Sure, the production back then was messy and not at all polished but that's the charm of it considering the time it was produced in and the means to do it. Many songs feel more authentic to me. Even their more mellow and quiter moments feel so much stronger to me because of their rawness. But yeah, it's just one of those things I guess.

There is some really cool stuff on this album but also other parts where everything feels so overproduced (and sloppily, too!). I always loved the original Grey Daze music and I will most likely go back to these older versions because they feel much more authentic. Plus almost all songs are IMHO better in their original incarnation. I like what they did to some of the more slower songs but for my taste they put too much big time feel on too many songs. Side note: The scream in JLH didn't sound like Chester to me at all. Really irritating.

I remember this, too. There was an instance with german magazine "Visions" for example where they reported about this behaviour because their interview with (I think) Mike was cut short by one of LPs manager/press person without the question asked to him being so bad. They wrote about Mike looking helpless to this manager after a question and just a "diva"-like attitude. That pissed me off so much back then because LP always got hate, no matter what. But that is the topic for a long post by itself ... What happened in general was LP being a bunch of young and naive people and learning the ropes about press work. When Meteora came around they were a lot more cautios because there would have been instances of them being wrongly portrait or statements they gave getting put into a different context before. You have to remind yourself that they became one of the biggest bands of their time in LESS than year after the HT release, which, naturally, attracts people who resent you. I think it was around that time when Mike started to give "email responses to print interviews" (see "Get Me Gone") and in general they maybe were a bit more reserved for a while. This might go back to what you experienced.

This might be random and loosely connected to the topic, but I have found another inconsistency when it comes to LP talking about their past. I watched some interviews the last couple of days and one thing that came up was how Chester never really screamed before HT and that this element came into place during the making of HT (roughly summarized). However there is the demo of "Part of me" which would like to disagree on that. Just a minor thing, I know, but wanted to add it somewhere nonetheless ;).

Same, man!

As someone who really likes "No Sun Today" and the raw emotion of Chesters vocals on that record I'm a bit torn. The chorus got improved quite a lot but certain instrumental additions don't work that well or rather are implemented "sloppily" (for the lack of a better word). The original album felt much more organic to me and I'm mildly afraid of them overdoing it with the remade versions (in the same way as with "Dead by Sunrise"). But these are rather minor complaints as I am still looking forward to the whole thing. I feel like "No Sun Today" could've been a pretty big album back in the day with a bit more luck on their side. It includes so many memorable and great performances and songs, it's ridiculous. I'm just happy that this project exists and I feel like it is a really fitting tribute.

Oh ok, good! Just got confused because I haven't read anything about that in this thread. Thanks for clearing that up!

Haven't seen anything about that on here and I don't know exactly where I read this but I thought that one (the oldest?) of Chesters sons would be featured on vocals, too. Just checked it and you can read about that here: https://www.nme.com/news/music/chester-bennington-grey-daze-son-2447002

I seriously second that. I have some light plans aswell, but shooting yourself over the moon won't help much. Let's all appreciate the fact that we can listen to his voice or see him perform literally anytime we want, no one will ever take that away. Try to see the positive in that. It'll be the day in 20 minutes over here, so... take care!

This sounds like a really solid plan! I'm more on the side of the getting-intoxicated-party and will also attend a LP party at a local club later on but yeah, I like your take on it

It's not only that but such a day will always get you because it's inevitable. No matter what way you choose to deal with it, this one gets you. I really like Geki's approach here. Smash all the great stuff in a playlist and see where it goes. At the very least it's a way to honor everything we all love about the guy and maybe it helps someone else on their journey.

All of us dealt with what happened almost one year ago in our own way. As I have set my plans for Friday I was wondering if you guys and girls have anything planned for the day. I'm sure it will be a tough one for all of us. Maybe someone might come up with an idea to help you get through it or inspire you to do something you will see fit. So feel free to share your plans and ideas .

Damn, Mark, you hit the nail on its head. "Dedicated" is one of my favorite songs from Linkin Park and I haven't listened to it in quite a long time (changed that yesterday ). I know it's silly but especially with the lyrics it would fit in perfectly in a MS live set. I'm not as critical of Mike's later work with Linkin Park. For example I'm a big fan of Mike on "Until It Breaks". His flow is just so enjoyable and the lyrics are great, too. But I agree that he never REALLY achieved his fullest potential like he did on the songs you mentioned and also that "Lift Off" is a fine throwback to his "old days". One big difference for me is his confidence, though. On "Lift Off" he feels a lot more confident in his delivery and tone while on the Visionaries track (for example) it feels a bit rushed (I mean, there are like what, 16 years in between? ). Still, I always enjoy the shared passion for oldschool LP stuff because both Mike and Chester had outstanding and raw performances back in the day which I love to revisite from time to time . Oh, and of course, I totally agree with you on "High Voltage". The live version is incredible! I recommend the version from the Cleveland show the same year (the one in this weird Mall(?)). The way the camera is zoomed in on Chester during the bridge while he is all in for his part always gets me. Plus, there is a really cool tracking shot where it shows the stage, Chester in the middle and Mike in the background just... totally in it as well . Also the fans are so rowdy during their set which is pure joy. Seeing as I was one of the lucky ones who actually had the chance to celebrate LP live in rowdy crowds and pits... Anyway, for everyone else wondering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dgsu7FHepA

Yes man, and don't give up. Life can throw crazy curveballs at you both positive and negative ones. There could always be a really good one around the corner just coming at you trying to brighten your life and help you overcome or at least help you with your struggles. Life can be so awesome and we have to do our part to make all these tragic deaths count and just keep on going. @Mark Really nice read. Glad you are one of us "Lift Off" fans, too . I love Mike's verse on it because of the same thing you pointed out. Gave the 15 year old in me a nice rush . Also I want to clarify that I wouldn't cut "World's On Fire" because of its lyrical content. Also, I.O.U. feels weirdly placed in the progression of things. It's already gotten a bit less exciting, even though Mike's performance is really cool!

Not necessarily 12 tracks. Less songs don't have to be a bad thing, though. I could honestly live without the last two songs and maybe "Watching As I Fall". But everyone has their favorites, so every song on there has its own justification.

I haven't seen this post before but I totally agree. "Lift Off" is my standout track alongside "Make It Up As I Go". I spend so many great moments already bopping my head along to the latter and drifting off into amazing moments of content and thinking with the former. Chino and the whole collection of different synths and sounds make "Lift Off" just hauntingly beautiful. Also, I can totally relate to the last part of MGK's verse. I also agree with the formulaic part of the post. Some songs got my confused with other older songs at first. But this is ok considering the situation behind the album. It's a really good album, though it could have been shorter. Still, a lot of standout tracks are to be found here. I also enjoy the overall flow of the album and the delivery by Mike. Looking back, it will be an album I will cherish for its own meaning to me at these times.

I don't think they will continue as a 5 piece. I have the feeling that other members don't feel like doing it and honestly, they don't need to. They made enough albums, played enough shows and have a ton of hits. Money will not be the issue anymore. My guess is that other members will pursue something new at this stage of their lives (some already did) and I would be glad if all of the remaining 5 find something they'll be happy with. The mark they left on the world is there and will remain .

Yeah, one of my favourite performances of the song, especially from that era.

Hmm, I took a look on the ticket stubs on the show page and they say "Palladium". So I checked the live vid we got from the March show and yeah, it seems I was wrong about that one. I always thought it was the E-Werk in March. So forgive me for the inconvenience, but it was right all along...

This is not totally correct. The show in March was at the "E-Werk" which is located right across the street from the Palladium where they played in September . https://www.google.de/maps/@50.9694395,7.0170432,3a,75y,245.52h,86.32t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sqn7d_lI8CL5PAX3atR47yA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dqn7d_lI8CL5PAX3atR47yA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D197.09529%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

Wow... Linkin Park became so much more than just New Metal. They stayed relevant because of their evolution and while I agree that not everything they've done is great it was always another experience. This has nothing to do with being a fanboy of a certain era. I'm started listening to them shortly after HT dropped in the US (before it did in Germany, where I live). I've gone through EVERY major label phase of this band and totally hated the mainstream traction they got after "Crawling" got released (and don't ask me about the teen mayhem that followed after "In The End"). The band was always hated by people even during their New Metal "peak". Nowadays they get so much praise for their first two albums when in reality they got bashed by a lot of the same people for being so cheesy, angsty and new-metaly. I will forever be a big fan of the New Metal phase but I'm even happier that they did, what they did: evolve. I learned a lot creatively from them and I'm really happy that they tried to reinvent themselves time and time again. Like many things in life not everything turns out amazing but you progress as an artist instead of satisfying those people who see this band in this one dimensional frame of "screams and guitars". And to close this: a troll's life is a sad one.