RogueSoul

Chester's sounding good! Haven't watched his KOC performances but I've heard he was sounding fantastic on that tour. Glad to see he's holding up for LP songs too.

I mean, not really. Giant projections of their logo all over the world and a #1 trending song on YouTube sounds like some pretty dramatic promotion to me

Highly Suspect would be an amazing opener, great call on that.

News has been pretty slow as 2016 winds down, but we have a little more new information from Mike Shinoda himself! A recent interview with Kerrang! magazine has revealed some more details about the band's upcoming record. The interview asked nine main questions; here's a summary of what was said in the interview: Q: What stage are you at with the new record? M: "We're at the stage where all the fans are saying, 'For crying out loud, guys, why the hell is this album taking so long?!' We're mixing right now, but taking our time to get it right... It won't be this month, but we're getting close!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Has it been a comfortable and collaborative process? M: "Collaborative? Yes. Comfortable? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It’s turning out to be a really personal album. Usually, we make the music and see what it inspires [lyrically], but this is the first time we started each song with concept and lyrics... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: You reinvent yourselves going into pretty much every record. Has that been the case this time? M: "It’s important to make sure all six of us are inspired each time we write new music – and that usually means finding new things to learn or explore... Having a concept and vocal first meant turning our songwriting process backwards, which was really fun." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Where have you been working, and who with? M: "We’ve been writing and recording mostly in LA, but we had a few sessions in London and Canada, too... This time we’re producing it ourselves... We also worked with some new people, including Andrew Dawson, Eg White, Justin Parker, RAC, Blackbear, and Corin Roddick... In the most basic terms, a guest might come in once or twice a week, and they would kinda just merge in with whatever we were making... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Can you tell us about the direction it's taken? M: "Each one of our albums is like its own little art gallery exhibition, with its own theme and style, and sometimes one is nothing like any of the others. I think that’s the kind of album we made." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: And lyrically, where are you coming from? M: “Fans often tell me our best lyrics are ones where we say the things they wanted to say, but never had the words. I hope they find those kind of lyrics in this album." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Have you been influenced by the political shitstorm that has been raging all year, or have you tried to stay away from that? M: “The lyrics of this album were written mostly before the U.S. election concluded. But there is a connection, in terms of an emotional reaction to things that are out of your control... I think that sentiment is present in the lyrics, even though the album is not at all political.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Does it have a title yet? M: “It’s really hard for us to agree on titles. We’ve been working on this album for over 12 months, and we still don’t have a name for the damn thing!” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Do you have big plans for the rest of 2017? M: "We have some shows coming up in Europe, other dates are constantly being announced, and of course there’ll be the surprises when we kick off the next album cycle.... The community around the band gets really vibrant and excited around the release of new music. And that time is almost here!" There you have it! Be sure you check out the full interview in Kerrang! magazine. To read up on everything we know about the next record, check out our page on Linkinpedia. The album is expected sometime in the spring or summer of 2017, so stay tuned for more information regarding it here. Follow us on Twitter and check out our Facebook page to stay updated. Happy holidays and a happy new year from LPLive!

Sorry for the delay on updating this. Finally got around to it.

From my understanding of how albums work, having more than twelve full songs would require more than two sides of a vinyl to cover. Going beyond that you'd need more material to satisfy at least one side of a second vinyl, and then having an empty side is just impractical and frankly a waste of money. Perhaps that principle has changed, and I'm sure someone can explain it better than me, but that's how I have come to understand it.

"Currently, we're looking for two people to fill in two spots: a general writer about Linkin Park-related subjects and another for the related acts which we are planning to start soon."

This first part is going to be less of a list of what I want to see and more of what I expect to happen. Drop: Points Of Authority - Hybrid Theory overload has to be over now that we're in album 7. A Line In The Sand - I doubt the band will play this one ever again. From The Inside - Will probably return as a wildcard later in the cycle, but I don't think it'll be present when the tour kicks off. Runaway - LP stop pls Wastelands - This one MIGHT stay, but I figure the only track they'll be keeping in the sets from THP is Final Masquerade. Robot Boy / Other Interludes - Just won't fit into the setlist anymore Remember The Name + Welcome - Welcome has a shot of staying in, but I think they're done with the solo aspect of the sets in this format. Bring back/keep: Lost In The Echo - If this record is more poppy and more powerful lyrically, this song can fit into both sides nicely. The Catalyst - ^ A Place For My Head - We'll bitch enough so that the song makes it into the set at some point. MTM Rarities - MTM is the band's rawest album, and songs like In Pieces, TLTGYA, and even NRL could fit into the set. I can see Valentine's Day being performed if that band are feeling a little daring. Rebellion - A couple European Festivals have SOAD playing with them, it's a simple formula As for what I want... Drop: New Divide / Burn It Down - we get that you need to have them, but at least rotate them. Given Up - rotate with No More Sorrow or just get it out of the set altogether. Ballad Medley - I doubt this'll go but it's really overstayed its welcome. Roads Untraveled could be a good replacement, or something from the new record that has a slow ballad feel. Keep/Add: At least half of the record for 2017 shows. Debut a few more tracks as the cycle goes by like MTM and ATS. No More Sorrow - see Given Up Roads Untraveled / New Piano Ballad - see Ballad Medley

It's been awhile, hasn't it? Linkin Park won't be touring for another few months, but let's get back into the pre-show (or in this case, pre-tour) post groove now, shall we? Chester recently joined the supergroup Kings Of Chaos, and they're embarking on their first tour with him! Through the month of December, Kings Of Chaos will be hitting several stops in the United States. The tour kicks off tomorrow for three shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and returns later in the month for some shows across the east coast. Kings Of Chaos is still a relatively new group, forming with a different lineup a few years back, but consider them the new Camp Freddy, except with a few core members. The group currently consists of Chester, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour, Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, Matt Sorum of Velvet Revolver, Billy Duffy of The Cult, Billy Gibbons, and Steve Stevens, with special guest Franky Perez joining them, as well. It seems that Corey Taylor will be replaced by Cheap Trick's Rob Zander for the east coast dates. That's a pretty massive lineup. Chester is already in Las Vegas, and you can see him in an interview with the group here. Also, Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit posted a picture last night with Chester....perhaps he will be a special guest with the group now that Limp Bizkit's Mexico Tour has been canceled. We're not exactly sure as to which songs they'll be playing, but we can expect a wide area of hits from all of these artists' careers. Chester performed with similar groups - Royal Machines and The Hellcat Saints - several times this year, singing plenty of covers: 'Vasoline' by Stone Temple Pilots, 'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin, 'Paradise City' by Guns N' Roses, just to name a few. Chester's shown that his voice really suits these classic rock tunes (especially STP, considering he fronted them for a good three years). It's pretty safe to say one or two of these tracks will be played, as well as a couple more songs we can see on one of the promotional posters: Stone Temple Pilots' 'Plush' and Guns N' Roses' 'You Could Be Mine', for example. Check out Chester performing Jane's Addiction's 'Mountain Song' with The Hellcat Saints in November at the Rhonda's Kiss 2nd Annual Benefit. Who's excited for the tour? Is anyone hitting any stops on it? As mentioned before, the band will hit three nights in a row (December 1 - 3) at Las Vegas' House Of Blues. In a few weeks, the band will fly to the east coast, hitting Montclair, New Jersey on December 17, Huntington, New York on December 18, Boston, Massachusetts on December 20, New York, New York on December 21, and ending it off on December 22 in Verona, New York. If you're interested, don't miss out! See our boy Chester in action before Linkin Park comes back in a big way in 2017. We'll keep you updated on the setlists for this tour, so stay tuned to see what songs Chester performs. Will we see the band perform any Linkin Park songs? Tell us below what songs you think Chester will sing with Kings Of Chaos. Follow our Twitter and like our Facebook page to make sure you don't miss out on any updates! Check out all of Chester's solo appearances over the years here.

Chelsea Wolfe on that lineup

As well as not shoving it down their throats, timing is key. If we tweeted this at them now, it's probably unlikely they'll look back at it a year from now. If we tweet a thread at them in September/October of next year, maybe there's a better shot. Maybe for LPU 17 we can compile a news post around that time of year and make a thread of "most requested LPU tracks" and tweet that to the band, maybe 10-15 tracks that keep appearing in this thread until then.

Cliché doesn't mean shit when it comes to emotion. Sometimes you need something to tell you how it feels straightforward. UIG is an important song for me for that reason. Something happened in my life around the time THP came out and that song really resonated. UIG, FM, and maybe even WID I can see relating to this situation, Geki. Sorry about finding yourself in that place

Pooch isn't available for LP until mid-March, and they'd rehearse for a few weeks or even a month, meaning the tour would start - at earliest - in May.

The long-awaited LPU 16 has launched! The band has launched a new site and memberships are available now for the new LPU. There's some changes from LPU 15, especially regarding packages and merch. There's the standard digital membership that comes with a bunch of fan goodies, such as a digital download of the brand new LPU 16 CD featuring brand new demos (including demos of 'Lies Greed Misery', 'The Catalyst', and 'Bleed It Out'), access to monthly giveaways, and exclusive downloadable content. The digital membership also gives you access to the new Linkin Park smartphone app, where band members and crew members will hold chats. If you want a physical CD, be sure to order the new Welcome Bundle + Membership package. Only the first batch of orders will be processed into CDs! If you don't hit the deadline, you'll still get a digital copy of the CD. The Welcome Bundle also comes with other goodies like an LPU 16 T-shirt (for both genders), a guitar pick, a laminate + lanyard, and even a handwritten letter from Phoenix. If you want to go all out this year and buy the super limited Deluxe Bundle, you'll get a "We Are LPU" scarf, a limited edition LPU enamel pin, and a pennant. Here are the full details for each membership bundle. Each bundle has the privileges of the membership before it, with the digital membership having the basic details. LPU Digital Membership ($10.00) 1 Year membership to Linkin Park Underground* Pre-Sale Tickets + Meet & Greet Opportunities Band and Crew chats via the brand new LINKIN PARK App (iOS/Android) ~COMING SOON~** Access to Download Exclusive Content + Music Monthly Giveaways and much more! LPU 16 Welcome Bundle + Membership ($40.00; $35.00 for current LPU Members) Year 16 Welcome Letter LPU 16 CD (Limited Pressing) + Digital Download LPU 16 T-Shirt (Available in Men's and Women's) LPU Member Laminate + Lanyard LPU 16 Sticker LPU 16 Guitar Pick Only the first wave of orders will include a physical copy of the LPU 16 CD. After that the LPU 16 Music will only be available as a Digital Download. LPU 16 CD not sold separately. LPU 16 Deluxe Bundle + Membership (Super Limited!) ($89.00) LPU Welcome Bundle Items We Are LPU Scarf Limited Edition LPU Pennant Limited Edition LPU Enamel Pin If you already an LPU member, you can purchase some of the merchandise for the following prices: LPU 16 Laminate + Lanyard ($5.00) LPU 16 (Digital Download) ($9.99) The LPU CD tracklist is as follows: The Catalyst (2010 Demo) Can’t Hurt Me (2014 Demo) Dark Crystal (2015 Demo) Air Force One (2015 Demo) Bleed It Out (2007 Demo) Consequence A (2010 Demo) Consequence B (2010 Demo) Lies Greed Misery (2010 Demo) Burberry (2015 Demo) Symphonies Of Light Reprise (2010 Demo) A new year of the LPU is upon us! Just in time for Linkin Park's tour announcements - we're sure some more dates will be announced soon! Be sure to follow our Twitter and like our Facebook page so you don't miss out on more news. Who's excited for LPU 16?

Pods were 3 different songs, though. I imagine 3 or more Numb demos would be essentially the same thing except with very slight changes. Idk, to each their own I guess. I'll be down with just 1

Not 7 of them though, I imagine, which was the point.

It's highly unlikely that the 2015 demos will bare any similarities as to what the record will sound like, but that may also serve as an indication as to what the album MIGHT sound like, assuming that the tracks are different from what we're ending up with. Kinda wish we got some of those early-THP pop demos from 2013.

I'll tentatively add in an Argentina date, but not putting it down for March as Pooch will still be with Bieber.

March 15 seems way too close to be true. Does it mean in 2018?

Linkin Park conducted a massive, 50 minute long live stream on Facebook earlier today where they had a casual discussion about the new album and the upcoming package for LPU 16, due for release later this week. Here's a summary of some interesting points: Lots of songwriter contributions were namedropped and talked about. Mike confirmed he worked with Justin Parker in London after he performed as Fort Minor there in 2015, where he learned a different approach to songwriting. Parker taught him to write without any sound in mind - instead, write with meaning in mind instead of anything else. Another mentioned collaboration is Nashville singer Emily Wright. We didn't know about this one before. Mike went on to say Jon Green really related well with Chester. Chester went on to talk about how personal and important this album is to him, citing 'Breaking The Habit' as another song that really hits him hard. "We wanted an album that was honest and raw. Genre didn't really matter." Chester said he felt very depressed last November (his hero Scott Weiland died in December of last year, around the same time), but this November he's feeling very happy. Brad said the fans will be impressed by how different the album sounds. Mike hit a lot of firsts whilst writing the record; he wrote a song specifically for his kids for the first time. Rob is very impressed by the vocals on this album. Phoenix said the band were very ready for a break from touring after wrapping up the European Tour for The Hunting Party last year. Ironically, he also stated the band are really excited to start playing some of these new songs live. The LPU 16 package will consist of a scarf, a handwritten letter by Phoenix, a 10 track CD, and more. No early entry, though. Early entry will be addressed later this week when LPU launches. Mike wanted to include demos of earlier songs on the CD to give fans an idea of how certain ideas came to be. One demo of a song we know that'll be on the CD is 'Bleed It Out'. There's a demo from 2014 on the CD, and three from 2015. None of these have vocals, though. This is the first time since LPU 2.0's 'A.06' that songs from the current album sessions are being released on an LPU CD. They aren't of songs that MADE the album, but demos from earlier in the process. The album is just about wrapped up - the band are touching up the record now. That's just about it! Hopefully we'll be getting more album details soon. LPU 16 is on our heels, too, so be sure to be on the look out for that. The talk was very insightful, so if you have an hour to spare, head over to Linkin Park's Facebook page and listen to it. While you're there, like our Facebook page so you don't miss any news, and follow us on Twitter, too.

Err, you're forgetting a few

As you may remember, Linkin Park went through a massively successful Chinese Tour in July 2015 towards the end of The Hunting Party World Tour. It seems that that success is bringing them back to the country sometime soon. The 2015 Chinese Tour was a huge deal. It was the band's only Asian appearances for the THP Era, the band's first appearance in mainland China since Shanghai 2009 (and the band's third overall appearance in China after cancelled shows there in 2008 and 2011). The tour came with some drawbacks, namely the band having to censor songs like 'Given Up' and 'Welcome' as a result of the country's strict censorship laws. The negatives were far outweighed by the positives, however. For one, the band's performance there opened up the Chinese market for many rock bands to follow. Bands like Muse and Iron Maiden amongst others soon heading to China after Linkin Park's success there. In fact, Metallica just announced their first ever appearance in Beijing! Secondly, the tour was one of the band's most lucrative, partially as a result of their new deal with Mercedes-Benz, who sponsored the China tour. Chester and Joe appeared at a Mercedes-Benz event in Shanghai in 2016, performing the Ballad Medley and 'Burn It Down' to a backing track. A few days later, Chester even took to the streets of Beijing to perform an improv. acoustic jam to a small crowd! Chester performed a quick jam on a street performer's guitar to a crowd in Beijing. There's a couple of things that are leading us to believe that the band will be returning there on their tour for the next record. One thing: the money. The band's been slowly announcing a European Festival Tour slated for June and July in 2017, and they seem to be hitting some key markets that they did really well in during The Hunting Party Tour: Belgium, France, and Poland, specifically. Hitting markets they know will draw in a lot of ticket sales is a no-brainer, and China seems to be the best place to go. Mercedes-Benz is sure to bring money to the band if they go there again, but something else is also standing out as evidence. The band's production manager Jim Digby tweeted at the end of October a picture of him visiting a stadium - and not just any stadium. It's the Shenzhen Universiade Centre in Shenzhen, China. It's unlikely he's just taking a vacation to China and checking some places out. It's very likely that he is scanning venues for potential Linkin Park performances there - that's part of the job as a production manager. He did the same in 2015, personally inspecting some venues in China ahead of the band's tour there. Perhaps the band's first tour of the cycle will be in China? Jim Digby's photo from the track at the Shenzhen Universiade Centre. What do you guys think? Is Linkin Park plotting a return to China - or all of Asia? Phoenix said in an interview earlier this year that the band has a big world tour - including Asia - ahead. Whether or not that claim comes true, it looks like China is definitely being considered. Check out our tour rumors thread for more discussion on potential upcoming dates, and follow us on Twitter + like our Facebook page to make sure you don't miss any announcements.

Awesome thread!

It's confirmed! Linkin Park are now confirmed to be performing in Italy this summer! A few days ago, the Italian newspaper Il Giorno announced that Linkin Park will likely be returning to Italy to perform the Independence Days Festival in Monza. They were right! Today, the band has announced that they will be headlining the festival. They'll performing on the third night of the festival (June 17) - other headliners include Green Day and Radiohead. The 2017 Summer European Tour is really shaping up to be a long one - this show brings the total up to 9. The tour has gone into July now, and there's plenty of gaps between shows. Check out our 2017 Tour page for confirmed dates, and our tour rumors thread for more possible upcoming shows.

Update time. Hear anything about any other festivals going on?