Chester Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park, reflects on the impact of their album 'Meteora' and their journey as a band. They discuss their influences, creative process, band dynamics, touring challenges, and the misconceptions surrounding their success. They also talk about their growth as a band, reinventing themselves, and the excitement of rediscovering a forgotten song during the making of their album.
The band's willingness to take risks and incorporate different influences helped solidify their identity as a touring band.
Having a strong brotherhood within the band was crucial in navigating the challenges that came with their success.
Chester Bennington's refusal to conform ultimately strengthened the bond between the band members and solidified their commitment to their music and fans.
Deep dives
The Triumph of Mediora and Solidifying the Band's Identity
The band reflects on the success and challenges of the album Mediora. Despite facing pressure and rumors of being a manufactured band, they were able to prove themselves with their music and build a strong fanbase. The album showcased their willingness to take risks and incorporate different influences, which ultimately helped solidify their identity as a touring band.
The Evolution and Impact of the Band's Music
The band members discuss the evolution of their music and the influence of various artists on their sound. They credit their ability to experiment and push boundaries to their youthfulness and energy. They also highlight the importance of having a strong brotherhood within the band to navigate the challenges that came with their success.
The Process of Reinventing and Reflecting
The band opens up about the challenges they faced as they navigated through their rapid rise to fame. They express the need to take time to reflect on their personal lives and the band's trajectory. Working with mentors like Rick Rubin and Jay-Z played a role in encouraging them to think differently and reinvent their sound. They also discuss the liberation they felt in exploring new musical directions and the significance of Mediora as an album that proved their creative versatility.
The Evolution of Meteora's Palette
Meteora expanded on the musical palette of Lincoln Park's debut album, Hybrid Theory. The second album aimed to double its range of sounds and styles, showcasing programmed elements, rap songs based on Japanese flute samples, references to electronic music artists, and a focus on dark and emotional tracks like 'Breaking the Habit'. The band fought for creative control and visual expression, emphasizing their commitment to being a collective voice rather than focusing solely on individual members.
Chester Bennington's Role and Impact
Chester Bennington's role as the lead singer of Lincoln Park was pivotal, and his emotional delivery and ability to bring out the deep and personal lyrics of the songs drew listeners in. Despite challenges and pressures from the industry to make him the sole focus, the band stood united in their commitment to Lincoln Park as a collective entity. Chester's dedication to the band's vision was evident when he stood up for maintaining their rap-rock style, even when pressured to exclude rapping from their songs. His refusal to conform ultimately strengthened the bond between the band members and solidified their commitment to creating music that resonated with both themselves and their fans.