AUDIO: Previously Unreleased Hybrid Theory 6-Track Internal Demo CD (May 8th, 2000)

Today we have exclusive audio for you of a rare and previously unheard demo CD dated from May 8th, 2000. Appearing by surprise recently on an obscure online eBay auction, the existence of this CD was previously unknown to Linkin Park collectors, and we are excited to be able to present these demos to you for the very first time.

Given to LPA by our own forum member Ginger, this CD contains the earliest known versions of Papercut, Plaster and With You as well as new mixes of pre-existing demos. While none of the demos have different lyrics (apart from a few added words in Papercut and the "talk show" intro for POA), many tracks contain completely different vocal takes from their finished counterparts, and even in some cases have different transitions, samples, effects or outros from what is found on the final release of Hybrid Theory.

Some notable differences include:

• "Plaster": Different mix to the David Kahne remix. Camera shutter is almost completely muted, and it does not include the 'remixed' Shut Up intro found in the previously released Plaster. Very similar to the album version, with a different vocal take for Chester's 'just like before'. Some scratches are missing.
• "Papercut": Earliest version of Papercut now known to exist. Drum intro from album version is missing, and the vocal take is totally different from the final version. Outro is also different, ending on a different lyric than the final.

Track 5 on the CD; titled "Dust Brothers" (a homage to the group who provided drum samples for the final song) is a previously unheard demo of With You, that is different to the "Now I See" demo released for free to the Linkin Park Street Team back in early 2000. While similar in many ways to the final version, this demo features a noticeable lack of Joe's scratches in the intro and bridge, a slightly different vocal take as well as a different outro idea than what was used on the album itself.

"Crawling" features a partially different mix and vocal take, while "Points of Authority" and "Untitled" are already released demos that were heard prior to the release of this album, albeit now in FLAC format.

As for the facts: We know this to be done after the band was signed to Warner, and done in-between the release of the 9-Track demo and the internal Plaster WBR Acetate. The 9-track was created February 2000, and the HT WBR internal in August 2000 and the plaster WBR internal in June. The Plaster on this CD is a different mix than the David Kahne version which makes this version of One Step Closer (then known as "Plaster") officially the oldest known to currently exist.

We hope you enjoy these previously unseen glimpses into Linkin Park's recording history, and we would love to know your thoughts in the comments! A huge thanks must go to LPA member Ginger for giving these tracks to us exclusively. Thanks Ginger!

MP3

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FLAC

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These are awesome! LOVE Dust Brothers so much. Papercut is so refreshing too. Crawling is also great.

 

Mike's absence in the chorus of these demos stands out so much! I don't know if he's mixed really low or just not in some of the tracks in certain spots.

 

The new ending to Papercut fucked me in the face the first time I heard it. Totally surprising.

 

Downloading now...

 

Amazing how even with 12 year old songs this band can still find ways to surprise us.

 

I fucking love Dust Brothers. The outro is great and completely refreshing to hear. The absence of Mike in the chorus really makes this version stand out. Great to hear a different version of With You after so long.

 

Yeah I never thought I'd miss backing vocals so much. Without Mike doubling Chester the chorus just feels so empty.