Stream Linkin Park's The Hunting Party on iTunes in Full

Discussion in 'News' started by Zane, Jun 9, 2014.

  1. lilj4425

    lilj4425 Well-Known Member

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    Such a great album. :) Gets better with every listen. There isn't a song on here I don't like. The only other LP album I can say that about personally is Hybrid Theory. I rank it a solid 9/10.
     
  2. Keyboard Warrior

    Keyboard Warrior Well-Known Member

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    The Hunting Party is their best record. Deal with it.
     
  3. Cure4TheItch

    Cure4TheItch I fuck up everything I see, fighting in futility.

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    The constant release of singles kind of prevented me from really being taken by surprise by the album.

    But after two listens, this album is maybe just a tiny notch below ATS for me as my favorite one that they've done.

    I don't dislike any song.

    Moment of the album for me: Mike's rap on ALITS. It brought back the feeling we used to get when he rapped during the HT and Meteora days, but with a new twist. After Livings Things sort of let me down last album cycle, this one brought me right back up, kicked me in the fucking face, and shot me with adrenaline.

    This is what I needed to hear from LP, and this is the time I needed to hear it.
     
  4. Fernando Nuñez

    Fernando Nuñez Well-Known Member

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    Okay okay. We know that you two hate the album, happy?
     
  5. Ben

    Ben Well-Known Member

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    /thread
     
  6. ChuckCheese

    ChuckCheese Did somebody order some cheese? LPA VIP

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    Let's make one thing clear. The Hunting Party completely strangles the life out of Living Things and its partner, Recharged. It does so in the most brutal of ways and is completely unforgiving. It does the same to any naysayers who ever claimed that the band have lost their edge and could never go back to being heavy again. The Hunting Party straps you into a visceral roller coaster of noise that only lets you catch your breathe once or twice before shooting off into hell again. Linkin Park have, once again, completely redone their style and rediscovered themselves as musicians and song writers. I am ranking this as the second most impressive album ever done by the band, right behind A Thousand Suns. Brad and Rob have finally come out to play and they completely steal the spotlight for the entire ride. If you went back in time and had me listen to something like Keys to the Kingdom or War in a time when I was listening to a Linkin Park song like Iridescent or Roads Untraveled, I would have never believed that it was the same band. In a time where indie music is dominating rock radio, Linkin Park has come out with their most unexpected and just purely awesome record to date. Strap in. Here we go.

    1. Keys To The Kingdom - We are wasting no time here, folks. The opener to the album kicks your teeth in right off the bat, with Chester screaming in a way he never has before. We kick straight into a riff that would make heavy metal fans bang their heads. This is one of the band's heaviest songs to date; most definitely the heaviest chorus. Rob punishes his drum kit while Brad shreds a true guitar solo for one of the first times ever. This will get the pits moving for sure. Mike singing over the final chorus really makes this song. Couldn't ask for a better song to start this thing off. Now hang on tight, because we're just getting started.

    2. All For Nothing - This song does a great job of carrying on the energy unleashed from KTTK. Mike jumps on board and lets loose some filthy rap verses. The "1,2,3,4!" before every chorus is definitely a highlight. Bound to be an anthem for the band live. I find the chorus to be very lacking here though. Page Hamilton doesn't have too gripping of a voice and the chorus itself sounds much too generic. Luckily the energy carries this song all the way through. The song ends with you hearing "Put the heavy shit there." "The heavy shit right here?" Now you know that it's time to get really serious.

    3. Guilty All The Same - Here it is. The core of this album and a representation of all that it stands for. This is Linkin Park at their best and my personal favorite song off this record. We are treated to over a minute and a half of an introduction (and a hell of an introduction it is!) before Chester does his first singing on this album. He is raspy and ready to rock. The riff is infectious and will stick with you all day. Nobody can resist banging their head to this jam. The bridge really breaks it down here and the band goes into full jam session mode while Rakim unleashes some of the best rap lines I have ever heard. His flow is all over the place and there is no way of knowing where he's going next. We kick back into the chorus (which you can probably sing along to at this point) before the song goes out with a BANG with thrashy drums and a blistering guitar solo. This is definitely "the heavy shit".

    4. The Summoning - Take a quick breath and try to process what just kicked your ass. This is an instrumental but it definitely will not let you rest for long. This track is one big build up that lets you know that something HUGE is about to happen. Perfect precursor to the skull fucking you're about to receive.

    5. War - Linkin Park goes full punk on this fast paced heart attack of a song. Rob completely tears up the entire song with Chester shouting all over the place. This will cause heavy damage in the mosh pits. Brad shows up to do work in his best guitar solo to date for the bridge. This song takes no prisoners and lets you know that Linkin Park is ready to shred. If you're still alive after this song, get ready for...

    6. Wastelands - The riff for this song will definitely get the place jumping. Mike has his best raps of the entire album on this. Chester sings the catchiest chorus off the album as well. The synth in the background of this track really makes it stand out. It is a very safe song for the band but still holds its ground firmly and never lets the onslaught that is The Hunting Party falter in the slightest.

    7. Until It's Gone - The inevitable hit single off of the album, the song starts in the most classic Linkin Park way imaginable, except that there's something a bit different. This song is infinitely more a wall of noise than hits like Burn It Down or New Divide. Lots of stuff going on in the background of this song. The most simple lyrics of the record, perhaps even of the band's whole career. Even this song doesn't let the energy fade for one second. Rob stands out yet again with some of his best drumming on here. This is a giant anthem that will have the crowds singing along for sure. The ending truly brings it all home. Huge production for this song.

    8. Rebellion - This is a Linkin Park song with a System of a Down riff, which is of course thanks to actual SOAD guitarist Daron Malakian supplying said riff. Don't get me wrong though, that is a very good thing. This is the new BOUNCE song. Nobody will be able to resist jumping around to this jam. Mike sings and carries us through the best lyrics on the album. Chester lets loose some of his best screams on the chorus, which bring to mind other memorable Chester scream bridges like Given Up. One of the best of the album.

    9. Mark The Graves - This song is really all over the place. It goes fast, it goes slow, it goes heavy, it goes soft; it is EVERYWHERE. Phoenix has finally arrived on a Linkin Park album with one of, if not the best bass track of the band's career. This song features another long intro that shows off a lot. A constantly changing guitar part that is accompanied by Rob's drumming that is also constantly changing before finally settling into a nice groove that Chester sings over. Really really really great harmonies happening between Chester and Mike on this song. The bass line stays with you long after the song ends. And yet ANOTHER guitar solo finds its home here to showcase Brad. The drumming here really gets you grooving as well. Easily the most unique song on the album.

    10. Drawbar - Tom Morello brings a haunting mood to this piano driven instrumental. Now is truly the time to catch your breath and relax for a couple minutes before we end this album. The piano builds up perfectly to the next song.

    11. Final Masquerade - We have arrived at some of the best singing ever recorded by Chester to date. Really different sounding than anything he's done. This is the ballad of the album, but make no mistake, it's far from boring or slow. This is a true highlight of the album and the lyrics and emotions that run through it will stick with you. THIS is how you write a slower song. It completely shoves others like Roads Untraveled, Iridescent, Shadow Of The Day, ect. right out the window. Brad's guitar tone really sells it here. Great stuff.

    12. A Line In The Sand - We have reached the grand finale to the record. It was quite a ride. We had ups, downs, loops, and complete drops. The closing track of The Hunting Party begins with a slow build. The sound of a thunderstorm rolls in and the ambience settles with Mike delivering some of his best singing to date. Truly chilling. Don't get too uncomfortable though. Rob arrives to pick up the pace one last time and then the guitars kick in, borrowing the sounds from every song so far to make a forceful, driving riff that carries the rest of the song. Guilty All The Same returns in a big way, bringing the album full circle. Chester unleashes some final screams for the chorus and Mike raps over a piano just to make sure that every base is covered. Just when you think it's over, Brad switches it up and he and Rob start jamming huge. The atmosphere definitely lets you know that this is the end. The song goes out in a huge way, with wailing loud guitars and drums over Chester screaming his lungs out. The final notes are of Mike reprising his singing from the intro and we're left in the wake of the destruction that this album has left us.


    I love this album and I could not be more proud of my favorite band for making it. This is exactly what the world currently needed.
     
  7. LeoMPhillyFan

    LeoMPhillyFan Well-Known Member

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    Derek was on point when he said "A Line in The Sand" evokes Thrice. During Mike's singing parts, I kept being reminded of "For Miles". Btw, "All For Nothing"'s chorus is the catchiest thing I've heard in awhile. I've never listened to Helmet before, but now I need to check them out.
     
  8. TheZlajaZlo

    TheZlajaZlo Closing LPA Super Member

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    Make that three. And hate is such a harsh word. More like "dislike".
     
  9. Jovertop

    Jovertop Well-Known Member

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  10. Michele

    Michele Praise Brad Delson, our Lord and Savior. LPA Addict

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  11. Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    I would be careful making such statements so soon after the album has been premiered/leaked. While I'm in total agreement with you concerning the greatness of this album, I deliberately stopped short of calling it their 'best record' in my reviews, because there's no telling how well the album will age over time. Hell a lot of us loved Meteora back in the day, then kinda grew to dislike it over time. Same with LIVING THINGS. We could all be saying in 1-2 years (when the next album is out) that The Hunting Party has 'lost it's luster' and is boring now. Not that I'll ever regret giving it an 8/10 (I feel it's worthy of that), but I just would recommend waiting a few months before declaring it the best of anything. Your opinion could change after months of repeated listens for all you know.
     
  12. Bane

    Bane Together we'll fight the long defeat

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    In one way it is certainly one of their best albums: from a technical standpoint. I'm sure you'll agree that this album showcases probably the most talent and skill that the band has ever shown.

    That being said, I totally agree with you. It's easy to say this is their best record and then grow bored of the music or start to see its faults. I feel it's too early for any of us to even compare this record to their previous ones as yet. It needs to sink in.
     
  13. Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    In terms of sheer technicality, yes. This will always be one of their best albums. Even if you just simply base it off of Rob's ability, and Brad finally stepping out of the shell he put himself in for the last few albums. It's a huge reason why some people consider ATS to be their "best record", just because the band pushed themselves to create more instrumentally complex music. Sure it makes it tougher for them to replicate it live in some cases (as shown by the early struggles with GATS), but it still makes for one heck of a good sounding record.
     
  14. Jason

    Jason "My pep talk turned into a pep rally." LPA VIP

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    I'm sorry that I refuse to participate in a massive circle jerk over something that I don't connect with.

    I am a member of this forum, a Linkin Park fan, and I have donated to this website. I have a right to express my opinion.
     
  15. Bane

    Bane Together we'll fight the long defeat

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    No need to call this a circle jerk :lol: a lot of us like the album because we're enjoying it, not because we're fanboys.

    You don't like the album, and that's okay. I respect that.
     
  16. 3DU4RDO

    3DU4RDO Burning in the Skies

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    Can't agree more with this. The album is cool, there're really good songs but I can't "feel" anything about it (except for Final Masquerade). THP feels forced, rushed, and lacking of that special vibe and soul that LP always put on their records. Also, the mix is pretty bad in some parts of the album.

    No.
     
  17. Fernando Nuñez

    Fernando Nuñez Well-Known Member

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    I respect your opinion and i'm not saying you can't share it. Damn, it seems you took that very seriously. :ermm:
     
  18. SigmaZero

    SigmaZero Well-Known Member

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    I definitely see myself listening to this album for years to come. I like every song. This album is totally something I would normally listen to.
    As much I enjoy A Thousand Suns, I have been in need of another Linkin Park album, that is heavy from front to back. This takes care of that.
    As a Linkin Park fan, this album definitely surprised me. As a fan of heavy music, it's definitely heavy enough to make me happy, but it wasn't a new level of heaviness for me, as it may have been for some. That's not a knock on anyone. Every individual perceives "levels of heaviness" in a different way, depending on what they're into. Quality does come before heaviness for me, which I made clear before, when stating that, A Thousand Suns pretty much ties with Hybrid Theory, for my favorite LP album.
     
  19. Manu

    Manu Seeking tenderness with a dagger

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    That's pretty much how I feel nowadays about Living Things.

    Funny how opinions work.
     
  20. Jovertop

    Jovertop Well-Known Member

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    exactly my thoughts when i read the comment
     

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