Linkin Park: "The Hunting Party" Track-By-Track Preview of the Six Song Sampler

I recently got the chance to listen to six tracks from Linkin Park's upcoming album The Hunting Party, due out June 17th, and am able to share thoughts and impressions on what I heard. While I am including my descriptions of the six tracks I heard below, please be sure to head on over to my alternative rock website, AltWire for my complete thoughts on the new material, as well as for the full write-up.

Keys To The Kingdom

Confirmed as the opening track to The Hunting Party, this track wastes no time in introducing you to the band's goal and mission statement for this record, delivering a brass knuckled punch to the face as Rob Bourdon channels Black Flag to deliver some of his quickest and fiercest drumming on a Linkin Park record to date. Feeling like a punk-rock influenced cousin of their earlier track "Victimized" (from 2012's LIVING THINGS), vocalist Chester Bennington screams out his frustrations over the track's high octane instrumentation as he laments to the listener "I'm my own casualty; I've fucked up everything I say, fighting in futility".

All For Nothing (Featuring Page Hamilton)

A clearly intentional nod to Helmet in its influences and style (so much that Helmet lead vocalist Page Hamilton appears on the track), "All For Nothing" comes off as a challenge to the band's critics and naysayers, while extending a middle fingered invitation for them to step up to the plate. Mike Shinoda fires back at those who attempt to control him, defiantly stating "no I'm not your soldier, I ain't taking any orders, I'm a five star general infantry controller...". Guest vocalist Page Hamilton steps in to sing the song's chorus over Sum-41 style gang vocals from Chester Bennington as he proclaims "I'm gonna get what I deserve".

Guilty All The Same (Featuring Rakim)

From its blistering two-minute intro to its squealing outro, the single hits you like a hurricane from the very first second and does not let up. "GATS" does not feature the electronic elements that had been found in some of the band's most recent material, but instead offers something louder, rawer and nastier than we have ever heard from Linkin Park. It also features a surprise appearance from hip-hop legend Rakim, marking the first time a guest vocalist has appeared on one of the band's studio releases. It's new, it's exciting, it's challenging, and it's refreshing at a time when rock music has arguably lost some of its edge.

Wastelands

Fans of Mike Shinoda's hip-hop oriented side project Fort Minor, will undoubtedly be left in awe over the exquisite rhyme pattern and wordplay Mike Shinoda delivers on top of Wasteland's gritty stomping drum beat and distorted guitar riffs that pervade the song's 3 minute plus running time. A confident display of his rap abilities, Shinoda puts his skills on full display stating "This is war with no weapons, marchin' with no steppin', murder with no killin', ill in every direction" informing other emcees to first "do the math" because there's "no equal, a John with no Yoko, more power, less people..." complimented by a chorus that features lyrics themed around an end of the world apocalyptic scenario, this track hits hard, and lets everybody know that Mr. Shinoda can run with the best of them.

Until It's Gone

Beginning with a synth line reminiscent of 2003's "Numb" from their sophomore release Meteora, Until It's Gone takes a sharp turn into an unexpected brooding goth rock anthem, proving to be one of the most atmospheric and diverse songs on the 6 song sampler. It took me by surprise on the first listen, and is actually one of my favorite songs the band has done in recent memory. With it's gorgeous choir like backing vocals, and intense orchestral backdrop this song stays with you, and impacts you long after well...'It's Gone'. Atmospherically similar to the band's 2010 release A Thousand Suns, Chester looks back woefully in regret at a failed relationship, singing "I thought I kept you safe and sound, I thought I made you strong, but something made me realize, that I was wrong." It wouldn't be out of place to expect this as the band's next single given its highly memorable sound and powerful melodies.

Rebellion (Featuring Daron Malakian)

Sonically resembling a Toxicity-era System of a Down track, Daron Malakian's signature guitar sound is on full display here as he delivers a blisteringly fast sixteenth note guitar riff behind Mike Shinoda's sung lead vocals, breaking only momentarily for the chorus where Chester Bennington takes over the microphone to sing "we are the fortunate ones, imitations of rebellion". Painting a picture of society's downfall, Rebellion comes to a close with a super heavy fist pumping bridge of "Rebellion! Rebellion! One by one we fall apart!"

While System fans have been waiting for a new album that may seemingly never come, they may just find what they were missing on this ultra-heavy rock track that combines System of Down's alternative-metal style with the early 90's punk sound that influences and permeates through many of the tracks on The Hunting Party. Guaranteed to be a crowd favorite if it ever is performed live, this track will no doubt land on many rock fans "favorite tracks" list when The Hunting Party drops this June.

Source: AltWire

 

Can't reveal song lengths unfortunately. Sorry!

 

Should be working fine now.

And Minus, I had five viscerals in there originally as a joke. Edited all/most of them out.

Yep. Joe's right. I couldn't get those cleared for approval to post. Sorry!