Mike Shinoda recently spoke with The Vulture about the band's upcoming 20th-anniversary edition of their sophomore album, "Meteora," and his journey since the death of his bandmate, Chester Bennington. Shinoda discussed how the band's signature sound, a mix of rock and rap, was born out of a genuine love for both genres and the band's willingness to experiment with different sounds and techniques.
In the interview, Shinoda discusses the meticulous production and deliberate simplicity of the album, as well as the challenges they faced in blending rock and rap genres at a time when it wasn't widely accepted.
Shinoda also revealed that the band had originally intended to release the track "Lost," which is included on the new Meteora 20 release, as a B-side or for a Japanese or European release. However, the song's similar tone to "Numb" led to it being left off the album.
The Linkin Park co-frontman additionally touched on the band's experience with critics, who often dismissed their music as simple or lacking in artistic merit. Despite this criticism, the band's fan base remained loyal and dedicated, and Linkin Park continued to push boundaries and challenge expectations.
Throughout the interview, Shinoda emphasizes the importance of creating music that feels authentic to oneself and not catering solely to external pressures or expectations. He also reflects on how Linkin Park's music has impacted fans, including introducing many hip-hop fans to rock music and breaking down genre barriers.
Shinoda shared a candid talk about his grieving process following Bennington's death, and how it has affected his approach to making music. He explains that his solo album "Post Traumatic" was a way for him to process his grief and connect with fans, but he has since taken time to experiment with different ideas and avoid releasing music with his own vocals for a while.
Overall, the interview gave us some nostalgic insight into the creative process and legacy of Meteora, as well as the personal struggles and growth of Mike Shinoda in the aftermath of Chester Bennington's death and is definitely worth a read if you're feeling nostalgic.
