Linkin Park, The Hunting Party

AFTER a band have been around for a while they often find renewed success by reinventing themselves.

But it is quite the opposite for Linkin Park’s comeback album – for The Hunting Party they have returned to their roots.

Inspiration for this CD was coming up with the kind of music the Californian six-piece would have liked to have listened to when they were teens.

The result is a barrage of fast, metal songs which are as angry as they are anthemic and each one has a sense of vibrancy arguably missing from the band’s work recently.

It feels like a call to arms and the kind of album they have been wanted to make for years.

What is also great about The Hunting Party is that a balance has finally been struck between the rock and the rap.

On past Linkin Park albums, I have found Mike Shinoda’s rapping a bit overbearing but it blends into the songs here better than ever.

The production on the album is well polished but allows the raw quality of the rock songs to shine through.

And keep a sharp ear out as there are a number of guest musician slots to listen out for, including Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello.

DAVID MORGAN