Linkin Park: New Effort To Be Released Minutes To Midnight

Linkin Park will release their new album Minutes To Midnight, on Warner Brothers Records/Machine Shop Recordings on May 15. The first single from the collection, "What I've Done," is set to be released worldwide on April 2.

The band worked with Rick Rubin on the effort, and in a recent interview vocalist Mike Shinoda talked about what the legendary producer brings to the table.

Video clip :

Watch Video: Shinoda Working With Rubin

"Rick's phenomenal. He's... The best thing about Rick is that he's just a library of musical ideas and reference points. You know, you could be writing a song that sounds like Linkin Park, and he'll say you should go listen to this band, this band and this band to inspire you for this song. A lot of times he pulls stuff out that he pretty much knows we haven't heard or haven't listened to anytime recently, and what ends up happening is that you get ideas just from the vibe of different things you listen to -- not so much to listen to and do what they do -- but more to just get inspired by people who are making great music and doing something that's revolutionary and that excitement hopefully translates into some good ideas."

The single will surely be hitting iTunes and rock radio first, but last year at the Chainsaw Awards, the band admitted theyre not exactly the best judge of singles.

Watch Video: Linkin Park On Picking Singles

[Shinoda] "You pick up some records and you really like some songs -- that may be true for our records, I don't know -- but for us when we listen to our records we want to listen to it and like every song. So that's why it's hard for us to pick the singles." [Phoenix] "To add on to that, when Hybrid Theory came out we used to think that we'd be really good at picking singles, and we learned very quickly that the record company does that because they're way better at it. For us know, now we're like, 'You guys pick the singles. That's not what we're here to do. You tell us what will work in your world and we'll just write the music.'"

Speaking of Hybrid Theory, the band's debut, it has alone sold more than 18 million copies worldwide and the band has sold a whopping 40 million in total. Linkin Park has scheduled a handful of dates, but Shinoda says they're going to announce a tour with an "unmissable" line-up. Shinoda realizes unmissable is not a word, but he said that the soon to be announced tour will be "worth making up words for."

Comments

[Grebble]

Even though I don't like Linkin Park as much as I used to, I think I will buy this album because it will "sound different" and I still have a deep love for LP.

[TFK_62]

I dunno, I don't like when a good thing changes to a potentially bad thing. I was a big LP fan before, but then when they teamed up with Jay-Z, that was their downfall for me. Maybe if the new singles sound good I'll pick up a copy though.

[maddog26]

OMG I CANT WAIT!!!
i think ill freeze myself but i might freeze myself too long and wake up 20 years later... (maybe metallica and guns and roses would have released there new album by that time hmm rofl)

minutes to midnight?

maiden anyone...?

[PlugOfDoom]

Shinoda realizes unmissable is not a word, but he said that the soon to be announced tour will be "worth making up words for."

lawl

[PlugOfDoom]

kryptonite22 m :
minutes to midnight?

maiden anyone...?

yeah i was thinking maiden too. Maybe it'll be just as good as Powerslave...again, lawl

[danos1204]

Hopefully this effort will be good. There debut was good, but I didn't think Meteora was up to par. They have had plenty of time to work on this one, so it should be good

[Jackolas]

Poor Maiden!

[jessejames1414]

Im getting 13 yr old memories

[-[NiL]-]

Lmao. "Minutes to Midnight"....

Anyway, I'm excited about this!

[Dookie92]

Yes, at least a date is set now. I dont think I can wait that long though. I cant wait.

[kitfoo]

TFK_62 wrote:

I dunno, I don't like when a good thing changes to a potentially bad thing. I was a big LP fan before, but then when they teamed up with Jay-Z, that was their downfall for me. Maybe if the new singles sound good I'll pick up a copy though.

I'd have to agree. I LIKE the heavy sound they had in their first two albums. When they started adding all that rap crap, (ie..Jay Z) that's when I stopped listening.

[Leonheart]

Hmmm, I'm curious to what it'll sound like.

[guitartilldeath]

lol wow glad i wasn't the only one thinking about maiden.

Despite of what everybody thinks about this band, i'm a death metalhead myself but i still respect and love these guys just like i did in the old days.

[GeetarsAreRock]

I loved them initially, and then I didn't see much progression in their material and got broed with their new stuff. Here's hoping that the new changes work out.

[yawn]

I'm excited.

[DR_SH]

3 words CAN'T F**KING WAIT!

[Pantera2589]

I hope its good also.

[aprescott_27]

There was a song I played in Jazz Band called "Two Seconds to Midnight" that was a really, really cool song. Anyway, I'll be curious to see whether Minutes to Midnight is the same quality as Hybrid Theory and Meteora.

[VegetaSWE]

going to see this band in sweden 25 may cant w8..

[Prowler_88]

An 'unmissable lineup'...

Well it better be good, because if I'm gonna bother going it'll be for all the unmissable bands supporting the 'oh-so-missable' one.

[Handthatfeeds25]

Linkin Park are truely a unique band. I can't waite.

[I_Forgot_My_Pen]

I'm going to need confirmation this album breaks the 40 minute mark before I buy it.

[papersun87]

Shinoda realizes unmissable is not a word, but he said that the soon to be announced tour will be "worth making up words for."

I lol'ed.

[Noverion]

yeah there a good band, lisnteing to them now, coz i aint for aaaaages, didnt think meteora was that great but hybrid theory is a definate good. i quite liked theyre collaboration thing with Jay-Z, it may have pissed of a lot of people (form the posts already read), but the songs worked very well i think, even though it wasnt as good :/. im not sure about em headlining download, especially wiht slayer announced now, but still, more metal than MCR

[sadistic_monkey]

LP aren't a massively deep band, but they're good to put on for some catchy angst. I might get this, depends on how the single is.

[edflinkinp]

I'm really looking forward to this album.. We LP fans have been waiting for so long and the official word has been said. The speculation yesterday on the LP Message Board was insane, we were all going crazy with the dates and the messages posted on both LP and FM blogs that were deleted after a couple of minutes. Now I'm more "calmed" an patienly waiting 'cause now there's no turning back on that date. And I suggest listeners not to expect HT or Meteora bc they have been trying all this time to tell us that it's NOT gonna be like those albums, that we gotta be prepare 'cause it's gonna be different. Different but you will still be able to say "it's Linkin Park". And a "LP 1st" is gonna take place on this album as Brad Delson finally got a GUITAR SOLO on a song.. how will it turn out? I can't wait for this..

[goon316]

I_Forgot_My_Pen wrote:

I'm going to need confirmation this album breaks the 40 minute mark before I buy it.

Keep dreaming because you probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than their songs being over 3 minutes.

[onemanarmy9]

^OMG one ****ing solo lol!!! I liked Hybrid, and Meteora was decent, but for some reason I don't see this being nearly as good as either

[edflinkinp]

goon316 wrote:
Keep dreaming because you probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than their songs being over 3 minutes.

Chester Bennington
"[The Little Things That Give You Away]It's an epic song, but it's also kind of delicate in a lot of ways. There's a great guitar riff that comes in acoustically, and the words really say a lot. And I think that they'll touch people in a way Linkin Park haven't touched people before," he enthused. "And there's a breakdown that's my favorite moment on the record. It's beautiful and timeless-sounding, with this great synth sound ... and Brad [Delson] breaks into this beautiful solo and it just builds and builds and builds until it breaks down into this a cappella section. It's a huge explosion of sound, over six minutes long, and it's truly, completely amazing. And I can't wait for people to hear it."

Hm...

[duncang]

Oh, so it's gonna be a double album?

/2 Minutes To Midnight

Checked.

[StringsofBlack]

Adam_Harrison9 :
Prime example of being in it for the money: "we let record companies pick our singles 'cos then they can make more money". Faggots.

How is that selling out? They don't know what others will like so they just put out what theyve wrote. If anything its more of a I dont give a f*** attitude.

[goon316]

edflinkinp wrote:

goon316 wrote:
Keep dreaming because you probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than their songs being over 3 minutes.


Chester Bennington
"[The Little Things That Give You Away]It's an epic song, but it's also kind of delicate in a lot of ways. There's a great guitar riff that comes in acoustically, and the words really say a lot. And I think that they'll touch people in a way Linkin Park haven't touched people before," he enthused. "And there's a breakdown that's my favorite moment on the record. It's beautiful and timeless-sounding, with this great synth sound ... and Brad [Delson] breaks into this beautiful solo and it just builds and builds and builds until it breaks down into this a cappella section. It's a huge explosion of sound, over six minutes long, and it's truly, completely amazing. And I can't wait for people to hear it."


Hm...

Wow nice, correction, 1 song over 3 minutes. I'm hoping they will prove me wrong about just rehashing the same formula and that's certainly a good start.

Checked

[all hail the d]

Aha Linkin Park are actually trying to be more metal by taking a classic metal track and taking away the first word- you may notice tracks entitled 'of puppets' and 'of spades' on the new album!!!!

[Jackolas]

Worth a chuckle

[ZeRoGuY]

i saw a post about this last night on UG and it had the dates wrong.

i can't wait to hear this ****ing new shit! LP will come back bigger than ever and change music forever!!

[_sam_]

jessejames1414 wrote:

Im getting 13 yr old memories

haha me too

[Handthatfeeds25]

Chester Bennington confirmed with MTV.com that one of there songs is over 6 minutes long with a long guitar solo.

Check the MTV website if you don't believe me.

[Hells_Bell]

Handthatfeeds25 wrote:

Chester Bennington confirmed with MTV.com that one of there songs is over 6 minutes long with a long guitar solo.

Check the MTV website if you don't believe me.

It would be interesting to hear a Linkin Park solo. I might even check this album out.

[PAsistem]

i heard somewhere that this album is gonna have more of a raw punk sound than their earlier stuff

[Trifixion]

Looking forward to it!

TFK_62 :
I dunno, I don't like when a good thing changes to a potentially bad thing. I was a big LP fan before, but then when they teamed up with Jay-Z, that was their downfall for me. Maybe if the new singles sound good I'll pick up a copy though.

Why does everyone bad mouth Lp when they teamed up with jay z. i thought it was a pretty good crossover.

.

[edflinkinp]

^^ me too... good to hear that i'm not the only one who actually likes it

[xericho]

I'm wearing a shirt right now that says "linkin park returns to kill all emo's", printed it myself, go LP!

[edflinkinp]

amen to that ^^

[Rocker3829]

Man this was middle school early high school when I was listenin to this band. Meteora was HT pt.2, i'd be happy to seem them truly write a new album and not follow the same format of ABABCB songs that never hit more than 3 mins 45 seconds and albums that never even hit the 40 minute mark. It's hard for me to take this seriously once you've gotten into bands like Dream Theater which are the complete opposite of this music.

[RockMusicFan]

Can't wait!

[Anarion614]

I'll check this out.

[lucas_22]

Finally!!! ive been waitng 2 years

[Lotz222]

Dear StringsofBlack
I can see you now sitting in your room that is painted black and has devil crap all over the walls. Affraid to conform to anything becuase your scared of people. Your just being stupid for thinking that a band is a "Sellout" for not picking singles. For a band like them that are not allowed to, it is just the bussiness. The record company controls all of the steps in releasing a album (and getting most of the revenue). PEOPLE REALLY HAVE OVER DONE THE WORD "SELLOUT" ON THIS SITE. But anyway i hope LP does move in a different derection then their last albums. 40min for a record is pretty weak though. I think getting together with rick will help them move forword with out getting repedative

[Aidy Damage]

Linkin Park are a very original band with some very interesting musical ideas that really work, unlike a lot of bands who can take progression too far and turn it into something self-indulgent. I'm looking forward to this.

[Tortiss]

2 MINUTES TO MIIIIIDDDDDNIGHT!!!!
Original...No.
Worth checking out...Yes.

[Zeo2012]

HELL YA I CANT EVEN WAIT FOR THE NEW ALBUM ITS GONNA BE SO FREAKING AMAZING LINKIN PARK RULES AND IS THE MOST AMAZING EVER AH!!!!!

[lyingfromyou118]

goon316 wrote:

edflinkinp wrote:

goon316 wrote:
Keep dreaming because you probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than their songs being over 3 minutes.


Chester Bennington
"[The Little Things That Give You Away]It's an epic song, but it's also kind of delicate in a lot of ways. There's a great guitar riff that comes in acoustically, and the words really say a lot. And I think that they'll touch people in a way Linkin Park haven't touched people before," he enthused. "And there's a breakdown that's my favorite moment on the record. It's beautiful and timeless-sounding, with this great synth sound ... and Brad [Delson] breaks into this beautiful solo and it just builds and builds and builds until it breaks down into this a cappella section. It's a huge explosion of sound, over six minutes long, and it's truly, completely amazing. And I can't wait for people to hear it."


Hm...


Wow nice, correction, 1 song over 3 minutes. I'm hoping they will prove me wrong about just rehashing the same formula and that's certainly a good start.

Last time I checked, the length of a song didn't determine how good it was, but look at Hybrid Theory.

"Papercut" – 35
"One Step Closer" – 2:36
"With You" – 3:23
"Points of Authority" – 3:20
"Crawling" – 3:29
"Runaway" – 34
"By Myself" – 3:10
"In the End" – 3:36
"A Place for My Head" – 35
"Forgotten" – 3:14
"Cure for the Itch" – 2:37
"Pushing Me Away" – 3:12

Two songs under 3 minutes, one of which is an instrumental by Mr. Hahn.

[Gregoric]

i'd like to hear brad play a solo. watched an interview wiv him once and he said he didn't like playing complex parts or long solos or whatever. on the subject thought i thought the guitars in QWERTY were definately a step up (no pun intended)

[korn559]

sweet a new LP record cant wait

[rightturn]

The fact that a 6 minute song could be considered epic just because it has a guitar solo is laughable. They should try to branch out, I agree, but most compitent songwriters are be able to hold a song for six minutes in the least.

[Jawkster]

cant wait.

[blajano]

LP-JZ Killed this band... I hope this is a good album.

[EewokMan33]

i think their collab with jay-z was pretty cool and im much more excited for this album in light of that and fort minor than i was for the other two. people need to give good rap and good rap production more credit around here.

[Renfordoggz]

YAY!!!!!

[roger_w_ogden]

lol this is kinda a guitar website eewokman33....and rightturn, very well said

[SOUPerman432321]

yawn wrote:

I'm excited.

lol that kind of contradicts your name doesn't it?


i like linkin park i dont know if im gonna buy the album though


I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO!

[f1sk]

thats awesome im excited for those guys, I like lp i will def get it

[Braydon66]

F*CK UR KDDING! New LP holy shitright on! CANT F*CKING WAIT!

[tralala13]

New Linkin Park? I've been waiting for this so long that it had better be perfect. And in response to the emo lover, there's some good emo, but you can't tell me you like all of it...

[half_sicilian]

Why does the album name remind of that Iron Maiden song? Anyways, I just hope its as good as their first album.

[666Sabbath666]

I remember I went to the Unholy Alliance tour and I saw somebody got beat up by five other guys, just because he was wearing a Linkin Park shirt, that was so funny.

[†[Posessed]†]

Going to be awsome when it comes out! but 10 bucks sais they´ll do an Axl...just got a funny feeling/hunch...

[Jard_weirdo]

have u heard the song "QWERTY" check it out

[paintITblack39]

I'll check it out.

[EMT911]

I hope it's not the same repetitious 4-Chord chorus / Drop-D tuned stuff we've heard before.

[mosh_rocker2006]

Im pretty sure it wouldn't be the same for long they've worked on it...and since Rubin probably wouldn't have that.

[scarfacesuit]

maddog26 wrote:

OMG I CANT WAIT!!!
i think ill freeze myself but i might freeze myself too long and wake up 20 years later... (maybe metallica and guns and roses would have released there new album by that time hmm rofl)

metallica will have released like 10, and guns n roses will still be delaying "chinese democracy"... and china will be an actual democracy.

..assuming we don't blow up the world first in world war 3.

[scarfacesuit]

Jard_weirdo wrote:

have u heard the song "QWERTY" check it out

qwerty's not gonna be on the album... sorry dude.

[Surrylic]

ooo excited

[darth awsome]

I bet its a maiden cover album

[iamthedecieved]

im excited even tho i lost interest in them while back

[XVentura]

Mildly excited. It's been far too long since they released some new material. *sigh* Brings me back to my early high school days, getting all excited listening to Linkin Park, thinking they were the best band ever. Good times good times.

[twitch1331]

About time these guys pour out some music! I don't care what some people have to say. These guys are talent, not to mention the fact that they can go on an be college professors if the music didn't work out. Something most musicians have never achieved.

I hope this is just as good as the last two albums and that Jay-Z collab...Which by the way, was pretty well put together.

Good Rap does still exsist people.
Your just seeing all the shitty stuff about slapping nasties on ho's and all that degrading effortless rap on MTV.

[vIsIbleNoIsE]

yup good times
for me this would be like going back to play pokemon on my gameboy, but not really

[cglb123]

PlugOfDoom wrote:

kryptonite22 m :
minutes to midnight?

maiden anyone...?

yeah i was thinking maiden too. Maybe it'll be just as good as Powerslave...again, lawl

don't you dare say that...EVER!!!

[xgrunge_rockerz]

their coming to shanghai, im probably going to go see them. living in china means not much bands coming over, so id take the chance whenever there is one, but im not that a big fan of LP, hope the mosh pit will be wild

[METSOAD]

I'm gonna buy this album for those times when i was just getting into rock and linkin park were the key to heavier and better things

[TMAW]

i hope this will be good, i used to worship these guys and im glad they finally decided to play a guitar solo

[blatong]

i hope they got better in this. damn, that thing with jay-z sucked!

[nirvanafan11111]

everyone!!! 2 minutes to midnight,
The hands that treaten doom.
2 minutes to midnight,
To kill the unborn in the womb.

maybe iron maiden should sue!!!(not really) hmmm hope LP have progressed otherwise it'll be another meteora and they'll start to become the next korn!!

[Jackolas]

I jus downloaded all of meteora and hybrid theory and reanimation.

The only good songs imho at all were session and cure for the itch. I forgot how sterile they sounded, they always sound better in my head then I listen to them and its like .. nah.

Checked.

Will check this out, if only for nostalgic reasons

[angerisagift03]

somebody get mike shinoda a razor for gods sake.

[alexmearle]

Minutes to midnight?

i like linkin park and all, but there copying iron maiden and thats totally not cool!

[mosh_rocker2006]

oh yeah im sure they're copying iron maiden...i mean come on, how can a band think for themselves?!...dude you're lame!

[rock3rath3art]

VERY EXCITED!!!!

[shiznac]

xericho wrote:

I'm wearing a shirt right now that says "linkin park returns to kill all emo's", printed it myself, go LP!

you=hero im gonna go print one my self

[shiznac]

SOUPerman432321 wrote:

yawn wrote:

I'm excited.


lol that kind of contradicts your name doesn't it?


i like linkin park i dont know if im gonna buy the album though


I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO! I LOVE EMO!

wow... mature

[Big7Bad7Brad7]

Yay, Guitar solo. I liked Qwerty and I hope they release more songs that are as powerful as that. Iron Maiden, could be coincidence IDK. Minutes 2 Midnight actually sounds sharp.. Can't wait 4 da album.

[neo_exor]

Im a big fan of LP and ive just listened to the album "minutes to midnight". it f***** rocks though it sounds kinda different than other albums but change can good sometimes RIGHT!!

[Burn19]

I CANT WAIT FOR THIS ALBUM TO COME OUT!! Ive always liked LP because their music has always been something different and it sets them away from everyone else. So i think minutes to midnight is going to be AWSOME!!:M:

[lpgreatfan]

we'll see...I'm not very hopeful, because i think their previous albuns (only Hybrid Theory and Meteora) will always be the best ones...I think these new album will be only good...and i'm their fan since the beginning, but now i'm just worried about them, cause they are not unique anymore...;(
please lp, don't disappoint me.....

[i_play_bass]

i'm probably gonnna get it because i think it will be good, and it comes out on my b-day

[1syckjamster]

yo i got the album on my ipod but i cant find "what i've done" help???

[1syckjamster]

i got their new album but i cant find "what i've done" help???