Linkin Park ready to move album plans ‘into the next gear’

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By ( Metal Hammer ) published

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda says he wants to get “weirder” as work on The Hunting Party follow-up continues

Linkin Park
Linkin Park

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has issued a studio update as the band continue work on the follow-up to 2014’s The Hunting Party.

Last month, he discussed the challenge of juggling “too many sounds” on the as-yet-untitled album. And he’s now checked in to report that he’s now ready to “get into experimentation mode.”

Shinoda says: “I had an epiphany today about the album. Right now, in the studio, the foundations of the songs are there – I think it’s time to shift into the next gear.

“Let’s discover the voice of this album. I want to get into experimentation mode, get weirder, and record more live instruments.

“I said at the beginning, I want this album to be our best. Let’s do this.”

Shinoda has also released a 360° video where he guides viewers around the studio, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the complex.

As for a release date for the album, he says: “Timeline is a tricky thing – we’re not sure at this point when the album’s going to come out. I know at one point I said second part of this year.

“We’re doing our best. If it takes a little extra time to make some great stuff, then that’s what we do.”

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.