For those of us that were around at the turn of the millennium, Meteora by Linkin Park is an
album that should need no introduction. Released in March 2003, an era when JNCO Denim
and wallet chains still reigned supreme, Linkin Park’s follow up to their massive debut
album, Hybrid Theory was an immediate hit. Dominating both the mainstream and
alternative charts for months after its initial release.
Even now, two decades after it first landed, the lyrics to songs like Faint and Numb remain
seared into the consciousness of millennials everywhere. With Meteora having left an
indelible mark on music as a whole the twentieth anniversary of its release is more
than worthy of celebration.
The band have really gone above and beyond for this re-release too. Where many would
have stopped after a simple remaster, slapped on some alternate artwork and called it a day,
LP have dug through an archive of material from Meteora’s near year-long
recording process. Painstakingly piecing together an exhaustive collection of demo’s, live
recordings and previously unreleased rarities.
Having sold over sixteen million copies, it’s safe to say that many of you own Meteora
already. Although, whilst the remastered version offered here may seem like just the tip of
the iceberg when compared to the wealth of extras packaged alongside it, its inclusion
should in no way be taken for granted.
Setting all nostalgia aside, it’s nearly impossible to say Meteora doesn’t sound a tad dated at
this point. As amazing an album as it may otherwise be. However, the new lick of paint
offered by this new remastered edition definitely helps freshen things up. Adding a subtle
layer of polish to an album that has already aged far more gracefully than say, Limp Bizkit’s
Results May Vary, or Metallica’s much maligned St Anger. Both of which were released
within months of Linkin Park’s chart topping behemoth.
Meteora’s future classic status aside though, it’s the promise of new music that probably
holds the greatest allure here, with Halo, Unfortunate and their recent single, Lost all
making their first appearances as part of this release. Giving fans a chance to relive a
bygone era and hear “new” songs featuring Chester Bennington, years after his untimely
passing. These aren’t just rough studio demo’s either, with tracks like Lost clearly having
been shown the same amount of love during the remastering process as the rest of the
album. It makes you wonder how they failed to make the cut in the first place.
For those that are willing to drop the extra cash, the massive super deluxe box set holds yet
more treasures too. Coming complete with two full live albums. Including the band’s famed
Live in Texas release, which has never previously been made available on vinyl. Along with
two DVD’s crammed with concert footage, an artbook, exclusive prints and a fully
comprehensive documentary covering the making of Meteora. All of which have been put
together with meticulous care and attention to detail.
As collector’s editions go, it’s difficult to think of any in recent memory that have been so
concise and lovingly crafted, making this a must buy for hardcore Linkin Park fans
everywhere. Even those that choose not to foot the eye watering price tag and pick up the
super deluxe version are still in for a treat too though. With this new remastered and re-energised version of Meteora packing more than enough punch to keep nu-metal alive for
another twenty years. Having lost none of the appeal that carried Linkin Park to the top all
those years ago.
Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition is available on April 7th via WMG.
