Melody joins rap-rock as Linkin Park go nuclear

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A cursory glance at the second night’s crowd — many of whom were old enough to have angst-ridden teenagers of their own — suggested that Linkin Park haven’t acquired many new devotees since their 2000 debut, Hybrid Theory, sold millions on both sides of the Atlantic by fusing rap and grunge.

The California band have since moved into more melodic territory. Their latest album, A Thousand Suns, is an uplifting collection of pop songs — even if it is based on the concept of nuclear warfare.

Their wardrobe has also changed. Chester Bennington’s heavily tattooed torso was covered up in a black shirt as the frontman screamed his way through What I’ve Done, his voice sounding somewhere between an air-raid siren and radio static.

Between songs, the giant screen behind beamed out a series of speeches from lofty types such as American political activist Mario Savio. While such passages meld together their latest album, within the context of a pic’n’mix live show they served only to disorientate.

Savio aside, Linkin Park were exhilarating. New track Iridescent built to a majestic chorus, while old favourites Numb and Crawling were spleen-venting exercises in rousing rap-rock.

Shadow of the Day was so close to U2’s With or Without You it should have come complete with a charity appeal, but the existential angst of
In the End was pure Park.

To top it off, they invited two fans to play guitar with them onstage. It was a generous gesture from a band who still have plenty to give.

Linkin Park
The O2 Arena
Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0DX