Here's my quick review. Keys to the Kingdom: Sometimes... All For Nothing: No. Guilty all the Same: Sometimes... The Summoning: Maybe? War: I don't think so. Wastelands: Sometimes... Until It's Gone: No. Rebellion: Yes Mark the Graves: Yes. Drawbar: Yes. Final Masquerade: Yes. A Line in the Sand: YES.
I'm in the same boat. I have it downloaded but refuse to listen to it in that quality knowing cdq could be out any minute
A very solid first listen. It's their heaviest album to date(No comparison really) IMO Brad did some great guitar work on songs like KTTK, ALITS, AFN, War and MTH, overall this album shows that LP can do more than just use protools. But the album kind of lacks the softer sides of LP, even though they incorporate them in some part of the songs. If they had played on some of the stronger sides in the instrumentals and added more of the atmosphere and sound of ATS then it would have felt even more "diverse." Instead it turns the guitar "up a notch" more often than not. This album will take more plays to grow on the listener(Like with ATS... It's a good thing) but it is a HUGE step for the band. They evolved as musicians with this album that is for sure. First listen review Mind blowing: War, A Line In The Sand, Keys To The Kingdom "I don't know what to think.": Mark The Graves Great Tracks: Guilty All The Same, Final Masquerade, All For Nothing, Rebellion Good Tracks: The interludes, Until It's Gone Weakest track: Wastelands 8/10 - (So far, will probably change.)
Keys To The Kingdom 10/10 All For nothing 8.5/10 Guilty All The Same 8/10 War 8.5/10 Wastelands 7/10 Until It's gone 7/10 Rebellion 9/10 Mark The Graves 8.7/10 Final Masquerade 7.5/10 A Line In The Sand 9.5/10
I hope that they're next work stays on the surface of this one's ideal of maintaining a more instrumentally driven sound, but they allow themselves to be even more experimental. Like, well, the polar opposite of LT. Because it was about maintaining some experimentation that came with ATS, yet allowing themselves to make it familiar again.
I don't know what to think after the first listen. Im overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time. Creatively, its a very risky direction. It almost sounds like a cover album of hits in the 80s. I dont think this pushes the genre forward, its moreso an ode to the past. It works in ways, but its defiantly a polarizing album. I think people will absolutely love this album or be indifferent to it. For me personally, this isnt the type of rock im into nor is it the type of music i listen to these days and im past the days of listening to music until it grows on me. Once again after the first album im overwhelmed with the stuff they put together it defiantly is in your face and viceral, but underwhelmed by the direction in general this album cycle. I dont think ill ever be a diehard fan of an album of LP again. Those were my teenage years. My favorite tracks 1. Final Masquerade 2. Rebellion 3. Guilty All the same 4. Mark the Graves 5. A Line in the Sand Additional comments: -Mike sounded great on this album. -Chester's worst vocal performance to date -Is Joe Hahn still in the band?
Keys To The Kingdom 9/10 All For nothing 7.5/10 Guilty All The Same 8/10 War 7/10 Wastelands 7/10 Until It's gone 7/10 Rebellion 9/10 Mark The Graves 10/10 Final Masquerade 9.5/10 A Line In The Sand 9/10
Mark The Graves' vocal melody sounds like it was straight up lifted from the breakdown/build-up of Blackout. Kinda kills the song for me.
Pretty good interview with Chester. Finally some new questions too. https://soundcloud.com/teamrockradio/linkin-park-metal-hammer-interview