After almost two years since the release of Living Things, Linkin Park announced they would be releasing their sixth album, The Hunting Party, on June 17th.

Local LA radio station KROQ, along with LPU gave Linkin Park fans an opportunity to attend a listening party with some of the members of the band to hear The Hunting Party in its entirety before anyone else. I entered my name on both KROQ and LPUnground’s site, hoping to hear good news.  

I received a surprise call from KROQ on May 19th that I was one of the lucky winners to be chosen! I was incredibly shocked and of course ecstatic since I’ve never won a contest like this in my life. I wasn’t able to go to Linkin Park’s listening party for Living Things so I didn’t know exactly what to expect from this.

As we arrived at the venue we unfortunately had to check in any and all electronic devices. We entered the Attic, which upon first sight was dark and filled with a few leather couches and tables. The front of the room had two long couches and a big screen TV above the couches displaying promo shots for the new album. Ladies were walking around with trays serving finger foods and guys were serving wine and beer. It was a cool surprise to have an open bar for the event. It was a nice and cozy ambiance.

Soon after, Adam Reuhmer from Warner Bros. announced that Mike would come out to speak to us and later on Brad would come to join him for Q&As. I was a little disappointed that the whole band was not in attendance because I had thought each band member would be there to speak on each part they had contributed to this cd, especially Rob and his big contribution with the drums.

Mike walked out and spoke about his thoughts about the album, how he felt the music that is out on the radio now is not the alternative songs that he wanted to listen to, and not exactly something he wanted their next album to be. He wanted the next cd to be like a real “Rock n Roll” cd, something that he and the others would have been inspired to listen to when they were growing up as teens. Basically, bringing back the sounds of Metallica & Black Sabbath with more destruction and hostility.

With that being said, Mike told us to relax, forget our surroundings, and focus on listening to this record.

Below I’ve listed some of the songs that stood out the most for me:

“Keys To The Kingdom” – It started out very combative and powerful! The guitar vigorously playing while Chester was screaming! I was taken by this, hearing it immediately got my attention that this cd is going to be compelling! A great beginning to the cd.

“All For Nothing” – This song has an edge to it, but a more subtle feeling from the first song. Mike does an awesome rap with a chilled beat to the track.

“Guilty All the Same” – We’ve all heard. I love the lyrics to this song!

“Wastelands” – For now, his song has to be my favorite song on this cd! Now this song was SICK & very HYPED!! It was filled with robust sounds of the guitar and Mike’s rapping was incredible! To give a little comparison, it reminded me somewhat of  “A Place In My Head” or “Faint”.

“Until It’s Gone” – I know many fans had mixed opinions about this song. I like it and I feel it kind of reminds me of “Powerless”. It’s really the only mellow song I think that is on this cd.

“A Line in the Sand” – This is the song that you hear the band just playing like it’s the last song being played at their concert! You can feel that the band is giving it their all! Mike is singing, Rob is killing it on the drums, and Brad and Phoenix ripping it on their guitars. Amazing!

All of their interludes were different from any interludes from all of their previous albums! I loved that one of them incorporated Rob playing the drums, Brad beating the hell out of his guitar and Mike including a piano piece to it.

Overall, this cd is really no comparison to their other albums. You definitely have to listen to it from beginning to end. I most certainly will agree that they brought back the aggressive, visceral vibe that they had been striving for, and made it known that “rock” is back with this cd! I know that with this album, they will gain a lot of fans and definitely won’t disappoint the loyal Soldiers they already have.

After the listening session was over Mike and Brad came out to answer questions.Lorenzo was ready to come around to the audience with a microphone.With the lights back on, I did get to see Anna sitting a little hidden to the side, sitting amongst the audience, which I thought was very sweet.

At the end of the function Mike and Brad came down to sign our awesome Hunting Party posters that were handed to all of the fans. I complimented Mike on the cd and expressed to him that the album was my first cd listening party and I wasn’t disappointed at all with any of the new record! I also made a comment, telling him that he and the band will definitely have to step it up with the next cd they record! Mike let out a big smile, laughed out loud and said, “Thanks!” He grabbed my poser and graciously signed an extra picture of him and I that I had brought from home hoping to get signed.

I have never attended an official LPU meet & greet before but I was able to attend the LPRecharge release party back in September of last year. I must say I am so lucky and thankful for these opportunities that I get to enjoy with friends and fans. This was one of the best experiences I could’ve ever had, it was very relaxed and intimate. Everyone got to take a group picture with Mike and Brad. And everyone was truly overjoyed and happy to be a part of it.

Thanks to KROQ for giving me this opportunity again. For anyone that will be attending the Carnivores Tour this summer, it will definitely be an EPIC concert if they perform a majority of the songs from The Hunting Party.  I really felt that with this cd Linkin Park is here to attack and be very aggressive, and this album would unquestionably be my top favorite of mine.

-Janet Christman

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