No album defined the nu metal genre better than Hybrid Theory. Released two years ago, the multi-platinum metal and hip hop hybrid turned Linkin Park into a global phenomenon. But today, with genre lynchpins such as Limp Bizkit sounding increasingly dated, the pressure is on nu metal to reinvent itself or die.

Fortunately, Meteora sees Linkin Park make a self-conscious stab at a more diverse sound. This is most effective on the soft-focus, '80s stylings of "Breaking The Habit" and the stuttering grooves of "Hit The Floor". Yet despite these flourishes, the vocal interplay between Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda dominates every track. And, sadly, nothing on Meteora comes close to the piano-laced pathos of previous hit "In The End".

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