Linkin Park Reflects on the Early Days and Chester Bennington’s Impact Ahead of Hybrid Theory’s 20th Anniversary

As the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album Hybrid Theory approaches, the members of Linkin Park have been reflecting on their formative years and the pivotal moment when they first heard Chester Bennington’s voice. In a global online press conference, band members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, and Joe Hahn shared their memories and insights about their early days and the legendary impact of their late frontman.

During the interview, guitarist Brad Delson reminisced about the rare demo track “Pictureboard,” which dates back to when Linkin Park was still called Xero. He vividly recalled the first time he heard Chester’s voice on the track. “I think ‘Pictureboard’ was the first thing I heard Chester’s voice on,” Brad said. “I remember getting that recording and being blown away. It was almost like crying with joy, just thinking, ‘Wow! I don’t even know what that is.’”

Brad elaborated on Chester’s vocal prowess, describing how his performance on the demo left a lasting impression on the band. “He’s tiny and vulnerable on the verse, and you could hear all these timbres and harmonics, like overtones, in his voice on the heavy part. It just blew my hat off my head, and we were like, ‘We gotta meet this guy!’”

Mike Shinoda added to the conversation by detailing the band’s early rehearsals with Chester and how his unique talent quickly became apparent. “When we were making demos and working together for the first time, Chester was still discovering his vocal identity,” Mike explained. “It was a process of him finding how he could express himself uniquely while fitting the style of our music. I was often the first point of contact, recording him and responding to his performances. It was a slow progression into that identity with many small steps rather than a single defining moment.”

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Linkin Park is releasing a special 20th anniversary box set of Hybrid Theory next month. Fans can secure their copies at linkinpark.com/hybridtheory20. In anticipation of the release, Mike Shinoda provided a sneak peek by unboxing the ‘Super Deluxe Box Set’ edition, showcasing the extensive contents and exclusive memorabilia included in the set.

The band’s reflections on Chester and their early days serve as a poignant reminder of their journey and the profound impact that Hybrid Theory has had on the music world. As fans eagerly await the anniversary edition, Linkin Park continues to honor their legacy and the remarkable contributions of Chester Bennington.