Linkin Park

Linkin Park is an American rock band that was founded in 1996 in Agoura Hills, California, and is one of the most successful and influential bands of the 2000s. The band became known for their unique style, which combined elements of rock, metal, rap and electronic music. Their debut album *Hybrid Theory* (2000) was a global success and is now considered one of the best-selling albums of the new millennium. With hits such as "In the End", "Crawling" and "One Step Closer", Linkin Park characterised the so-called nu-metal sound and gained a broad, cross-generational fan base.

One of the band's trademarks was the collaboration between the two frontmen Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda. Bennington's powerful vocals and Shinoda's rap parts created an unmistakable dynamic that struck both hard and emotional notes. After *Hybrid Theory*, the band continued their success with the album *Meteora* (2003), which spawned further classics such as "Numb" and "Somewhere I Belong". Over the years, Linkin Park continued to develop musically, experimenting with different genres and moving away from classic nu-metal. Albums such as *Minutes to Midnight* (2007) and *A Thousand Suns* (2010) showed their willingness to explore new creative avenues.

The tragic death of Chester Bennington in 2017 shook the music world and marked a turning point in Linkin Park's history. The band went on hiatus after this loss, but remain one of the most iconic and influential groups in modern rock music. Their music, which often dealt with themes such as personal pain, loss and inner struggles, still appeals to millions of fans worldwide.