Looking back on Linkin Park’s career as a band, there’s a lot to be said. As time went on, you can see the evolution in their music from the Nu-Metal heroes to the changing scope of the Electronic Experimentalists that they are now. It’s safe to say they’ve come an awful long way.
Mike Shinoda has recently been reflecting on the evolution of the band recently, with the release of ‘She Couldn’t’. The track is a demo from 1999 which sounds a lot different to the material which would come to be released on their record, ‘Hybrid Theory’.
““She Couldn’t” is one of the earliest demos we made when Chester joined the band.
Two things stand out about the song, to me:
1.) The programmed beat and focus on synth sounds and vocal loops (rather than heavy guitars) foreshadowed a future of the band many years after Hybrid Theory. In searching for our “first sound,” we set the groundwork for our later evolution.
2.) The softly-sung “you’re not alone” refrain reminded me that, although we debuted with a song screaming “shut up,” what most fans came to find out was that empathy and community were just as integral a part of LP’s DNA from the very beginning.”
It’s 4PM on a Friday! This means it’s time for the music video roundup. If you’re new to either the blog or these music video roundup posts, this is how it works. Every week, I watch some of the best recently released music videos and compile them into a list for everyone’s viewing pleasure. They’re span across all the different genres, so expect something different for most of the tracks. First up are Breather, an up and coming British group with a powerful track in the form of, ‘The Blue’.
The second entry is another fantastic video. It features footage taken from his recent tour in support of his debut solo record, ‘Post Traumatic’ and the clips are from the New York and Montreal shows of Mike Shinoda’s tour, check out I.O.U. below.
It’s safe to say State Champs newest record, ‘Living Proof’ was one of Pop-Punks best records in 2018 and one of their best tracks off the record, ‘Criminal’ has a music video! The basic plot? It’s about a desperate search for an iPod. Trust me.
Recently, the fantastic Welsh up and comers Holding Absence finally released their long-awaited debut record but just before, they dropped a new video which introduces some colour into their monochrome aesthetic they’re known for.
Vocalist Lucas Woodland had the following to say about the song and their previous singles.
“We’re so proud and excited to show everybody ‘Monochrome’, the song shows our band sonically and visually in a new light and opens a lot of doors for us. We feel like this track, alongside the prior 3 singles released are a great insight as to what our album has to offer and what fans can expect.”
Another band who’s just released some new material are the British melodic hardcore newcomers Modern Error. Their last cut before the release of their debut EP, ‘Lost In The Noise’ is called ‘Self Synthetic’ which keeps up their blue aesthetic.
Time to get a little cinematic. It’s from those wolf masked crazies in Man With A Mission and this video packs a punch. Literally.
Moving into 2019, The Xcerts are going into it off a stellar 2018 for the band who’ve just kept that momentum going from every single track off their latest record. With a new EP on the horizon for the band, 2019 will be a make or break year for them. With that in mind, they have a new video for ‘You Mean Everything’ and on this video, vocalist Murray Macleod has said:
“We are really psyched to share with you the video for ‘You Mean Everything’. It was put together by our close friend Thomas Brooker who has spent the past year and a half with us on the road during the entire ‘Hold On To Your Heart’ campaign. I guess it’s kind of a romantic rock and roll, family home video, we hope you dig it as much as we do.”
Moving on with this list, we’re going across the pond to the Boston based hardcore band, Defeater. They’re gearing up for the release of their fifth record, but recently dropped a stream of the lead single, ‘Mothers’ Son’. It features plenty of footage working on the record in the studio and is quite a visual spectacle.
Following the announcement of their EP, ‘Ensom’ and the reaction to their debut single off it, Parting Gift have another surprise for us which just intensifies just what we’re gearing up for with this band.
And we have a huge, dark and intense last video for everyone. It’s Underoath and they have a video for a track off their 2018 record, ‘Erase Me’. Aaron Gillespie has said: “Spencer [Chamberlain] and I were chained to a pole for three hours with a stranger, who was the actress. Making this video was a really interesting process, because the song deals with a lot of deep issues and struggles. But it was so late when we were filming that we were just hysterical. The video seems so serious due to the lyrical content, but it was a night.”
And that’s it for another week of music video roundup. Don’t forget to check back next week at 4PM sharp for another countdown of ten of the best recent music videos to feast your eyes upon. There’s also new posts every day on the Almost anything Media so be sure to check out anything that might catch your eye.
Following the release of his solo debut record, ‘Post Traumatic’, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has made his live TV debut as a solo artist on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
Shinoda performed ‘Crossing A Line’ on the show, which you can view below.
It’s Friday so you know what it’s time for. It’s another countdown video for ten of the best latest music videos going around at the moment. Ahead of their Warped Tour appearance on the final ever cross-country trek across America this summer, Real Friends have released a brand new single with the accompanying video for ‘From The Outside’.
Next up are Homebound. They’ve revealed a new video for ‘Coming Clean’ and on the track, Vocalist Charlie Boughton has said: “The over-thinking and played out scenarios we mull over and over in our heads until we realise there’s nothing left to do but say what needs to be said.”
Now for some cinematics from none other than Knuckle Puck. They’ve recently announced they’re coming back to the UK this October with Tiny Moving Parts and Movements but until then, there’s the latest video for ‘Want Me Around’.
Next up, one thing you probably didn’t expect in a video on this list: Sock Puppets. You read that correctly! This next video is from Mike Shinoda in the video for ‘Ghosts’.
Now Don Broco have released some wacky videos in the past but now it’s another too add to their filmography in the video for ‘Greatness’, which is taken off their latest record, ‘Technology’.
Now Blackpool based rockers Boston Manor have had a pretty hectic week. They’ve played Download Festival, announced a headline UK tour and a new record. On top of that, here’s their newest video for ‘Halo’.
Pop-Punk royalty New Found Glory have released a few great videos in the last year and now they have a new one for their track ‘Heaven Sent’, the first single off their 2017 extended release ‘Makes Me Sick’. Check it out below.
The first chapter of Sainte is over. New music should be on the way if Tay Jardine is to believe. (I mean, why wouldn’t we?) But that means two new videos are here. Here is the first for ‘If You Ever Feel Alone’.
Now some huge news. If you didn’t know With Confidence are back! They’re releasing a new record at the end of August and we couldn’t be more excited! Here’s the first taste of their new material in the video for ‘That Something’.
And last but certainly not least is Neck Deep and the video for ‘Don’t Wait’ which features Architect’s Sam Carter. It’s the latest video from the band’s 2018 record, ‘The Peace And The Panic’ and probably one of my favourite videos in a while.
And that’s the last video for this week’s list. We’ve had some great ones this week and I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon on the next video countdown. Be sure to check back next week.
The Reading & Leeds festival just got a whole load of announcements. This includes Mike Shinoda, Chase Atlantic, The Used, Trash Boat, The Faim and so many more!
They’re joining up with Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, Waterparks, Creeper and more!
The festival takes place August 24th – 26th at Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park.
Given Linkin Park’s situation, it’s been rife with speculation on whether if the band will continue to make music. Now, Mike Shinoda has announced the group has “every intention on continuing”.
I have every intention on continuing with LP, and the guys feel the same. We have a lot of rebuilding to do, and questions to answer, so it’ll take time. https://t.co/nXLxTSd40J
I think it goes without saying that people attempting to profit from a celebrities death is wrong, especially when people are still in mourning of that person. It really sickens me to know that there are people out there still doing this.
Hopefully though the music for relief numbers will be even greater so that charities can continue to do the amazing work that’s needed in the world.
The art and music Chester inspired will continue, and he will for generations. Thank you Chester and Linkin Park for all the music and friends I’ve made because of your band.
The band are setting up the One More Light Fund in honor of Chester. More information can be found at this link.
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