A band’s debut album can either define them immediately or hint at what musical steps will be taken next. Often times, the first album is slightly raw as the artists showcase their obvious influences, coming into their own on future releases. But how about the groups who are in a constant state of evolution or just flat out changed their style partway through their career?
That’s the focus of this list as we examine hard rock and metal acts who have distanced themselves from their early days, all for various reasons. Linkin Park, always trying to take a leap into slightly new territory, have dominated headlines in 2017 for their pop-leaning One More Light Album, which is a far cry from the fireball energy of the nu-metal classic Hybrid Theory.
linkin park
Linkin Park debuted with one of the highest selling rock records ever, ‘Hybrid Theory.’ It was the perfect storm to capitalize on the nu-metal trend, rising above the rest. Always one to explore new dynamics and sonic twists, the band has taken the Metallica ethos of trying to move
the genre forward into uncharted territory with each release, to the chagrin of some fans and delight of others. When the pop-oriented ‘One More Light’ hit, Linkin Park were hardly recognizable as the same band that released that timeless debut.