Linkin Park Commemorates 20 Years of Groundbreaking 2000 Debut ‘Hybrid Theory’ with New Anniversary Edition (Listen/Buy)

On Oct. 24, 2000, a young alt/metal band named Linkin Park released its debut album, Hybrid Theory. The record would catapult the group to superstardom, led by aggressive and emotional songs like “One Step Closer,” “Crawling” and “In the End” — and today, the band commemorates that classic album.

In a sense, this new 20th anniversary edition of Hybrid Theory toasts both the band’s groundbreaking debut record and the life and legacy of singer Chester Bennington, who died in July 2017.

Click here to purchase Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory 20th anniversary sets from our Rock Cellar Store

Led by the singles “One Step Closer,” “Crawling” and “In the End” (which recently passed a billion YouTube views), Hybrid Theory came out at the absolute perfect time for the group, and served as a groundbreaking introduction to the music scene. Its release and massive success set in course the band’s rapid ascent to the top of the alt/rock game and made Linkin Park a global phenomenon.

Bennington, the dynamic emotional heart of the group, passed away in July 2017 — so the Hybrid Theory 20th anniversary reissue is very much a celebration of him as much as it is a celebration of the rest of the band — Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Rob Bourdon, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and DJ Joe Hahn.

Said the band in a statement:

It’s incredible to think it’s been 20 years since Hybrid Theory was released. All gratitude to our fans who made this epic journey we started 20 years ago possible. We dedicate our music to you. We rededicate our Hybrid Theory to you.

The Hybrid Theory anniversary edition features a bounty of unreleased demo recordings, alternate takes and other recordings that didn’t make the cut for the original album, a collection of recordings that works together to paint a picture of what the group went through along the way to crafting one of the most successful albums of the past few decades.

Stream the digital edition below.