Hybrid Theory (EP)

This article is about the EP. For the band's 2000 album, see Hybrid Theory.

For the theory of hybridism, see Hybrid (biology).

Hybrid Theory
EP by Linkin Park
Released	July 1999 (1999-07)
Recorded	May 1999
Genre	Nu metal rap metal alternative metal
Length	28:18
Label	Mix Media Entertainment
Producer	Mike Shinoda, Andrew Murdock
Linkin Park chronology
Xero (demo) (1997) Hybrid Theory (1999) Hybrid Theory (2000)

Hybrid Theory is the first EP released by Linkin Park with vocalist Chester Bennington. Originally released in 1999 under the band name Hybrid Theory, the EP was reissued as Linkin Park in November 2001 exclusively to members of the band's official fan club, the LP Underground.

Background

After recording several demo tapes as Xero, Mark Wakefield, the band's vocalist, left the band in November 1998. After that, Jeff Blue, the band's manager at the time, was looking for a new vocalist. Through a recommendation by a friend, he got in contact with Chester Bennington, former vocalist for Grey Daze. ^[1] He recorded a few demo takes and sent them to Xero, who have been auditioning for a new singer for months. ^{[2] [3]}

As the band finally chose Chester for their lead singer, they began recording new material in May 1999, according to Jeff Blue in his book "One Step Closer: From Xero to Linkin Park". ^[4] Kyle Christener was replacing Dave Farrell at the time of recording, since he was touring with his band "Tasty Snax". ^[5]

Some tracks like "Part of Me", “High Voltage” and "Carousel" were re-recorded for an intended inclusion on their 2000 album Hybrid Theory. ^[6]

Release

There were 1500 copies of the EP made in form of a CD. Released under their own Label "Mix Media" they were able to sell a few hundred copies, giving the rest away. They also made the tracks available for free download online. Since Hybrid Theory was less well-known at the time, each band member was assigned to go to public chat rooms online and advertise the band, while pretending to be their fan.

As the band, now rebranded as Linkin Park, launched their Fanclub "Linkin Park Underground", they re-released a remastered version of the EP for fanclub members on 19 November 2001. ^[7]

Nowadays, as the band got more popular, the original EP is hard to get. The CD sells for up to 400 $ on platforms like Discogs or EBay. ^[8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Carousel"	3:02
2.	"Technique (Short)"	0:39
3.	"Step Up"	3:54
4.	"And One"	4:29
5.	"High Voltage"	3:29
6.	"Part of Me" (Contains untitled hidden instrumental track which begins at 9:59.)	12:44
Total length:		28:28

References

1. Planet Rock Profiles (September 26, 2019). Linkin Park Rare Interview . Retrieved July 13, 2025– via YouTube.
2. "- YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
3. "Linkin Park: Die Geschichte hinter". ROCK ANTENNE Österreich (in German). January 30, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
4. "One Step Closer: From Xero to #1: Becoming Linkin Park - Kindle edition by Blue, Jeff. Arts & Photography Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com". www.amazon.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
5. Dillon, Nancy (November 10, 2023). "Linkin Park Sued by Bassist Seeking Royalties on 'More Than 20 Songs'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
6. Linkin Park Live Archive (August 17, 2018). Hybrid Theory - Demos . Retrieved July 13, 2025– via YouTube.
7. "What is the LP Underground?". www.lpunderground.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2002. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
8. Hybrid Theory - Hybrid Theory (in German), June 1999, retrieved July 13, 2025