Keys to the Kingdom (song)

Last updated
"Keys to the Kingdom"
Song by Linkin Park
from the album The Hunting Party
ReleasedJune 13, 2014
Recorded2013–2014
Genre
Length3:38
Label
Songwriter(s) Linkin Park
Producer(s)

"Keys to the Kingdom" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park from their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party . It is the album's opening track, and entered the UK Rock chart at number 33, although it was not released as a single. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and lead guitarist Brad Delson. The song was not performed by the band during the album's accompanying The Hunting Party Tour, and would not see a live debut until the From Zero World Tour in 2024.

Contents

Composition

"Keys to the Kingdom" is explained in an early preview for the album as, "Right off the bat this track has an old-school punk vibe with a new twist. The hasty drums and explosive riffs [add] a hardcore element to it. Vocalist Chester Bennington unleashes melodies and the balance of Shinoda’s rap verses makes for a powerful combination. Although the band will be playing arenas on their forthcoming Carnivores tour, this song has an underground feel that would welcome them to a small, beat up venue in Brooklyn, N.Y." [1] The song continues its outro into the album's second track, "All for Nothing" featuring Page Hamilton of Helmet.

Live performances

"Keys to the Kingdom" was initially never performed live prior to Bennington's death in July 2017. During Shinoda's Manila concert of his solo Post Traumatic Tour in September 2019, Shinoda performed a snippet of "Keys to the Kingdom" during "Sorry for Now," marking the first time the song had been performed live in any capacity. [2]

Following Linkin Park's announced reformation in 2024 with new members Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain, "Keys to the Kingdom" was performed live in full for the first time at the band's first concert of the From Zero World Tour at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California on September 11, 2024. Armstrong, the band's new vocalist, took up lead vocals of the song. [3]

Reception

In a track-by-track review for the album, by Billboard 's Kenneth Partridge highlighted Linkin Park's "back-to-basics approach", hardcore punk-styled introduction, and overall nu metal sound akin to their early releases. [4]

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Keys to the Kingdom"
Chart (2014)Peak
position
UK Rock & Metal (OCC) [5] 33

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linkin Park</span> American rock band

Linkin Park is an American rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist/rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Mike Shinoda, lead guitarist Brad Delson, DJ/turntablist Joe Hahn, bassist Dave Farrell, co-lead vocalist Emily Armstrong, and drummer Colin Brittain. The lineup for the band's first seven studio albums included lead vocalist Chester Bennington and drummer Rob Bourdon until Bennington's death by suicide in July 2017, which caused the band to enter an indefinite hiatus. In September 2024, Linkin Park's reformation was announced along with the addition of Armstrong and Brittain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Shinoda</span> American musician (born 1977)

Michael Kenji Shinoda is an American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and graphic designer. He co-founded the rock band Linkin Park in 1996 and is the band's co-lead vocalist, as well as rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, primary songwriter and producer. Shinoda later created a hip-hop-driven side project, Fort Minor, in 2004. He has also served as a producer for tracks and albums by artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Styles of Beyond, and the X-Ecutioners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Delson</span> American guitarist

Bradford Philip Delson is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist and one of the founding members of the rock band Linkin Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebellion (song)</span> 2014 single by Linkin Park featuring Daron Malakian

"Rebellion" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was originally recorded by the band for their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, where it appears as the eighth track on the album. The song features Armenian-American multi-instrumentalist Daron Malakian from heavy metal band System of a Down, who plays additional guitar on the track. The track was released as the fourth official single from The Hunting Party on June 4, 2014 and was later released on American rock radio on October 13, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burning in the Skies</span> 2011 single by Linkin Park

"Burning in the Skies" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. It was announced as the band's third single from their fourth studio album, A Thousand Suns, on January 20, 2011, and it was released on March 21. A music video for the single was directed by Joe Hahn, Linkin Park's turntablist. It was released in the United States to the Nielsen BDS adult contemporary indicator chart by February 2011, although it was clarified by vocalist Mike Shinoda that it is an international-only single, hence not charting in any Billboard charts.

"In My Remains" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park from their fifth studio album, Living Things. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin. Although never released as a single in any part of the world, it charted in several countries.

"I'll Be Gone" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park from their fifth studio album, Living Things. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin. The song features strings by Arcade Fire arranger Owen Pallett. It entered the UK Rock Singles Charts at number 26 and was added to the playlist of Los Angeles modern rock station KROQ on December 5, 2012.

"Blackout" is a promotional single by American rock band Linkin Park. It is the ninth track from their 2010 album, A Thousand Suns. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilty All the Same</span> 2014 single by Linkin Park featuring Rakim

"Guilty All the Same" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was recorded by the band for their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, serving as the third track. The track features American rapper Rakim. The track premiered on March 6, 2014, on commercial mobile service Shazam, and was released as a single by Warner Bros. Records on March 7, 2014. The song was self-produced since the band decided not to have a producer for the album.

<i>The Hunting Party</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Linkin Park

The Hunting Party is the sixth studio album by American rock band Linkin Park. The album, produced by band members Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson, was released by Warner Bros. Records and Machine Shop on June 17, 2014. It is the first album since Meteora (2003) not to be produced with Rick Rubin, who produced the band's previous three studio albums. The album's title is a contextual metaphor: Linkin Park is the party that is hunting to bring back the energy and soul of rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until It's Gone (Linkin Park song)</span> 2014 single by Linkin Park

"Until It's Gone" is a song written by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was originally recorded by the band for their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, where it appears as the seventh track on the album. Produced by Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson, the track also appears on the single of the same name, which was released by Warner Bros. Records and Machine Shop on May 6, 2014. The single is the second to be released in promotion of The Hunting Party. The single is also included in the music for the action-adventure video game Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark, which was released on June 24, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wastelands (song)</span> 2014 single by Linkin Park

"Wastelands" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park from their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson, and co-produced by Rob Cavallo. "Wastelands" was sent to Sirius XM Radio radio stations in airplay on June 1, 2014, and was then released as the third official single on June 2. Although, a 44 seconds long preview of the song was aired before, and a minute long preview was used in the promotion of UFC on the date of release of the song. Later on the song was used as the theme song for "UFC". The cover of the song was available three days before the release of the song at SoundCloud. The song can be streamed on Sirius XM. It is also a playable song on the music video game Guitar Hero Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Final Masquerade</span> 2014 single by Linkin Park

"Final Masquerade" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was originally recorded by the band for their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, where it appears as the eleventh track on the album and serves as the fifth and final single. The song premiered on MTV on June 8, 2014. The song was produced by Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson, and co-produced by Emile Haynie.

"All for Nothing" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park featuring American guitarist and singer Page Hamilton of alternative metal band Helmet from their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party. The song appears on the album as the second track. It has entered the UK Rock chart at number 23, although it hasn't been released as a single. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and lead guitarist Brad Delson. The song is featured in the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2015. The band was not performed by the band during the album's accompanying The Hunting Party Tour, and would not see a live debut until the From Zero World Tour in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy (Linkin Park song)</span> 2017 single by Linkin Park

"Heavy" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park, featuring guest vocals from American singer Kiiara. The song is the first single from their seventh studio album, One More Light. The song was written by Linkin Park members Chester Bennington, Brad Delson, and Mike Shinoda, alongside Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. The single was released for download on February 16, 2017, and was premiered on radio on February 21. It is the band's last single to be released during Bennington's lifetime.

<i>One More Light</i> 2017 studio album by Linkin Park

One More Light is the seventh studio album by American rock band Linkin Park. It was released on May 19, 2017, through Warner Bros. Records and Machine Shop. It is the band's first album to have a title track, as they felt that the song "One More Light" was the heart of the album. It is also the band's final album to feature two of their longtime members: co-lead vocalist Chester Bennington, who died from suicide by hanging two months after the album's release, and drummer and band co-founder Rob Bourdon, who opted to not return for the band's reformation in 2024.

"Battle Symphony" is a promotional single by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was recorded by the band for their seventh studio album, titled One More Light. The song appears on the album as the fourth track. The song was written by Linkin Park members Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda. The song was released on March 16, 2017, but it was leaked some days before.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invisible (Linkin Park song)</span> 2017 promotional single by Linkin Park

"Invisible" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. It was released from their seventh studio album, One More Light. The song was written by Mike Shinoda and Justin Parker. The song is sung by Mike Shinoda with Chester Bennington on backing vocals. The song premiered on May 10, 2017, at Zane Lowe's World Record show on Beats 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington</span> 2017 tribute concert

Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington was a tribute concert by American rock band Linkin Park, held on October 27, 2017, at the Hollywood Bowl in order to honor their frontman Chester Bennington who died by suicide on July 20, 2017. It was Linkin Park's only live performance following Bennington's death until the band's reformation in 2024, and their final concert to include drummer Rob Bourdon, who did not rejoin the band following its hiatus, and lead guitarist Brad Delson, who has not toured with the band since its reunion, although he remains an official member. The concert featured various artists, including Blink-182 members of System of a Down, Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Machine Gun Kelly, Sum 41, Bring Me the Horizon, Civil Twilight, A Day to Remember, Yellowcard, and Kiiara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friendly Fire (song)</span> 2024 single by Linkin Park

"Friendly Fire" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. Originally recorded during sessions for their seventh studio album, One More Light (2017), it was later officially released on February 23, 2024, as the lead single from the greatest hits album Papercuts and features vocals from Chester Bennington that were recorded before his death in 2017. It appears as the 20th and final track on the album itself. The song was included in the setlist for the band's From Zero World Tour in 2024.

References

  1. "Early preview The Hunting Party" Loudwire Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  2. Bodegon-Hikino, Kara (September 9, 2019). "Mike Shinoda serves fresh rhymes and nostalgia at first solo Manila concert". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  3. Willman, Chris (September 11, 2024). "Linkin Park Thrills L.A. Forum Crowd With New Singer in First Full Show Since 2017: See the 27-Song Setlist". Variety . Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  4. Partridge, Kenneth (June 18, 2014). "Linkin Park's 'The Hunting Party': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard . Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  5. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. June 22, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2024.