Artists

Spewing forth from the nu-metal movement that also unearthed the likes of Limp Bizkit and Korn at the turn of the century, this cathartic Californian five-piece have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, grabbed a couple of Grammy awards and boast one of the most die-hard fanbases known to modern music. Smarter than Limp Bizkit's fratboy rock and less disturbed than Korn's eerie psycho-metal, Linkin Park's music has also proved the most enduring a decade on, with songs like 'One Step Closer', 'Numb', 'In the End' and 'What I've Done' becoming anthems for millions of disaffected youth around the world. While their first three albums cemented their world-famous formula (heavy metal + hip hop + aggressive riffs + therapy=ROCK!), this year's A Thousand Suns record has thrown the blackboard out the window to embrace a greater emphasis on electronic sounds and Nine Inch Nails-style experimentation. Embodied in the cyborg battle cry of lead single 'The Catalyst', it's a bold departure for a group who could have churned the same old sound and sold millions and it's one that's split their fanbase down the centre. Essential evolution or ill-fated mis-step? With Linkin Park touring Australia this December, maybe the only way to truly decide will be in the moshpit.