Is Linkin Park Metal or Rock?
With the recent return of Linkin Park, now featuring new singer Emily Armstrong, interest in the band has surged once again. Many newer fans are just beginning to discover and explore this iconic group, and as they dive into both the latest album and older releases, they quickly notice the band’s diverse styles.
This often raises a common question: What genre is Linkin Park? Is Linkin Park metal or rock? The answer isn’t straightforward, as the band’s music changed significantly over the years. The simple answer is this:
Early Linkin Park was unmistakably an alternative metal band, with their first two albums becoming iconic in nu-metal genre. After the first two albums Linkin Park became more of an alternative rock group, adding and blended styles like pop, rap, and electronic rock into their music.
Let me show you exactly what I mean with examples from their own songs.
Linkin Park’s Music Genre
Linkin Park’s music goes beyond a single genre. The band mixed different styles and influences to create their own signature vibe and sound. In the beginning they made nu-metal music, with strong guitar riffs, frequent rap verses, heavy lyrics, and DJ effects. Their albums Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteora (2003) are among the best in nu metal genre, even though the remembers of the group tried to distant themselves from that style.
As time went on their sound changed. Albums like A Thousand Suns (2010) and One More Light (2017) leaned more toward pop-rock and electronic music. Because their work had so many various pieces from other genres it’s hard to label them with something definitive.
But if you’re asking – is Linkin Park metal? The answer is – Yes, they did create alternative metal music (nu mental, to be specific) in their first albums. And they are also rock, as their “middle” albums have plenty of alternative rock songs.
The Difference Between Rock and Metal
Some of the confusion around trying to define what genre a band belongs to often comes from people not understanding the difference between Rock and Metal. Mostly because these two genres share a lot of similarities. But they’re not the same.
Rock is a broad genre with a huge range of sounds. For example there are bands like bands like The Rolling Stones, Queen, Aerosmith, who are considered to be classic rock artists. And there are modern bands like Shinedown, 3 Doors Down who are also rock groups, and yet they sound very different.
In general rock tends to focus on catchy melodies, and more straightforward lyrics. Metal, on the other hand, is usually heavier and more intense. The lyrics and vocals are more aggressive, guitars are more distorted. Metal has tons of sub-genres like thrash, death metal, doom, gothic, nu metal.
For me, it’s the mood that often separates these genres. Metal usually leans into darker, heavier themes. Rock tends to lean into lighter energies. Don’t get me wrong, rock has enough of serious, loaded topics, but metal just comes with an additional darker tone. In the end, both genres overlap in some areas, but each has its own distinct vibe.
Examples of Linkin Park Rock Songs
Linkin Park’s rock side is obvious in tracks like “Shadow of the Day,” “Leave Out All the Rest,” and “What I’ve Done”. These songs focus on melody and a softer, more polished sound. Have a listen:
If you listen to the latest album featuring Emily as the new singer, there are some clear rock sounding songs. Like “Over Each Other”
Examples of Linkin Park Metal Songs

If you’re interested in Link Park’s heavier stuff, check out tracks like “One Step Closer,” “Don’t Stay,” and “Given Up.” These are amazing nu-metal songs, with aggressive riffs, intense vocals, and raw energy – perfect examples of the darker side of Linkin Park.
LP Best Songs
If you want to enjoy the band’s best songs, I have a playlist ready. These are the TOP 10 Linkin Park greatest songs:
Conclusion
So, is Linkin Park metal or rock? The answer is both. Linkin Park is definitely a metal band because their early albums had clearly alternative metal (nu-metal) sound. At the same time, Linkin Park is also a rock band, since their later releases had distinctive rock sound.