If you know anything about me, you’ll know I love Linkin Park. I’ve been a huge fan since day one. Not to say I was a fan of them before they were called Linkin Park when they were called Hybrid Theory or Xero, but the first time I heard One Step Closer I was hooked. I rushed to my super old computer, dialed up America Online, booted up Napster and was ready to see what other songs I could find. Low and behold, there was a fresh debut album. I downloaded, burned the CD and popped it into my CD player stereo. I was a changed young man. The next day I was in Best Buy purchasing the actual CD and playing it loudly in my car the whole drive home and have been to this day. Since that time, the band has released seven studio albums, three live albums, two compilation albums, two remix albums, three soundtrack albums, 12 video albums, 10 extended plays, 25 singles, 20 promo singles, and 68 music videos (according to Wikipedia at least). And as of February 09, 2023, we’ve been treated to an additional unreleased track titled “Lost” that is being included on the upcoming 20th Anniversary of Meteora box set available on Linkin Park’s website.

With the release of this new song and the box set, we get more press for the remaining members of the band. Since Chester’s passing, they haven’t said much in the way of creating new music or touring. They did one final show as a tribute to Chester by inviting friends of the band to step into singer’s role and perform. This included some great Linkin Park classics and newer songs that fans hadn’t had the chance to see performed live. Now, Shinoda and the crew are getting asked about the chance for new music. They haven’t confirmed it, but again they have made steps towards that process which begins with getting them all in the same room together and that is what happened when it came to putting things together for this Meteora box set releasing in April.

Back to the topic of a new Linkin Park song. It’s bittersweet, right? I ache for new Linkin Park music, but hearing Chester’s voice does hit me harder every time I hear it now, especially when it’s a new song with such powerful lyrics. Lyrics that are written with such care like in the new song “Lost”. The story Mike and Chester tell with their lyrics is very personal and it’s universally relatable. We’ve all felt pain, we’ve all dealt with anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness, betrayal, paranoia. It’s all there in the songs. The songs aren’t meant to drive you to depression but to express that you’re not alone. You don’t have to go through it all by yourself. The sad story of Chester is that he appeared always so happy and fun when on stage, on camera or with his friends and family. He seemingly had found it all; Fame, fortune, success, a loving family, right? But depression is deep and no amount of money or fame can take it all away.

To many, Chester had one of the most powerful and beautiful voices in the history of modern music. Not only will his talent for singing be missed, but for relating to the masses with his words. He spoke the truth along with Mike Shinoda, writing about their lives and experiences. Take the music out of it and read some lyrics. There is pain there and we can all identify with that pain. The band was somehow able to imbue their music with these powerful feelings, instruments and led by Chester’s dynamic engine of a voice. As Mike Shinoda said, '“He was born to do this.”

So here we are. Die hard LP fans are getting a special treat with this release of fresh lyrics and music from what I feel to be one of the biggest bands of the century. From the second I heard Hybrid Theory, I made a choice to learn guitar and sing in a band. My roommate and I had dreams of what it would be like performing on the road. I have notebooks of songs and lyrics still with me to this day, writing while working various jobs in my life.

Fast forward to 2017. I never signed a record deal but I played a lot of shows with my best friends and it was a shining moment in my little life. It wasn’t until Chester passed that I realized I need help. That my depression isn’t something I’ll just pull myself out of like the generations before me would tell us to do. No, I needed to speak to someone and I did. I still talk to a professional and I am on some medicine, but I’m no longer as hopeless and alone as I had been at one time. I beg you, if you’re suffering, seek help. Talk to someone. There will always be someone there to listen and to help. Even if its a stranger like one of us through the Atomic Geekdom Twitter DM.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

If you or someone you need may be feeling depressed, hopeless, lost, alone or any of these things, here’s some information on how you can find help. Please speak with someone.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Includes information on finding your local crisis center.

Phone: 988

Website: http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org