Hybrid Theory or Meteora ? The debate over which is the best Linkin Park is an old one and remains without a winner. This time, it was the members of Grey Daze Chester Bennington 's first band , who debated this question.
Sean Dowdell and Cris Hodges participated in a radio program where they championed their respective favorites. Dowdell was already the drummer for Grey Daze when Chester was the vocalist, and Hodges took over vocals for live shows afterward, also playing with the Linkin Park tribute band, In The End .
For Sean Dowdell, the clear answer is Meteora (2003) (transcription via Loudwire ). “The lyrics are much better. I think the first album was great and I’m proud of the guys for what they did. But I think the first one was an experiment, an album to see how they played together, and they created something incredible. But the second album was the final product that goes on the restaurant menu, so to speak. The writing is much better on album 2. It’s incomparable for me.”
Chris Hodges has already expressed his preference for Linkin Park's debut album. "I have an emotional attachment to Hybrid Theory because it was the first time I heard something like it. I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing the first time I listened to the album. I think that ends up influencing me," he says.
When asked about his favorite song, Dowdell mentioned “Lying from You” and “Hit the Floor,” both from Meteora . “I remember going on tour with Chester sometimes and I always hoped for that song if it was on the setlist. I loved watching them play that song,” he recalled.
In June 2022, Grey Daze released the album The Phoenix , featuring vocals recorded by Chester Bennington before his death in June 2017.
