A Thousand Suns
by Linkin Park
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 511 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 380 out of 511
  2. Mixed: 68 out of 511
  3. Negative: 63 out of 511
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  1. Kostas_Spirou
    Aug 1, 2023
    7
    Very unique and interesting, I didn't appreciate it much at first but it definitely grew on me more and more over time.
  2. darthraptor82
    Jun 21, 2023
    10
    Venturing away from their rap-rock formula that thrust them into the limelight with Hybrid Theory, Meteora and Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park have embraced creativity on A Thousand Suns and its a gamble that pays off in a big way.
    Gone are the back and forth vocal tradeoffs between Shinoda and Bennington and in their place are carefully pieced together electronic rock songs with an    Venturing away from their rap-rock formula that thrust them into the limelight with Hybrid Theory, Meteora and Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park have embraced creativity on A Thousand Suns and its a gamble that pays off in a big way.
    Gone are the back and forth vocal tradeoffs between Shinoda and Bennington and in their place are carefully pieced together electronic rock songs with an overarching theme of brooding and impending destruction. A Thousand Suns of course refers to the description of the Manhattan Project and atomic bomb tests - the bombs being "brighter than a thousand suns" and there's an underlying unsettling feeling throughout. It's like we are listening to a musical adaptation of the tension, fear and anticipation during those atomic tests. There's an end of the world feel to songs like Blackout, Waiting For The End and The Catalyst and clever sampling makes the album feel like it could've been written by some musically gifted A.I in response to the events of the atomic bombs being dropped.
    I personally love this album because its different, it's not afraid to stand on its own and it excels in expressing dread. Its ambitious, experimental and a ride that you won't want to get off until it concludes. Chester's voice sounds amazing - especially on Waiting For The End and Iridescent - two of my now all-time favourite LP songs. Just the way these tracks build to a huge conclusion is testament to the group's song-writing prowess.
    I hope this album is remembered for many many years as the wonderful piece of art that it is - not just a band writing by the numbers but letting go of the safety bar and allowing themselves to express their creativity in a big big way.    … Expand
  3. Ridersofredsun
    May 26, 2023
    10
    It's one of the best concept albums in modern rock. The members of the band were not afraid of misunderstanding which could be. They have just made what they wanted to make. The album dives you into unbelievable atmosphere of the imminent apocalypse which depends on what people do and how. Harmonic combination of songs which are calm from despair and songs which are rigid from life'sIt's one of the best concept albums in modern rock. The members of the band were not afraid of misunderstanding which could be. They have just made what they wanted to make. The album dives you into unbelievable atmosphere of the imminent apocalypse which depends on what people do and how. Harmonic combination of songs which are calm from despair and songs which are rigid from life's reality. The best songs, as for me: Wretches and kings, The Catalyst, Burning in the skies.… Expand
  4. Crypticghost
    Dec 28, 2022
    10
    A great album with a great concept definitely one of there best and most misunderstood masterpieces
  5. BlueCobblestone
    Nov 18, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have never thought that Chester can rap. That is why you should listen this album.… Expand
  6. Mellowry
    Aug 20, 2021
    7
    The album has some bangers, like "Iridiscent", "Waiting For The End" is definitely one of my favorite LP Songs, though the album has wayy too many skits. I still get uncomfortable knowing that 'Meteora' had the Foreword on it, which is basically just the intro for 'Don't Stay' and here they need 2 skits together almost as long as one song to introduce their record and there is more to go.The album has some bangers, like "Iridiscent", "Waiting For The End" is definitely one of my favorite LP Songs, though the album has wayy too many skits. I still get uncomfortable knowing that 'Meteora' had the Foreword on it, which is basically just the intro for 'Don't Stay' and here they need 2 skits together almost as long as one song to introduce their record and there is more to go. It has bangers, it's definitely not bad as i would say, but i feel like a lot of those skits are useless and try to fill the album, which is kinda disappointing to me. Although i must say, this is quite a step up from "Minutes To MIdnight".… Expand
  7. Codeling
    Aug 7, 2021
    8
    Great underrated album. I liked the experimentation on this one.
    Best songs: Waiting for the End
    Worst songs: -
  8. shoma-
    Apr 25, 2021
    7
    Хороший альбом, мне больше всего запомнились "The Catalyst" и "Burning In The Skies"
  9. uvauvauva
    May 22, 2019
    10
    A masterpiece! Linkin Park experienced with electronic sounds and it payed off.
  10. Redlank
    May 18, 2019
    10
    One of the best album by Linkin Park. The band finally found their own sound and created a truly great album.
  11. MysticManiac
    Mar 10, 2018
    8
    Most of my criticisms of this album are of the unnecessary filler instrumentals which have no point to them. Empty Spaces? Come on, that track may as well be called "20 seconds of filler". But the full length tracks are pretty consistently good. Tracks like Wretches & Kings, Blackout, The Catalyst and Waiting for the End show us why Linkin Park is such a great band
  12. Decim
    May 20, 2017
    10
    This album made me almost cry.
    Linkin Park confirms to be one of the most interesting band of our times with this masterpiece, i loved songs like Burning In The skies, Waiting For The End, Robot Boy and Iridescent.
    When They Come For Me, Wretches And Kings and The Catalyst are revolutionary and the whole album should be heard once before you die.
  13. royben14
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    A big experimental change for LinkinPark that came out in their favor, with heavier sound and a big mix of genres in the album and each song for at self. musical capabilities of the band are pushed to their limits and the result is an amazing experience at first and a reliable blast for every other listing.
    A more artistic LinkinPark is what people asked and they got one of the most    A big experimental change for LinkinPark that came out in their favor, with heavier sound and a big mix of genres in the album and each song for at self. musical capabilities of the band are pushed to their limits and the result is an amazing experience at first and a reliable blast for every other listing.
    A more artistic LinkinPark is what people asked and they got one of the most bizarre albums to surface mainstream rock    … Expand
  14. weskergamer
    Mar 1, 2017
    10
    since meteora, a thousands suns is the best linkin park album. is not nu metal but is sooooooooooooo great. viva Waiting for the end, blackout, when they come from me,the catalyst,irisdecent,the mesenger, etc,etc
  15. blum
    Apr 16, 2016
    8
    It's an artistic album, I enjoyed and found it creative. There are a lot of overcoming songs which are great and catchy, "Waiting For The End" for example, is one of them.
  16. CharlieBetterIs
    Jan 11, 2016
    9
    A Thousand Suns é o álbum mais aclamado da crítica e o que tem um maior conceito do linkin Park, o conceito da guerra nuclear. Ele é maravilhoso, com músicas ótimas. É um dos meus três favoritos da banda. Só há uma coisa que ele peca: excesso de faixas curtas.

    Pontos Altos: Robot Boy, Blackout, The Catalyst
    Pontos Baixos: The Radiance, Jornada Del Muerto, Fallout
  17. Aijixe
    Sep 24, 2015
    10
    This is the experimentation that Linkin Park should have done instead of Minutes of Midnight. A Thousand Suns pushes the boundaries for the band, and it's made them stronger than ever.
  18. Tarcar42
    Oct 11, 2014
    10
    An incredibly ambitious and thoughtful album that revolves around nuclear disasters and self-destruction. Linkin Park challenged themselves to create this experimental piece, and have definitely challenged listeners around the world with it. Lyrically its dark and intense, and musically its different than anything you've ever heard. Ambient and electronic alt-rock meets tribal beats,An incredibly ambitious and thoughtful album that revolves around nuclear disasters and self-destruction. Linkin Park challenged themselves to create this experimental piece, and have definitely challenged listeners around the world with it. Lyrically its dark and intense, and musically its different than anything you've ever heard. Ambient and electronic alt-rock meets tribal beats, reggae rhythms and even metal screams in one of the greatest albums of all time.… Expand
  19. edvard
    Oct 14, 2013
    9
    Well this is definetaly LP's most controversial album for the fans becuase it throws away the HT and Meteora sound completely and comes in with a completely different. I think this album is really, really good! The Intros or 1 minute tracks is there to boost up the tracks they are connected to for an even more mind blowing experience. What holds this album back is "The Messenger", theWell this is definetaly LP's most controversial album for the fans becuase it throws away the HT and Meteora sound completely and comes in with a completely different. I think this album is really, really good! The Intros or 1 minute tracks is there to boost up the tracks they are connected to for an even more mind blowing experience. What holds this album back is "The Messenger", the closing track. Absolutely HORRIFIC track. The album's second to last song "The Catalyst" would be a perfec closer because it is so epic!! Another unnecesary track n my opinion would be "Robot Boy". It is some piano melody and a line repeated over and over again. It would be cool if it was like 2 minutes but this song is 4:29! Now over to the good songs:

    "Burning In The Skies" is the third track on the album which is connected to the first 2 songs and this is a calm song with chester singing through the whole song. Here is lines repeated again just like "Robot Boy" which I wasnt a huge fan of but the song keeps my interest.

    "When They Come For Me" is another excellent track. It is one of the few times Mike Shinoda really gets to shine along with his rap on

    "Wretches and Kings", his rapping on "Waiting For The End" and singing on "Iridiscent". "When They Come For Me" is very world-music influenced with native bongo drums or something and really cool singing by chester. Aaaahhaahhaaahaa!

    Jornada Del Muerto is the only track under 2:00 minutes i would want to touch on. It is definetly my favorite of the under 2:00 minute songs on this album if I choose one because it has a cool guitar solo or something and Mike's voice sounds really cool while he sings in a foreign language. It is a perfect transition to my second favorite song on this album "Waiting For The End" which is a close second to the lead single "The Catalyst".

    "Waiting For The End" is a really epic 4 minute song that for some reason reminds me a lot of M.I.A's classic: "Paper Planes". Rob's drumming is very good and I hear a cowbell sond or something frequently. Chester's singing is really good.f tones on it. What I think make's this such an outstanding track is the multilayered acapella's that you hear along with all the little details and effects in this song which makes this song quite a masterpiece. Also Mike's rap is really good.

    "Blackout" is the next song and I would say this is one of the most upbeat songs on this war influenced concept album. It has a really catchy melody that is played throughout the song and Chester is almost rapping in this song and it sounds really cool. Also Mr.Hahn's remix of the song that comes in the second half is really well done and is a blast to listen to and is one of the few times where Mr.Hahn really gets to shine and embrace his excellent scratcing and mixing skills.

    "Wretches and Kings" is the next song which starts of with another reference from some old recording. He talks about how the machines are talking over. The Main Riff by Brad with a lot of effects on it is really unique and makes this track really stand out and this song is also another time where Mr.Hahn really gets to shine on his turntable.

    "Iridiscent" is the next song I want to talk about. Featured in Transformers 3. It is basically a ballad with Mike and Chester singing back and forth. Not the most interesting on the album but is definetaly a very good song.

    "The Catalyst" is the last song I want to talk about. I remember back in 2010 when I heard this for the first time. At that time I had been listening to LP for about 2 years and I had no Idea they were gonna release a new album. I logged in to spotify and went to Linkin Park's discography page and I saw this song "The Catalyst". I listened to it and my mind was blown. This song was truly epic. It was'nt traditional 3:30 minute LP this was something completely different. I could not stop listening to it.

    Well this has been my review and I enjoyed writing it while listening through the whole album. Overall score: 9.4/10    … Expand
  20. Micox
    Sep 29, 2013
    9
    At the beginning of the listening of this album, I was a little divided good or bad album Good or bad come back I've found my answer this album is an experimental album, this album is a concept album, this album is the best (from the Linkin Park discography).

    All the tracks are worked, the writing is very high, the group had mix Rock with Experimental and it fuc*ing works ! So    At the beginning of the listening of this album, I was a little divided good or bad album Good or bad come back I've found my answer this album is an experimental album, this album is a concept album, this album is the best (from the Linkin Park discography).

    All the tracks are worked, the writing is very high, the group had mix Rock with Experimental and it fuc*ing works !
    So well appreciate this album at its first listening isn't really easy, maybe not possible But this album is probably the best Linkin Park album, I wish Linkin Park will return to this composition style and work, because even if I like A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES or LIVING THINGS well, the landing was difficult after the take-off which was A Thousand Suns.

    The masterpiece The Catalyst
    The best tracks Burning In The Skies, Blackout, When They Come For Me, Wretches And Kings
    The worse track Iridescent    … Expand
  21. BENNEB
    May 11, 2013
    7
    For now, Linkin Park is quite crap. Not for this album. Though quite far away from maintaing its experimental themes of apocalypse (which they are trying to talk about in the album), Linkin Park's shift has gone unnoticed. And by far this is their best album. Not fantastic but not so bad.
  22. forestville
    Mar 15, 2013
    8
    I thought you would hear another hard disk linkin park, but after Minutes To Midnight, I had high hopes to return with a hard sound and indeed were less hard now.
    Outrage?? Would you buy? Whatever your choice, you certainly will not be left indifferent. A high-level production, some very good songs and others who aspired to be, make this A Thousand Suns in a job that could have given more    I thought you would hear another hard disk linkin park, but after Minutes To Midnight, I had high hopes to return with a hard sound and indeed were less hard now.
    Outrage?? Would you buy? Whatever your choice, you certainly will not be left indifferent. A high-level production, some very good songs and others who aspired to be, make this A Thousand Suns in a job that could have given more of themselves. It's a shame to see that something is halfway, but it's what brings so much experimentation.    … Expand
  23. KoreyLalonde
    Jul 17, 2012
    8
    This is definitely the most organic of Linkin Park's albums. Highly experimental and fully of politically and socially charged lyrics, A Thousand Suns holds up well, but it seems to be lacking much of the heart of the albums before it. It's a good album, but not a very strong one.
  24. ocho858132
    Jun 25, 2012
    10
    Those giving this album a negative review sound ignorant. This is a very conceptual and artistic album. It's not meant to produce hit singles that stand alone while every other track is garbage, it's meant be listened to as a whole. Each song blends into the next. So particular songs may be considered "filler" or "un-linkin park" by themselves, but they all serve a purpose in making theThose giving this album a negative review sound ignorant. This is a very conceptual and artistic album. It's not meant to produce hit singles that stand alone while every other track is garbage, it's meant be listened to as a whole. Each song blends into the next. So particular songs may be considered "filler" or "un-linkin park" by themselves, but they all serve a purpose in making the album as a whole great. Burning in the Skies, Catalyst, Irridescent, and Waiting for the End are the main songs on the album and they are all fantastic. The other inbetween short tracks help build the mood of the album and lead into these climactic and brilliant songs. When looked at as a whole, this album is essentially one long, beautiful song. I challenge any "critic" to sit down and listen the the entire album as a whole, with it's beautifully haunting intro, iconic speeches brilliantly set to music, and epic full songs. Any linkin park fan, or plain old fan of truly good music for that matter, will recognize a masterpiece has been created here. One only needs to take the time.… Expand
  25. dinoslayer6
    Jun 21, 2012
    9
    93/100
    The best album to date(as in before Living Things). Linkin Park outdid themselves and the album is very good. You can't do Nu Metal forever and I very much enjoyed the album, its almost perfect, although The Catalyst will break your ears if your listening through headphones at a loud volume.
  26. Matticus
    Jun 18, 2012
    9
    I thought this album was fantastic. Really showed a new level for LP. It is a much more serious album and you should know that the album is one your going to want to listen to from start to finish. Otherwise your not going to get a good feel for it. This album is not just a bunch of 3-4 minute singles like most of the stuff before it. In summary this is Linkin Park + Depth. Well worthI thought this album was fantastic. Really showed a new level for LP. It is a much more serious album and you should know that the album is one your going to want to listen to from start to finish. Otherwise your not going to get a good feel for it. This album is not just a bunch of 3-4 minute singles like most of the stuff before it. In summary this is Linkin Park + Depth. Well worth a listen.… Expand
  27. DME
    Jun 7, 2012
    8
    A Thousand Suns is a completely original and creative album, but not without flaws. I really wish the interludes and bridges were combined with other tracks rather than standing alone. I also wish there was a couple more heavier songs. Overall, it's an excellent album. The best tracks are When They Come For Me, Blackout, Wretches and Kings, and Waiting For The End.
  28. RedAFX
    Apr 11, 2012
    7
    A moderately enjoyable album, yet very thin musically for Linkin Park's usual standards, gone is the almost iconic band they reforged back in 2007 with Minutes To Midnight, and in it's shadow emerges a pop electronic act who place filler above substance. With such impressive previous efforts, it's easy to mark this one down, but it has to be said that Linkin Park have a hit an all time lowA moderately enjoyable album, yet very thin musically for Linkin Park's usual standards, gone is the almost iconic band they reforged back in 2007 with Minutes To Midnight, and in it's shadow emerges a pop electronic act who place filler above substance. With such impressive previous efforts, it's easy to mark this one down, but it has to be said that Linkin Park have a hit an all time low with this lumpy attempt at a concept album.
    The band are very confused at this point in their career, with Mike Shinoda taking lead and the rest of the group running for cover at the final whistle, the creative differences in the band are stretching it across a bed of thorns, yet fanboys will continue to prop them instead of criticising a band who encourage such conduct.
    The album finds a couple of classics in it's midst however, Waiting For The End, which shows off Chester Bennington's amazing vocal capabilities and breathes new air with Dre-quality percussion, and The Catalyst, probably the most interesting and innovative track the band have produced so far in their career, and though there are classics, there are also plenty of interlude tracks which will bring you into the state of tiredness and frustration that Mike Shinoda faced trying to pull such a polarised band together.
    It has to be noted that any organic sound, live drums, guitars etc are almost non existent on A Thousand Suns, it is the album's digital prominence which seperates it from it's meaningful lyrics, which is a deep shame; coming from a band who built plenty of bridges between genres and sounds so early on in their career.
    I blame two things for the outcome of this album, Linkin Park's laziness and Warner Bros. greediness.    … Expand
  29. RazorEye
    Mar 10, 2012
    10
    A concept album is not easy to pull off. Linkin Park, a band I never had great respect for until this point, has probably pulled off not only a great album, but possibly one of the greatest and most beautiful concept albums ever made. I'm serious. It's up on the top of my list with Pink Floyd's The Wall and Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto.

    Everything that makes a great concept album, the setting,    A concept album is not easy to pull off. Linkin Park, a band I never had great respect for until this point, has probably pulled off not only a great album, but possibly one of the greatest and most beautiful concept albums ever made. I'm serious. It's up on the top of my list with Pink Floyd's The Wall and Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto.

    Everything that makes a great concept album, the setting, the theme, the way they are passed over in the music, emotion and flow of the album, plus more, are all there in this album.
    I have to admit, I've never liked Linkin Park much until I listened to this album. In My Opinion, Hybrid Theory and Meteora are decent. Minutes To Midnight was a disaster. A Thousand Suns is a masterpiece.
    It makes me sick inside that I've never heard such great songs like "The Catalyst", "Burning In the Skies", "Iridescent", Oh god, don't get me started on "Iridescent". That song is absolutely beautiful. One of the greatest songs ever written in the modern era.

    Tracks such as "Empty Spaces" and the absolute most powerful piece on the album, "Wisdom, Justice and Love", a haunting rendition of one of Martin Luther King's speeches, shouldn't be panned because they aren't actual songs. This is not your usual Rock album, people. This is a concept album. Get over it.

    Overall, this is one of the ages. One your kids should know about and embrace. A Thousand Suns, as I said before, Is a masterpiece. I honestly don't think Linkin Park can pull this off ever again. Hell, I don't think any artist currently can ever top this album for a long while.    … Expand
  30. Trickyeddy9
    Feb 29, 2012
    10
    this album is so emotional the song songs on this album are just so **** good its just amazing. linkin park is so god damn good its just amazing. my favorite song on this album has to be iridecent
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2010
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    With Rick Rubin co-producing, the band embraces not just synth-pop clamor but also dancehall-style chants and U2's grandiosity. It's the sound of Linkin Park feeling their way toward a new identity, but their skill for melody is obvious.
    Read full review
  2. BBC Music
    60
    They didn't want whatever their next album was to be predictable, and while A Thousand Suns might have emerged by accident compared to previous LPs, it's certainly a far from plays-to-perceived-type affair.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard.com
    75
    On its latest release, A Thousand Suns, the six-piece rock act truly breaks the habit of everything we've heard from it before.
    Read full review
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