American nu-metal dons Linkin Park have issued a stunning boast ahead of this weekend’s Sonisphere festival, claiming that they aim to become the best band on the planet.
Nu metal will never get old! It’s very name sees to that. The genre that time (and most music fans) forgot, it is now almost ten years since the likes of Limp Bizkit topped the charts and adolescent youths started turning their red baseball caps backwards.
Yet there are signs of a revival. Limp Bizkit recently played a sensational comeback show in Latvia, the band’s first live performance in some time. Joining them on the nu metal revival kick are Linkin Park who are set to headline this summer’s Sonisphere festival.
Sonisphere is one of British rock’s premiere events. Held in Knebworth, the event will boast performances from Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Mastodon.
However in a new interview Linkin Park has claimed that they want to blow everyone else off the stage, and establish their reputation as the world’s premiere live band. Asked who they see as competition, singer Chester Bennington told the NME that he feels Muse are currently the band to beat in the live arena.
“They’re one of the best – if not the best – live performing bands in the world at the moment,” he said about Muse, adding “We need to fucking kick some ass.”
The frontman also singled out Metallica as potential competition. “I think those kind of bands elevate you as a player. You either need to shoot up and show up or you need to put your tail between your legs and hope you get through it.”
Sonisphere is held in Knebworth, one of the true crucibles of British rock music. In the past, the site has held sensational shows by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Queen, Oasis and of course Robbie Williams.
“There are definitely shows that either make or break you. And I do think (Sonisphere) could be one of those shows,” he revealed.
“I know that it’s (Knebworth) a legendary venue where legendary acts have played, from Zeppelin to Queen and many, many more. To perform there means you better show up with your kickass pants on.”
Linkin Park are set to record their new album with Rick Rubin. The band last released new material with 2007’s ‘Minutes To Midnight’ set.
