The type of current metal band that attracts Mike Shinoda, according to himself

With a great creative presence of Mike ShinodaO LinkinPark became one of the biggest names in rock — and music as a whole — at the beginning of the 21st century. The American group started out being labeled “nu metal”, but broke genre barriers, something that only great artists can do.

Still, its members’ connection with metal is notorious. Which makes a question to Shinoda, a musician known for always being very up to date — even for his work as a producer — expected, about what he thinks of the genre these days.

In an interview with NME, the singer and multi-instrumentalist not only reflected on the proposed topic, but also revealed the type of metal band that attracts him at the moment. Initially, he stated:

“You already know how much I care about genres and music scenes like that. I don’t mind. I really don’t care! I just hear what I want to hear.”

Then, Mike said that when he stops and pays attention to debates related to musical style, he can notice a pattern in the metal groups he tends to like.

“When I think about it, I’m often more impressed or attracted to things that bypass common ways people do things. When they add something new to the conversation.”

He then remembered some younger artists and bands that he had mentioned earlier in the interview: PVRIS, Jean Dawson, Brakence It is Sleep Token. And he made a recommendation:

“I have a Spotify playlist, it’s a public playlist, called Breadcrumbs. She has a lot of things that I’m listening to.”

Finally, Shinoda answered the question presented in the title of this content.

“The metal material I like is usually because it is unusual in some way.”

Mike Shinoda and Sleep Token

Also during the interview, Mike Shinoda went into more depth about the connection with Sleep Token. Interestingly, he discovered that the reporter from NME responsible for the current interview — Liberty Dunworth — was the one who recommended the band to him on another occasion.

“Sleep Token, I’ve heard a lot about them… I think someone from the UK said, ‘have you heard that?’. […] Was it really you? And I teased you about it, remember? I said: ‘you always have a hot band and you say everyone is listening’. I thought: ‘why is everything always so fashionable with you guys?’. Then I heard it and thought, ‘oh, actually, I’ve heard this band.’ Now I know why everyone is talking about them, because their new album (‘Take Me Back to Eden’) is really adventurous. It’s really weird for me, but in the best way.”