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Linkin Park's Meteora album sells 16 million copies, certified 8× Platinum, with a 20th anniversary edition released in 2023, featuring a previously unheard
Meteora, the second studio album by American rock band Linkin Park, has sold around 16 million copies worldwide, making it the 8th best-selling album of the 21st century [2]. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 810,000 copies in its first week, and received generally positive reviews, although some critics felt the album's style was too similar to its predecessor.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Sales | 16 million copies |
| Certification | 8× Platinum |
| Release Date | March 25, 2003 |
| Chart Performance | Debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 |
The album was produced by the band alongside Don Gilmore and took almost a year to be recorded [2]. Linkin Park released singles from Meteora for over a year, including "Somewhere I Belong", "Faint", "Numb", "From the Inside", and "Breaking the Habit" [2]. The album's title, Meteora, is taken from the Greek Orthodox monasteries originally bearing the name [2]. In February 2023, it was announced that the band would release a 20th anniversary edition of Meteora on April 7, 2023, featuring a previously unheard outtake titled "Lost" [2].
The album's success can be attributed to the band's unique sound, which was developed during their Hybrid Theory World Tour and LP Underground Tour [2]. The band had written around eighty different demos during this time, and rough song ideas written then would find its way to the final album [2]. The album's writing and recording process was a collaborative effort, with lead singer Chester Bennington, Mike Shinoda, and Joe Hahn all contributing to the final product [2].
The significance of Meteora's sales lies in its enduring popularity, with the album remaining a staple of the nu-metal genre [2]. The album's success has also led to its inclusion in lists of the top 50 nu-metal albums of all time, with Rae Lemeshow-Barooshian of Loudwire ranking it sixth [2]. As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Meteora's legacy continues to impact the music world.
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Travelers can take a taxi from Kalambaka, use the local bus service, or join a half‑day tour that includes hotel pickup and guided visits to multiple monasteries.
Meteora was released on March 25, 2003, through Warner Bros. Records.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, sold over 810,000 copies in its first week, and has sold around 16 million copies worldwide.
Yes, the album is certified 8× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The instrumental track "Session" was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards.