What makes Heavy Is the Crown by Linkin Park notable?

“Heavy Is the Crown” was the anthem for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship, placing Linkin Park’s comeback in front of a global esports audience. Its companion track, “The Emptiness Machine,” reached the top of Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart. Released in September 2024, this two-track single paired Linkin Park’s new song with their comeback single, “The Emptiness Machine.” Both preceded From Zero, the band’s first studio album since 2017’s One More Light and their first with vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain.

How many songs are on Heavy Is the Crown?

Heavy Is the Crown has 2 tracks, running approximately 5 minutes.

Heavy Is the Crown

Linkin Park · 2024

5 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

Rap verses and serrated guitars give way to Emily Armstrong’s full-throated screams as Linkin Park compresses arena-sized tension into two tracks.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Heavy Is the Crown — Mike Shinoda’s clipped rap verses drive toward Armstrong’s extended scream, giving the esports anthem a fierce connection to the band’s early rap-rock sound.
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The Emptiness Machine — Shinoda opens in a restrained register before Armstrong takes over, making their vocal handoff the centerpiece of the band’s first single in its new lineup.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Foothills

Higher than 29% of albums we've rated

The single combines intense electronic rock with introspective lyrics, marking a notable evolution for the band.

What we noticed

The second track features layered vocal harmonies that create a haunting atmosphere, contrasting with the driving instrumentals.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks a significant return after a long hiatus, reflecting on grief and recovery.
Themes: modern isolation· digital connectivity· personal battles· expectation weight
Career context: Released in September 2024, this two-track single paired Linkin Park’s new song with their comeback single, “The Emptiness Machine.” Both preceded From Zero, the band’s first studio album since 2017’s One More Light and their first with vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain.
Stylistic neighbors: Breaking Benjamin· Three Days Grace· Evanescence