Underground X: Demos
Linkin Park · 2010
34 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A raw collection of unreleased demos, blending early nu metal energy with introspective lyrics and experimental soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Unfortunate (unreleased demo 2002) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Coal — As one of the oldest demos included, 'Coal' offers a stark contrast to the polished sound of later albums, revealing the band's raw early influences.
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What We Don’t Know — 'What We Don’t Know' captures the angst and introspection typical of Linkin Park’s style while showcasing their evolving songwriting techniques.
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I Have Not Begun — This track combines heavy instrumentation with thoughtful lyrics, embodying the core themes present throughout Linkin Park’s discography.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This EP offers insight into Linkin Park's evolution but lacks the polish and cohesion of their main releases.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'What We Don’t Know' and 'I Have Not Begun' highlight the band's evolving lyrical themes, moving from angst-driven narratives to more introspective reflections.
- The inclusion of a remix ('What I’ve Done') among the demos creates a contrast between the experimental nature of earlier tracks and the later polished production.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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4/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with varying intensity
- raw sound capturing creative process
- short tracks for quick listening
- immersive experience of demos
- reflective moments of past ideas
Maybe skip if you
- seeking polished final versions
- prefer long, expansive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Offers fans a glimpse into the band's creative process, but not widely recognized outside dedicated circles.
- Themes
- creative evolution· 1990s alternative roots· transitional soundscapes
- Career context
- In 2010, Linkin Park was transitioning from their mainstream breakthrough with 'Minutes to Midnight' (2007) to the more experimental sounds of 'A Thousand Suns' (2010). 'Underground X: Demos' serves as a glimpse into their creative process during this pivotal period, showcasing a variety of unreleased tracks spanning nearly a decade. This release highlights their willingness to explore and evolve while staying connected to their roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Breaking Benjamin· Three Days Grace· Evanescence
Tracklist
- 1 Unfortunate (unreleased demo 2002) Start here 2:06
- 2 What We Don’t Know (unreleased demo 2007) 3:39
- 3 Oh No (Points of Authority demo) 2:05
- 4 I Have Not Begun (unreleased demo 2009) 3:06
- 5 Pale (unreleased demo 2006) 5:00
- 6 Pretend to Be (unreleased demo 2008) 3:55
- 7 Divided (unreleased demo 2005) 3:39
- 8 What I’ve Done (M. Shinoda remix) 3:40
- 9 Coal (unreleased demo 1997) 3:38
- 10 Halo (unreleased demo 2002) 3:42
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Fragile
Nine Inch Nails
Explores a similar blend of electronic and rock elements with an introspective, evolving sound.
Diamond Eyes
Deftones
Shares a raw emotional intensity and genre-blurring approach, capturing both heaviness and melody.
Hail to the Thief
Radiohead
Features experimental transitions and a focus on creative evolution, reflecting complex themes in sound.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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