10 Best Hard Rock Albums Of The 2000s

When nu metal was first starting to make the rounds in the late 90's, it was clear that this genre was not for the mainstream. With lyrics that dealt with incredibly disturbing topics and detuned guitars playing heavy chugging rhythms, there was no way this music would find its way onto the radio. Then again, life is strange sometimes.

Coming out of the club scene in LA, Linkin Park became one of the biggest overnight success stories in rock when they unleashed Hybrid Theory. The album was heavy for sure, but the band's setup of two singers made them a unique creation amongst their hard-edged peers. On one hand, there was the more introspective rapping from Mike Shinoda, and on the other Chester Bennington's searing rocker shout. This give-and-take scenario made for some fantastic singles like "In the End" and "One Step Closer," with lyrics that tackled the inner struggles that afflict anyone who has ever felt hurt.

As it turned out, the youth of America was finally ready for this heavy turn for music, which led to the record eventually being certified Diamond. Linkin Park had made their mark as a great alt-metal band, but the future seemed wide open now that they had conquered the mainstream single-handedly.