| "Keys to the Kingdom" | |
|---|---|
| Song byLinkin Park | |
| from the albumThe Hunting Party | |
| Released | June 13, 2014 |
| Recorded | 2013–2014 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:38 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter | Linkin Park |
| Producers | |
"Keys to the Kingdom" is a song by American rock bandLinkin Park from their sixth studio album,The Hunting Party. It is the album's opening track, and entered the UK Rock chart at number 33, although it was not released as a single. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalistMike Shinoda and lead guitaristBrad Delson. The song was not performed by the band during the album's accompanyingThe Hunting Party Tour, and would not see a live debut until theFrom Zero World Tour in 2024.
"Keys to the Kingdom" is explained in an early preview for the album as, "Right off the bat this track has an old-school punk vibe with a new twist. The hasty drums and explosive riffs [add] a hardcore element to it. VocalistChester Bennington unleashes melodies and the balance of Shinoda’s rap verses makes for a powerful combination. Although the band will be playing arenas on their forthcoming Carnivores tour, this song has an underground feel that would welcome them to a small, beat up venue inBrooklyn, N.Y."[1] The song continues its outro into the album's second track, "All for Nothing" featuringPage Hamilton ofHelmet.
"Keys to the Kingdom" was initially never performed live prior to Bennington's death in July 2017. During Shinoda'sManila concert of his solo Post Traumatic Tour in September 2019, Shinoda performed a snippet of "Keys to the Kingdom" during "Sorry for Now," marking the first time the song had been performed live in any capacity.[2]
Following Linkin Park's announced reformation in 2024 with new membersEmily Armstrong andColin Brittain, "Keys to the Kingdom" was performed live in full for the first time at the band's first concert of theFrom Zero World Tour at theKia Forum inInglewood, California on September 11, 2024. Armstrong, the band's new vocalist, took up lead vocals of the song.[3]
In a track-by-track review for the album, byBillboard's Kenneth Partridge highlighted Linkin Park's "back-to-basics approach",hardcore punk-styled introduction, and overallnu metal sound akin to their early releases.[4]
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[5] | 33 |
| Hybrid Theory |
|
|---|---|
| Reanimation | |
| Meteora |
|
| Collision Course | |
| Minutes to Midnight | |
| A Thousand Suns | |
| Living Things | |
| Recharged | |
| The Hunting Party | |
| One More Light | |
| Papercuts | |
| From Zero | |
| Featured songs | |
| Other songs | |
