We’ve been lucky enough to have worked with, and been involved in, a number of Linkin Park projects over the years. Both while some of us were at Warner Bros Records, or Warner Music Group and most recently with the work we did with Pozzoli. We were lucky enough to spend time with the band members over the years, and then sadly, to be in the LA office that terrible day we lost Chester.
At Sound Effects, we often talk about the need to deliver exceptional deluxe products that reward and maintain that valuable Superfan relationship. So, that in mind we thought we’d share this amazing deluxe boxset from last year.
Warner Records and the band worked with Pozzoli to create this immense and lavishly expanded Super Deluxe Box Set and released in April 2023, to mark the albums 20th Anniversary.
On its original release Meteora went straight in at number one on the Billboard 200 going on to sell over 16 million copies globally as well as being certified multi-platinum, platinum, or gold in 15 countries.
The band and label went above and beyond for this re-release, plundering their archives to uncover a veritable treasure trove of material from across the 12-month period it took to record the album. The project team painstakingly pieced together an exhaustive collection of demos, live recordings and previously unreleased rarities & memorabilia.
Critics almost unanimously agreed that Meteroa20 was a ‘must-have’ for the superfan due to its comprehensive gathering of Meteora era material into one package, with 89 tracks spread over five vinyl LPs, four CDs and three DVDs.
““As collector’s editions go, it’s difficult to think of any in recent memory that have been so concise and lovingly crafted, making this a must buy for hardcore Linkin Park fans everywhere.””
Yet perhaps what truly super-serves the superfan and generated the greatest expectation in the release of this deluxe box was undoubtedly the promise of ‘new music’ featuring the late Chester Bennington who we sadly lost in 2017.
Three songs: Halo, Unfortunate and Lost have never been heard before and are included in this anniversary release. These are not simply rough studio demos, thrown in to the box, but tracks mixed and remastered in the same loving way the original album has been.
Fans will no doubt debate why these three didn't make the cut for the original release back in 2003.
The treasures in this massive super deluxe don’t stop there. The box contains two full live concert albums, first a previously unreleased show from Nottingham 2003, and also the band’s celebrated Live in Texas release, which has never previously been made available on vinyl. Each show is spread over 2 LP’s each.
The three DVD’s are crammed with further concert footage and three documentaries: “The Making of Meteora,” “The Art of Meteora,” and “Work In Progress.” The 34 min “Making of…” was shot at the time and documents the creation of Meteora and serves as an insightful snapshot of the band at that point in time.
“The Art of Meteora” expands on the album’s artwork as well as the ‘Meteora wall’, featured on the poster that comes with the Super Deluxe edition.
Finally, at just over 60mins running time, “Work In Progress” covers more of the recording process, a photo shoot for the album, behind the scenes film from music videos and footage from the tours during this era. All of which provide a very personal and honest insight of the band members.
If all that wasn’t already enough, this super deluxe includes a 40-page book, a 36” x 24” poster of the Meteora wall mentioned above, a litho created by Delta (the street artist featured on the album’s cover), a retro sticker sheet, a Linkin Park logo stencil, and a hi-res digital download card. All elements have been collated and produced with meticulous care and attention to detail.
To quote one critic “As collector’s editions go, it’s difficult to think of any in recent memory that have been so concise and lovingly crafted, making this a must buy for hardcore Linkin Park fans everywhere.”
That's it for now, but next time...Kate Bush.
Best
Philip