Linkin Park have repeatedly kept missing the mark while searching for their musical foothold since 2000’s Meteora. Now the nu metal rap rockers return with Living Things, which is undeniably the band’s most powerful and best effort since ruling the charts with the breakthrough success of Hybrid Theory. Co-produced by Rick Rubin and Mike Shinoda, Living Things is the abstergent musical submission which bridges the gap between Linkin Park’s musical past and present. From the opening rap refrains of “Lost In the Echo,” it’s immediately apparent Linkin Park have refocused their songwriting efforts and at long last delivered a rock-hard album, which fulfills the looming promise of lead single “Burn It Down.” Chester Bennington’s vocals and Shinoda’s rapping have never sounded stronger. The wait is finally over for Linkin Park’s legion of devotees who’ve been holding their breath for the band to deliver another album that comes close to Hybrid Theory.