Meteora

Overview
Meteora is Linkin Park’s second studio album, released March 25, 2003. It extends the band’s signature blend of metal, hip‑hop, and electronics, with production by Don Gilmore alongside the group; the title nods to the Greek monasteries Meteora. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))

Recording History
- Recorded April–December 2002 at NRG Studios in Los Angeles. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))
- Produced by Don Gilmore and Linkin Park; mixing by Andy Wallace. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))
- The sessions took almost a year to complete, yielding a tightened yet expansive sophomore set. Singles included Somewhere I Belong, Faint, Numb, From the Inside, Breaking the Habit. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))
- The instrumental track Session appears in the album credits, highlighting the album’s experimental edge. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/meteora-mw0000020746))
- Meteora was part of a broader cross‑genre arc that connected with Jay‑Z on Collision Course, remixing several tracks from the album. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))

Chart Performance & Recognition
- Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with about 810,000 first‑week copies sold. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))
- Sold roughly 16 million copies worldwide; certified 8× Platinum by the RIAA. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))
- Reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and ranked highly in year‑end lists. ([officialcharts.com](https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/linkin-park-meteora/?utm_source=openai))
- The track Session earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29))

Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Meteora solidified Linkin Park’s iconic nu‑metal era, praised as a refined continuation of Hybrid Theory by critics. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/meteora-mw0000020746))
- Its material, notably Numb, became a focal point for cross‑genre remixes and mashups (e.g., Numb/Encore with Jay‑Z, which won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2006 Grammys). ([grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/video/48th-annual-grammy-award-best-rapsung-collaboration/?utm_source=openai))
- A 20th Anniversary Edition (Meteora20) was released with expanded content in 2023. ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/release/3483663a-35a4-4a63-a210-bf8362a9c030?utm_source=openai))
- Covers and samples of Meteora tracks continue to appear in modern release cycles and compilations. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collision_Course_%28EP%29?utm_source=openai))

Meteora remains a defining artifact of early‑2000s rock, celebrated for its sonic breadth and enduring songs.