Before we start, lets get one thing stunningly clear. I absolutely fucking despise Nu-Metal. It's all pointless, passionless, dull noise, made by middle class, early 30's twats groomed down to every last tatoo by thier horrible, money driven record companies. Give me Shed Seven any day. But now, I find myself, sitting in my Common Room, listening to this.

Of all the Nu-Metal bands, I've always been unsure of Linkin Park. I think the most refreshing thing about them is the fact that their "Hybrid Theory" record contains not a single swearword. The allegations of manufacturing also intrigue me, as they seem like some giant record company made-Hearsay for Nu Metal. But let's face it, who gives a shit when they come up with records as good as this.

"In The End is the forth release from thier Hybrid Thoery album, and seems certain to become the first time Linkin Park break into Dr Foxs' Top Ten. It turns out to be a quite staggeringly beautiful, sublime record, a squillion miles away from the thuggery of Limp Bizkit or the soulless Papa Roach.

Amazingly, it contains a poignant little piano line, that positively enchants and bewitches. It never explodes into an unlistenable, Joe turn it down, noise. Because it doesn't need to prove itself. It's good enough on it's own.

And then, there's the still hilariously named Chester Bennington’s curiously intuitive lyrics. "Time is a valuable thing, Watch it count down to the end of the day, the Clock ticks life away". Now, don't get me wrong, that sure ain't Keats, it isn't even John Lennon, but that's a darn sight better than "Rollin, Rollin, Rollin" or some corny 'No one understands me' Marilyn Manson type lyrics. That's an actual comment of the helplessness of the individual. That's NOT too bad!

So, A surprisingly decent record. Where is my brother's Slipknot album?? I wonder if he'll swap my it for my Embrace albums.........