Isn't it funny what a difference a couple of years can make? When Chester Bennington and the rest of the Linkin Parkies last roamed the earth in their full pomp, Green Day were all washed up, My Chemical Romance were an up-and-coming band with a substance-addled lead singer, and Charlie Simpson was still in Busted. Now EVERYTHING is different...

Not that you'd know it from listening to this. On the face of it, this is the same self-obsessed, mirror-staring, FEEL-MY-PAIN shouty nonsense as always, only with a slight Evenescence goth-sheen to it. Compared to the wit and drama of MCR, the camp posturing of Fall Out Boy or the righteous anger of Green Day, it seems a bit lost. A bit five years ago.

And it's not the nicest thing in the world to admit that you're not that interested in hearing someone scream their worst feelings about themselves into some kind of massive black musical void. I mean, you don't criticise car-crash victims for making the pavement look untidy, do you? Clearly Chester has some big nasty emotional issues that he wishes to expel, and hopefully anyone who's in a similar state will hear him howling and feel some kinship.

So, shall we just say that while I appreciate that this is clearly something Linkin Park feel they have to do, some listeners may be left feeling like eavesdroppers at a meeting of Self-Haters Anonymous - The Musical.

Oh look! There's Robbie Williams!

Download: Out now

CD Released: April 16th

linkinpark.com

(Fraser McAlpine)