Released June 4, 2014 Length 3:44 | Recorded 2013–2014 | |
Genre Alternative metal, nu metal Label Warner Bros., Machine Shop Writer(s) Linkin Park, Daron Malakian | ||
"Rebellion" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was originally recorded by the band for their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, where it appears as the eighth track on the album. The song features Armenian-American multi-instrumentalist Daron Malakian from rock band System of a Down, who plays additional guitar on the track. The track was released as second promotional single from The Hunting Party on June 4, 2014 and was later released as the fourth official single from the album on October 13, 2014, and was included on American rock radio.
Contents
Composition
In a preview for the album by Rolling Stone, it was stated that "'Rebellion' uses a speedy riff and a jackhammer-fast drum line that splits the difference between that together charges towards a chorus with a message. In another preview for the album by AltWire, it has been described as "sonically resembling a Toxicity-era System of a Down track with Daron Malakian's signature guitar sound on full display, as he delivers a blisteringly fast sixteenth note guitar riff behind Mike Shinoda's sung lead vocals, breaking only momentarily for the chorus where Chester Bennington takes over the microphone to sing “we are the fortunate ones, imitations of rebellion”."/
Music video
Mike Shinoda said that they were collecting live footages to make a music video for Rebellion but no music video exists as of now. However, a lyric video was released on June 3, 2014. The video, in vein of the lyric video from their previous single "Wastelands", features simplistic and linear white on black text slides with occasional special effects added to the lyrics, such as the words shattering into pieces, like the word "Rebellion" in the video.
Reception
In a track-by-track review by Billboard, the song was given a positive response and explained as "After a chomping intro riff — maybe the gnarliest guitar part on the record — Linkin Park once again brandish their Euro-metal broadswords and get medieval on our asses...while the song speaks to the anger of being American and having nothing to really rebel against, the band plays with the urgency of insurgents." Sound and Motion Magazine cited the bridge as the song's highlight, and stated "With heavy guitar and drum line this track sounds similar to the sound that first brought Linkin Park into the limelight which should make many loyal fans ecstatic."