Rap-metal hybrid Linkin Park took no prisoners the night the group came to the prestigious Roxy nightclub in Boston's downtown theater district. With deafening screams but controlled tempers, the band proved that the best sounds in the rap/rock genre don't have to be emitted in anger. Renowned for the lack of profanity on its 2000 debut LP, Hybrid Theory, Linkin Park has repeatedly impressed audiences with its well-crafted blend of rap, rock, heavy metal, and break-beat. The outfit had come to New England as part of the annual NEMO music showcase—a multi-faceted event corresponding with the Boston Music Awards, which features more than 200 new bands and solo artists from around the world performing in 20 of the area's best clubs. The Roxy was chosen, in part, for its elegant interior and superior reputation. The 20-something crowd soon filled the dance floor as well as the gold-crested, wrap-around balcony spanning three of the club's seven bars. The bars mattered little to most of the audience, however, because Linkin Park's fans are primarily of the under-21 demographic. Following heavy sets by Chicago's Audio ID and local hard-hitters Nullset (formerly Gangsta Bitch Barbie), all five members of Linkin Park took to the stage, immediately exploding into "With You." By this time, the crowd was fully charged and quickly took advantage of the multicolored light clusters hanging down from the main lighting grid like metal vines. Various audience members grabbed hold of the lights and swung back and forth over the crowd before being yanked down by angry tuxedo-clad bouncers. After playing new single "Crawling" and the scream-filled "By Myself," lead vocalist Chester Bennington took a moment to greet the crowd. "How the f**k are you?" he yelled, momentarily forgetting his band's ability to communicate without cursing. "What's up Boston?" chimed in lead MC Mike Shinoda. This marked the beginning of a fairly interactive performance. As Bennington and Shinoda rallied back and forth between singing and rapping, adding force to the already sizable mosh pit, they also took turns climbing the mountainously stacked speakers. During "One Step Closer," Bennington took a dive into the crowd and proceeded to surf along on his back to the delight of helpful fans. Arguably, the highlight of the evening took place during the band's performance of "Forgotten," during which Shinoda slowed the pace to teach audience members a sample line: "Now you got me caught in the act/you bring the thought back!" The crowd chanted along with Shinoda, building momentum with each repetition, until Bennington decided to climb up the side of the balcony and shimmy across the outside rail until he was just above the cheering crowd. "Hey Chester! What are you doing?" asked Shinoda. "I'm gonna jump into the crowd! But you guys better f**king catch me, OK?" Chester yelled back. As the remaining members of Linkin Park jumped back into the end of "Forgotten," Chester fell into the ecstatic arms of fans thankful to have chosen that spot on the dance floor. That evening, most people left with ringing ears and adrenaline hangovers—the true measure of a great rock concert. Linkin Park was certainly a welcome addition to the NEMO showcase this year, leaving Bostonians anxious to see who may arrive in 2002.

by Johanna Ravich