After their phenomenal 15-million copy debut “Hybrid Theory”in 2000, which spawned hits such as “Crawling”(Grammy winner in 2001) and “In the End,” Linkin Park took their own sweet time before releasing “Meteora.” For the record, it took them a year and a half of writing songs and went through a lot of rewrites for certain songs.  While recording the album last year, the band whittled down 80 songs to 13, four of which are already certified hits: “Somewhere I Belong,” “Numbâ,” “Lying from You,” and “Breaking the Habit.” Vocalists Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda do the songwriting stuff most of the time, but the guys would like the rabid fans to know that the music they create, “just kind of flows and moves and goes through everybody in the band.”

What’s even more amazing to know is that Linkin Park is one of the few bands that doesn’t have obscenities in lyrics. For an American band, with intense and electrifying stage performances and into the loud side of rock and rap, it’s rare! Judge them on their physical appearance and you’ll think otherwise. But it surely isn’t the case. Listen to the records and no swearing could be found. Their joke is, they save it all for the live gigs.

A few interesting facts about the band:

 The video for “Breaking the Habit,” the fourth single from “Meteora,” was conceived by the band’s turntable man Joseph Hahn and directed by renowned anime illustrator and director Nakazawa, the artist behind the queer animated scene in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill, Vol. 1.”

 Linkin Park will chronicle their almost year-long “Meteora World Tour” in a coffee table book, available late this year in bookstores and through the band’s website. According to guitarist Brad Delson, the book will feature a closeup view of the band, on stage, messing around in the dressing room, and on the (tour) bus.

 Frontman Chester Bennington, a.k.a Chazy Chaz, doesn’t get nervous on stage. Playing in front of a crowd is pretty natural to him. And playing live is the best thing about being a musician.

After Manila, Linkin Park’s “Meteora” will come crashing next in Hong Kong (June 17), Thailand (June 20), and Singapore (June 22).

“Meteora World Tour”is presented by Smart Buddy, No Curfew Watch Stores, and Jag Jeans, and in cooperation with Citizen Eco-Drive Watches from No Curfew, Petron Treats,  Summit Natural Drinking Water, and Frenzy. Minor sponsors are Pony Footwear, Kenny Roger’s Roasters, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits, DHL, Thai Airways, East-West Productions, The Westin Philippine Plaza, Warner Music Philippines, media partner Manila Bulletin and MTV.