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Meteora

Meteora is the second studio album by American rock band Linkin Park, released on March 25, 2003, by Warner Bros.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Meteora is the second studio album by American rock band Linkin Park, released on March 25, 2003, by Warner Bros. Records. It followed the remix album Reanimation and became one of the band's most successful releases, with multi-million global sales and several hit singles. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Background

Meteora was developed after the success of Linkin Park’s debut album Hybrid Theory and the remix project Reanimation. The album title refers to the Meteora rock formation and monasteries in Greece.

Release and reception

The album was released on March 25, 2003, and reached number one on the Billboard 200. It received generally positive reviews, although some critics noted similarities to the band’s earlier work.

Singles and promotion

Linkin Park issued multiple singles from the album over an extended period, including several major radio and chart hits. "Numb" became one of the band’s best-known songs.

Legacy

Meteora became one of Linkin Park’s most commercially successful albums and remains a major release in early-2000s alternative rock and nu metal. A 20th anniversary edition was released in 2023.

Key facts

  • Meteora is Linkin Park’s second studio album.
  • It was released in 2003 through Warner Bros. Records.
  • It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
  • Its singles included "Somewhere I Belong," "Faint," "Numb," "From the Inside," and "Breaking the Habit."
  • The album has sold around 16 million copies worldwide.
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Canadian context

Meteora was widely sold and streamed in Canada as part of Linkin Park’s international success, and the band has had a significant audience among Canadian rock and alternative music listeners.

Frequently asked questions

What is Meteora?
Meteora is a 2003 studio album by Linkin Park and the band’s second full-length release.
When was Meteora released?
It was released on March 25, 2003.
What genre is Meteora?
It is generally classified as nu metal, alternative metal, alternative rock, and rap rock.
What are the best-known songs from Meteora?
Its best-known singles include "Somewhere I Belong," "Faint," "Numb," "From the Inside," and "Breaking the Habit."
How successful was Meteora commercially?
It was a major commercial success, debuting at number one in the United States and selling millions of copies worldwide.
Was there an anniversary edition?
Yes. Linkin Park released a 20th anniversary edition in 2023.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_(album)
    Supports: Release date, album position in Linkin Park discography, producers, sales figure, and singles overview.
  2. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/album/meteora/528435845
    Supports: Album identity, artist, release context, and genre framing.
  3. Last.fm — https://www.last.fm/music/Linkin+Park/Meteora/+wiki
    Supports: Release date and album identification.
  4. Genius — https://genius.com/albums/Linkin-park/Meteora-20th-anniversary-edition
    Supports: 2023 20th anniversary edition release.