Linkin Park ‘Friendly Fire’: A Detailed Review and Analysis

The multi-award-winning band Linkin Park has dropped the previously unreleased single “Friendly Fire” from their upcoming compilation album “Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023)”. Originally meant for the 2017 album “One More Light”, this track was a favourite of guitarist Brad Delson during the recording process.

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The song is a heartfelt ballad that showcases Chester Bennington’s softer vocal side, reminiscent of “Powerless” from “Living Things” and “Shadow of the Day” from “Minutes to Midnight”. While leaning more towards pop than rock, I’ll be generous and call it a pop-rock song. It surpasses half the tracks on its intended album in my opinion, making me wish it had made the cut.

Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (All rights are retained by Linkin Park)


The song’s strong musical accompaniment compliments the vocals, building with intensity as the song progresses, ensuring the lyrics resonate with listeners. The track focuses on the turmoil in relationships with lines such as “We’re pulling apart for no reason” and “Somehow forgot when they told me we hurt the ones we loved”. Every single word of this song holds weight and meaning and Bennington’s delivery is heartfelt making you truly feel the emotions behind the words. This I feel is his best feature and is a unique quality many other singers lack.


Despite my preference for their earlier alt-rock-rap style from albums such as “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora” this song still captivates me. Whilst the music video, which features previously unreleased footage of the band with Chester, adds a special touch to the overall experience of the song. The band’s other previously unreleased songs “Lost”, “Fighting Myself” and “More the Victim” are more to my taste, but at this point I feel like any new Linkin Park song is a blessing.


Linkin Park fans as well as fans of Bennington’s other bands, “Grey Daze” and “Dead by Sunrise”, are in for a treat with this song. While it’s not my favourite style from the band I still admire the effort and craft put into it. However, I can’t help but long for more presence of Mike Shinoda as I’ve always found the dynamic between the two vocalists to be the highlight of this band.
5/10

Got something to say ? Leave it as a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in this review belong to their respective owners and I or this website does not claim any right over them.

Review written by Fox Reviews Rock

Review edited by Cozzer

As always the song(s) in my reviews are added to my Spotify Playlist find out more about that here as well as on my Spotify Podcast find out more about that here .

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54 responses to “Linkin Park ‘Friendly Fire’: A Detailed Review and Analysis”

  1. dbjoi avatar

    Great review! I was immediately in love with this song when I heard it on Linkin Park’s IG thingy. I resonate with your review and take on the song.

    As a hippie dippie nerd, I think the timing of the release is exactly what the band, its listeners and people need right now though.

    We all became so disconnected in 2020 and the lines between friends, family, Allies, enemies, adversaries… We are all divided.

    I miss original Linkin Park. One of the best concerts I’ve been to! I’ve always heard different renditions of their music in my head, from my perspective of Life with my EXTREMELY eclectic taste in music.

    Love your stuff Fox! Thanks for sharing! 🦊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thanks very much! Its a brilliant song isnt it , but its just not my favourite style that they do.
      Its also Chesters birthday today so quite a cool time to do this review.
      Absolutely we are all divided but i feel that is slowly being reversed.
      I was lucky enough to see them at Download Festival doing a headline set , and it was one of my favourite performances ive been to.
      Thanks again , i appreciate your support so much 🙂 If you get chance please check out the podcast too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. dbjoi avatar

        I have a hard time with podcasts. It’s an ADHD thing. It’s why music works for me. I want to start one myself and don’t even want to hear myself talk that much let alone other people 😬😬😬 I’m kind of an asshole sometimes. We’re learning to be better and kinder day by day.

        I do see where we are coming together in some regards. I just feel like there are like 3 large groups coming together and that’s what makes me nervous. The divide between the groups coming together, if that makes sense?

        Happy birthday Chester!!!! Oh! Wonderful timing for your review as well!! Agreed!!

        Yes, I too love angry rock Linkin Park! Bleed it out is one of my favorites. Breaking the habit too! I could fan girl all day over their music! Much rather see them in concert and mosh it out though! 😂😜

        Have an awesome day!!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. foxreviewsrock avatar

          No worries ! I fully understand no drama here 🙂

          Absolutely get what you mean let’s just hope the integration isn’t as painful as we think

          Angry linkin park is my favourite too 🙂 you too!

          Liked by 1 person

          1. dbjoi avatar

            Haha pain is contextual. I took a nap when I got my thigh tatted…no numbing cream either. The integration will be painful for some. They’re called growing pains for a reason. Take an anti-inflammatory, put ice on it, take a nap and you’ll grow through the pain 😜🌻

            Liked by 1 person

  2. Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) – Redefining Crazy avatar

    […] Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) […]

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thanks for sharing my post on your blog!
      For anyone reading this please check my site out for all the latest reviews on rock and metal music 🙂

      Like

  3. Mumnonymous avatar

    Already listened. Loved this review. Most of the bands you review I know nothing about. But I do love the critical reviews. Very colourful. 👍

    Liked by 4 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thanks! 🙂 Thats alright about not knowing the bands , thats half of the point to bring new music to people 🙂 Im currently trying to give background information without boring people , hoping ive found the balance haha!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Mumnonymous avatar

        You’re doing great hon! What a novel idea! 👍👍👍

        Liked by 1 person

        1. foxreviewsrock avatar

          Thanks 😀 It does seem to be coming into place nicely 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  4. Resa avatar

    Pretty good song.
    I think your 5/10 rating is spot on.
    Not sure why, but autotune gives me a headache if I hear too much.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Yeah i agree , id rather bands didnt use it at all tbh

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Resa avatar
  5. Dawie avatar

    I seem to only want to listen too Meteora and Hybrid theory. I never got into the newer material.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thats a reasonable position to be in to be honest , however what i will say is that there is a couple of really great songs scattered in between the other albums 🙂 Maybe if you use spotify go through them and see the most listened to songs ? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dawie avatar

        I use spotify on a daily basis at work. Might make Linkin Park my day playlist for today. Also, Ive followed you on there as well. Some good podcast you have there.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. foxreviewsrock avatar

          Ah what a legend , thank you so much! 🙂 Yeah id recommend maybe this playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO47cwRq?si=0d06687b75e64a97

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Dawie avatar

            I am currently going through the full albums. Need to see what I missed all these years.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. foxreviewsrock avatar

              Sounds good to me! 🙂 Hope you find a few gems 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

  6. Taran avatar

    I have this and I love how they aged, particularly lyrically. It’s sad what happened, but the music lives on.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Music always lives on 🤘🙂🤘 but yes a terrible shame what happened

      Like

  7. rickvanmeijel avatar

    Oh look, another LP fan! An honest and well-written review, I very much agree with your thoughts 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thanks very much 🙂 it was hard to remove my love for the band and give it an honest score glad people can see that 🙂 Always a pleasure to hear from a fellow LP fan 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rickvanmeijel avatar

        Sure! 🙂 I see, it’s what I try as well when writing my thoughts on my blog. Have you done more LP reviews?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. foxreviewsrock avatar

          I haven’t yet , but i suspect there will be many more in the long run as they are one of my favourite bands 🙂 At the moment im attempting to go broad in terms of which bands i cover , before coming back and talking about the same ones. Granted a few more surprise singles might get my attention 😉

          Liked by 1 person

          1. rickvanmeijel avatar

            Cool, and I understand you want to cover many more artists in the meantime. I’ve heard rumors they might release QWERTY as the next single for the Papercuts album, but don’t take my word for it! 😀

            Liked by 1 person

            1. foxreviewsrock avatar

              Lets hope so 😀

              Liked by 1 person

  8. Johnathan Fontenot avatar

    Thanks for the post. I love Linkin Park and I really like this song!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) – Marotta Long Island avatar

    […] Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) […]

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Moongirl avatar

    Great review! I love this song. I different side to Linkin Park. And RIP Chester Bennington 😦 I’m always so deeply saddened by the loss of such talented artists.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thanks very much , yeah when we lose such talented artists its very sad , he died far far too young! Please check out my latest post if you get chance 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Moongirl avatar

    Will do! I think I just read it, lol!

    Like

  12. Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) – Guidshop avatar

    […] Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. […] by Linkin Park’s One More Light. Full lyrics here. After reading Fox Reviews Rock post on Friendly Fire, another song I love, I spent the day listening to Linkin Park. I’ve […]

    Liked by 2 people

  14. andreadurrheim avatar

    Wow! you review some of my favourite bands. I’m up for a follow!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Awesome so glad to hear that !

      Like

  15. da-AL avatar

    tx much for visiting my site. I love anything to do with books & would be thrilled if you’d write a guest blog post for my site, which is for anyone who enjoys writing, or books, and all the arts. If you think it might be fun or helpful to have my followers (who total about 10k across my various social media) meet you, here’s the link for general guidelines: https://wp.me/p6OZAy-1eQ – best, da-AL

    Like

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Im more than happy to do a guest post on your site if you think your viewers would enjoy it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. da-AL avatar

        Absolutely my viewers would enjoy meeting you and your guest blog post 😀 please email me if you have questions or when you’re ready. ContactdaAL@gmail.com

        Like

  16. sherrydafairy avatar
    sherrydafairy

    great review, thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. foxreviewsrock avatar

      Thank you very much , please check out my other reviews if you can 🙂

      Like

  17. Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) | Trancylvania avatar

    […] Linkin Park – Friendly Fire (Song Review) […]

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  18. Kaye avatar
    Kaye

    Really felt the emotions in this song. RIP Chester.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      Me too! Love Chester!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. writinstuff avatar

    This song is so unlike the Linkin Park I remember but your review compelled me to give it a second listen. It’s good and I appreciate the lyrics a bit more than the music itself, particularly “pulling the trigger in a useless war” as it’s such an apt way to talk about problems in relationships.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      Yeah , it think it’s worth remembering that the song was intended to be an unreleased b side forever. And I suspect it would have been if Chester was still with us

      Liked by 1 person

  20. NBevilaqua avatar

    That stretch of the few years during which we lost Chester, Scott Weiland, Chris Cornell, and, of course, Bowie were rough. There was so much music that I DIDN’T like around then that losing such genuine talents seemed particularly tragic, especially considering the circumstances under which the first three died.

    Thanks for sharing and discussing this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      Oh god that time was so damn rough and I’m still feeling the effects now !

      Liked by 1 person

  21. The Devil You Know avatar

    I am a late comer to Linkin Park fandom and in fact feel a little old to be rocking out so hard to them in the car so good thing I have tinted windows. Their music is sophisticated and heavily produced. Not the feel good tunes of the summer but I really like them!

    Like

  22. Curious Miss K avatar
    Curious Miss K

    Already had this on repeat – such a banger. Loved your take on it! I don’t know most of the bands you review but your this one is 🔥 and make me wanna check them out.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      I’m really glad you enjoyed this review! 🙂

      To be honest I think there is so much talent out there that people are not aware of. You’re not going to like all of the bands we showcase but im sure there is plenty you will like! 🙂

      Like

  23. What Was The Rock/Metal Album That Changed Your Perspective On Music? – Fox Reviews Rock avatar

    […] me it has to have been Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory. Up till the point that it was released I was already into rock music sure. […]

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  24. Download Festival 2026: Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses & Linkin Park Headline DLXXIII At Donington Park – Fox Reviews Rock avatar

    […] the main stage at Download Festival 2026 in unforgettable style will be Linkin Park. They will be returning to headline since the passing of Chester Bennington and reformation in 2024 […]

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