Outselling its closest competition more than 2:1, it’s the American rock titans’ first chart-topper with their new line-up, comprising Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain.
Prior to former lead singer Chester Bennington’s passing in 2017, Linkin Park secured three Official Number 1 albums: 2003’s Meteora, 2007’s Minutes to Midnight and 2012’s Living Things. The group’s Top 40 albums tally now stands at an impressive 14.
Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, Linkin Park’s Emily Armstrong says:
“Number 1 in the UK, that’s so insane. Thank you so much. Is there anything above Number 1? This is it!
“From Zero to Number 1! Thank you so f**king much, this is so surreal. It’s my first Number 1, so I’m freaking out! I’ll say it a thousand times, and it feels like it’s not enough to say ‘thank you,’ I can only say so many times how grateful I am.”
Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda adds:
“This is very cool. It’s such a big deal to all of us!”
From Zero also tops this week’s Official Vinyl Albums Chart; the biggest record of the past seven days on wax. Meanwhile, the group’s enduring 2024 hits collection Papercuts lifts one today (17).
They’re truly in their bag! Huge congratulations are in order for FLO, who today claim the highest-charting album by a British R&B girl group in 23 years with debut Access All Areas.
Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer are straight in at Number 3 with their first LP; matching a peak scored by Mis-Teeq with their debut Lickin’ On Both Sides back in 2001.
Reacting to the news, FLO tell Official Charts:
“We’re so excited! This is the best, most encouraging news.
“We’re so proud of ourselves and our collaborators. We’re extremely grateful for all the support we’ve received on our debut album and can’t wait for what’s to come next! P*ssy. C*nt. Slay.”
Well, quite.
Access All Areas also tops the Official Record Store Chart; the most-purchased physical album of the week in independent UK record shops.
K-pop juggernaut ATEEZ make UK chart history once again as they celebrate a fourth consecutive Top 10 album with GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2 (4). The South Korean eight-piece – Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho – previously enjoyed Top 10 success with 2023’s THE WORLD EP.2 : OUTLAW (10) and THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL (2) and 2024 release GOLDEN HOUR: Part.1 (4).
Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, ATEEZ say:
“Thank you so much for your amazing support! It’s such an honour to be in the Top 5 again on the Official Chart.
“We can’t wait to see you all in January on our TOWARDS THE LIGHT : WILL TO POWER Tour in London and Manchester. We love you, see you soon!”
Shawn Mendes scores a fifth UK Top 40 album, with latest collection Shawn (22) joining past works Handwritten (12), Illuminate (3), Shawn Mendes (3) and Wonder (12).
And finally, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a limited edition Zoetrope picture disc vinyl, Iron Maiden’s fifth studio LP Powerslave returns to the Top 40 for the first time in as many years, rebounding to Number 33. The record peaked at Number 2 on its 1984 release.
