I wonder if Linkin Park have an opinion on whether Warner should try to merge with EMI or takeover the Sanctuary Group. I can't help thinking their opinions would have some sway at the top of Warner Music because they remain one of the major's most bankable artists. New album 'Minutes To Midnight', as well as topping the UK album charts, has gone straight in at number one in the US shifting 622,000 units in week one, making it the fastest selling album so far this year. Although some albums scored US first week sales of a million+ in the early part of this decade, the 622,000 figure is very healthy for the current market, not far off one of Universal Music's most bankable artists, Jay-Z, who shifted 680,000 of his album 'Kingdom Come' in the US the first week of sale back in December.
Commenting on their chart topping success, Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson told reporters this week: "We're shocked and humbled by this extraordinary show of support. We invested ourselves entirely into the creation of this album, with the hope that this music would resonate with our fans as deeply as it does with us. We couldn't be more excited about today's news".