Comic-Con 2014: Linkin Park Headlines First Ever mtvU Fandom Awards, MTV Fan Fest

Linkin Park and MTV are making headlines, teaming up for this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in anticipation of The Hunting Party, their latest album release.

The late 90’s electronically-charged rap-rockers already started making waves on the internet with buzz surrounding a brand new album and corresponding video game. As reported by Inquisitr, the video game, titled Linkin Park Recharged — Wastelands will try to promote environmental awareness alongside The Hunting Party.

The Grammy-winning rock band have also announced a team-up with MTV at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con where they will headline two brand new events: the mtvU Fandom Awards and MTV Fan Fest.

According to MTV News, Linkin Park will be a major part of this two-day event:

“Grammy-winning rock band Linkin Park will headline the first ever mtvU Fandom Awards and MTV Fan Fest, both of which will be held on Thursday, July 24, at Petco Park during San Diego’s Comic-Con. Then on Sunday, July 27, at 8 p.m., on the final day of Comic-Con, MTV and mtvU will air the 60-minute mtvU Fandom Awards special, showcasing the musical performances from the Linkin Park-headlined show, and honoring all of the fans whose passion have swept across the globe, stemming out of Comic-Con.”

Fandom Awards executive producer Ryan Kroft had this to say about Linkin Park’s involvement in the uniquely unorthodox show:

“The mtvU Fandom Awards will reinvent the traditional award show format. In addition to handing out trophies, we will recognize the achievements of fans and their favorite obsessions with special surprises and experiences. It’s the perfect event to reward the fans at Comic-Con, the epicenter of all fandoms.”

Meanwhile, the group debuted a new song off The Hunting Party on MTV today. Title “Final Masquerade,” the song can be streamed off Linkin Park’s band page on MTV.com.

Mike Shinoda spoke to MTV about his influences in recording the new studio tracks:

“I made some ‘alternative pop’ demos that sounded like they would fit in with what radio is currently playing. But then I came across a blog piece entitled ‘Rock Sucks Right Now And It’s Really Depressing.’ It got me thinking. I ended up writing a response to it, and realized that what I had been working on wasn’t really what I wanted to be making.”

The Hunting Party will be available for purchase in stores on Tuesday, June 13th. Comic-Con, featuring Linkin Park and MTV, will take place July 23rd-27th in San Diego, CA.

[Linkin Park image courtesy MTV.com]