Misplaced Pages

"Heavy Is the Crown" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. It was released on September 24, 2024, as the second single from the band's eighth studio album From Zero. The song serves as the anthem for Riot Games' 2024 League of Legends World Championship. A version of the song with newly-recorded vocals by Armstrong and Shinoda appears in the soundtrack for the second season of Arcane.

Composition

Stylistically, "Heavy is the Crown" is described as a nu metal and rap rock song. Emily Armstrong's vocals are compared to the late Chester Bennington's by Emmy Mack of Music Feeds, who stated "It's actually really easy to imagine Chester singing this one", and described the chorus as "gritty".

Release

"Heavy Is the Crown" is the second song released by the band since their return with new vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, following a hiatus that lasted since 2017 due to the death of former vocalist Chester Bennington. First performed live on September 22, 2024, during a performance at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany, during the From Zero World Tour, the track was released as the second single from their upcoming eighth studio album, From Zero, on September 24, 2024. It was accompanied by a music video themed after Riot Games' video game League of Legends, serving as the theme song for its 2024 World Championship. The band would also perform the song during the opening ceremony for the grand finals, held at The O2 Arena on 2 November. A version of the song, as produced by Mike Shinoda and Alex Seaver of Mako, also appeared on the soundtrack for the second season of the television series Arcane.

Reception

Gregory Adams of Revolver magazine wrote: "Fueled by hungrily melodic guitar hooks and a propulsive and bouncy, Meteora-esque beat, bursts out the gate with a classic Mike Shinoda rap. Armstrong recalls late vocalist Chester Bennington’s rasp, while also bringing some big screams of her own."

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Linkin Park

• Emily Armstrong – vocals, composition
• Colin Brittain – drums, composition, co-production
• Brad Delson – guitars, backing vocals, composition, co-production
• Dave "Phoenix" Farrell – bass, backing vocals, composition
• Joe Hahn – samples, programming, backing vocals, composition
• Mike Shinoda – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar, composition, production, record engineering

Additional personnel

• Mike Elizondo – additional production, composition
• Rich Costey – mixing
• Emerson Mancini – mastering
• Ethan Mates – record engineering
• Jeff Citron – assistant mixing

Charts

Certifications

References

1. Rothe, Dominik (September 24, 2024). "Linkin Park zeigen "Heavy Is The Crown"-Video". Metal.de (in German). Retrieved September 27, 2024.
2. ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 24, 2024). "Linkin Park Drop Epic League of Legends World Championship Anthem 'Heavy Is the Crown': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
3. Mack, Emmy (September 26, 2024). "Linkin Park Unleash Second Single Of Their New Era, 'Heavy Is The Crown'". Music Feeds. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
4. Aswad, Jem (September 24, 2024). "Linkin Park Drop New Song 'Heavy Is the Crown,' Add Tour Dates". Variety. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
5. Schaffner, Lauryn (September 24, 2024). "Linkin Park Debut Animated 'Heavy Is the Crown' Video for Video Game Championship". Loudwire. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
6. Adams, Gregory (September 23, 2024). "See LINKIN PARK debut new song "Heavy Is the Crown" in Germany". Revolver. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
7. Aswad, Jem (September 24, 2024). "Linkin Park Drop New Song 'Heavy Is the Crown,' Add Tour Dates". Variety. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
8. Schaffner, Lauryn (September 24, 2024). "Linkin Park Debut Animated 'Heavy Is the Crown' Video for Video Game Championship". Loudwire. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
9. Down, Arron (September 29, 2024). "League of Legends Worlds 2024 anthem video is a banger with an identity crisis". PCGamesN. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
10. Adams, Gregory (September 24, 2024). "Hear LINKIN PARK's new 'League of Legends' anthem "Heavy Is the Crown"". Revolver. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
11. Carter, Emily (September 27, 2024). "Linkin Park unleash new single Heavy Is The Crown, announce more 2024 shows". Kerrang!. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
12. "Heavy Is The Crown music video sparks big debate among fans". One Esports. September 25, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
13. Arcane (September 25, 2024). "Heavy is the..." X (Formerly known as Twitter). Retrieved September 27, 2024.
14. Adams, Gregory (September 27, 2024). "6 best new songs right now: 9/27/24". Revolver. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
15. "Credits/Heavy Is the Crown/Linkin Park". Tidal. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
16. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 7 October 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1805. Australian Recording Industry Association. October 7, 2024. p. 4.
17. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
18. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
19. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
20. "Linkin Park Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
21. "Linkin Park Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
22. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 40. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
23. "Linkin Park — Heavy Is the Crown". TopHit. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
24. "Linkin Park: Heavy Is the Crown" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
25. "Top Singles (Week 40, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
26. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
27. "Linkin Park Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
28. "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 40/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. October 9, 2024. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
29. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
30. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
31. "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 47" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
32. "Download Songs [Released on 2024/10/02]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
33. "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of October 9, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved October 9, 2024.
34. "Straumēšanas TOP 2024 – 40. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 40] (in Latvian). LaIPA. October 14, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
35. "2024 40-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
36. "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Oct 24, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
37. "Linkin Park Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
38. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
39. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
40. "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 27.09.2024–03.10.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
41. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
42. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 40. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
43. "BGM Chart – Week 39 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 3, 2024.
44. "Download Chart – Week 39 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 3, 2024.
45. "Top 100 Songs – Week 40, 2024". El Portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
46. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 40". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
47. "Linkin Park – Heavy Is the Crown". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
48. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
49. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
50. "Linkin Park Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
51. "Linkin Park Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
52. "Linkin Park Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
53. "CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 10/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
54. "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: November 2024". TopHit. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
55. "SK – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 10/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
56. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2024". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved January 3, 2025.
57. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
58. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2024". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved December 30, 2024.
59. "Year-End Charts: Hot Hard Rock Songs (2024)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
60. "Canadian single certifications – Linkin Park – Heavy is the Crown". Music Canada. Retrieved December 5, 2024.

v t e League of Legends
Riot Games, Tencent, Esports
World Championship	2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (finals) 2020 2021 2022 (finals) 2023 2024 (finals) 2025
Mid-Season Invitational	2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
First Stand	2025
Regional leagues	Current South Korea (LCK) China (LPL) Americas (LTA) EMEA (LEC) Asia-Pacific (LCP) PCS Japan (LJL) Vietnam (VCS) Former Challenger Series CIS (LCL) Americas LCS CBLoL LLA Asia-Pacific GPL LCO LMS LST OPL
Other tournaments	All-Star Asian Games 2018 2022 Esports World Cup 2024 KeSPA Cup Rift Rivals 2017 2018 2019 SEA Games 2021
Music	Pentakill "Warriors" "Legends Never Die" "Masterpiece" K/DA "Pop/Stars" All Out "The Baddest" "More" Arcane League of Legends "Enemy" "Everything Goes On" "Star Walkin'" "Heavy Is the Crown" "Ma meilleure ennemie"
Characters	Jinx Teemo Vi
Other games	Riot Games Teamfight Tactics League of Legends: Wild Rift Legends of Runeterra 2XKO Riot Forge Ruined King Hextech Mayhem The Mageseeker Convergence Song of Nunu Bandle Tale Tabletop games Mechs vs. Minions Tellstones: King's Gambit
Other	List of League of Legends media Arcane Gothus teemo
The 2020 Mid-Season Invitational was cancelled and replaced by the 2020 Mid-Season Streamathon due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2024 songs
• 2024 singles
• Animated music videos
• League of Legends World Championship
• Linkin Park songs
• Song recordings produced by Mike Shinoda
• Songs written by Brad Delson
• Songs written by Mike Shinoda
• Warner Records singles