The previously suspected Linkin Park Worlds Anthem for League of Legends’ biggest tournament is real, and you can listen to it right now.
Fans began to speculate that Linkin Park, fresh off a reformation with a new vocalist, might be the musical artist behind this year’s World Championship anthem. The theories began with the LoL Esports account commenting on a Linkin Park post, and spiraled from there.
Fans were expecting to hear Heavy is the Crown at the new Linkin Park Now, a Linkin Park show in Hamburg, Germany. The band lived up to those expectations and footage of the concert has since leaked to social media. As a result, Riot Games has confirmed that Heavy is the Crown is the Worlds 2024 anthem.
Linkin Park’s Worlds Anthem debuts in Germany
Fans were expecting to wait until September 24 to hear the new Worlds Anthem, as that is when the annual music video for Worlds will debut. However, recordings of the band’s show in Hamburg hit the internet on September 22, including the rumored Linkin Park Worlds Anthem.
The song is a hard-hitting, bombastic, rock anthem that’s right up Riot’s alley. It’s also very “Linkin Park,” reminiscent of the band’s Bleed It Out, with Mike Shinoda’s rapping combined with Emily Armstrong’s vocals.
The song leans on both its name and its Worlds anthem status, with lyrics focused on the price of glory. This ties in with the champion chosen for the anthem and tournament’s branding, Viego, a fallen king.
Between Shinoda’s signature rhymes, the chorus cuts straight to the essence of the song’s appeal to LoL esports.
“This is what you asked for, heavy is the crown
Fire in the sunrise, ashes rainin’ down
Tryna hold it in but it keeps bleedin’ out
This is what you asked for, heavy is the
Heavy is the crown”
An official snippet of the studio recording of the song has been released by Riot Games. Those wanting to hear the official studio recording in its glory will have to wait, though.
When will Heavy is the Crown be released?
Linkin Park’s Worlds Anthem, entitled Heavy is the crown, will be released on September 24.
While a full performance of the song can be heard on YouTube, the full production hasn’t yet arrived. For now, fans will have to make do with concert recordings and the 22 second-long teaser. The good news is that League of Legends fans can also look forward to an exciting music video. Linkin Park will also likely make the trip to Worlds 2024 to perform their anthem ahead of the finals.
