Final Masquerade

{{Infobox song

| name = Final Masquerade

| cover = final_masquerade.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Linkin Park

| album = The Hunting Party

| released = June 10, 2014

| format =

| recorded = 2013–14

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = {{hlist|Alternative rock|hard rock}}

| length = 3:37

| label = {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Machine Shop}}

| writer = {{hlist|Linkin Park|Emile Haynie[http://www.shazam.com/track/124333117/final-masquerade Final Masquerade-Shazam] Shazam}}

| producer = {{hlist|Brad Delson|Mike Shinoda|Emile Haynie {{small|(co.)}}}}

| prev_title = Rebellion

| prev_year = 2014

| next_title = Darker Than Blood

| next_year = 2015

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|i8q8fFs3kTM|"Final Masquerade"}}}}

}}

"Final Masquerade" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was originally recorded by the band for their sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, where it appears as the eleventh track on the album and serves as the fifth and final single.{{cite web|title=Stream Linkin Park's 'Final Masquerade' Here!|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/a847ak/stream-linkin-parks-final-masquerade-here|website=MTV.co.uk|publisher=MTV|access-date=12 June 2014}} The song premiered on MTV on June 8, 2014. The song was produced by Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson, and co-produced by Emile Haynie.

An acoustic version of the song was released for digital download on February 19, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://linkinpark.com/thankyou|title=Final Masquerade (Acoustic) Download : Linkin Park|work=Linkin Park|access-date=February 22, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221105658/http://linkinpark.com/ThankYou|archive-date=February 21, 2015}}

Composition

"Final Masquerade" has been described as an alternative rock and a hard rock song.{{cite web|url=http://www.directlyrics.com/linkin-park-final-masquerade-music-video-news.html|title=Linkin Park - "Final Masquerade" [Music Video]|work=Directlyrics|access-date=April 16, 2015}}Partridge, Kenneth [http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6121623/linkin-park-the-hunting-party-track-by-track-review-mike-shinoda "Linkin Park's 'The Hunting Party': Track-by-Track Review"] Billboard June 18, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2018 In an article from Metal Hammer, it was explained as "more like A Thousand Suns than Hybrid Theory, which Linkin Park gives at their most controlled, meditative, a slowly unfurling, mid-paced anthem built around simmering keyboards, unfussy, low-tempo beats and palm-muted guitar. The song features one of Chester Bennington's finest vocal performances on the album."{{Cite web|url=http://metalhammer.teamrock.com/features/2014-06-03/linkin-park-our-track-by-track-look-at-the-hunting-party|title = Linkin Park: Our track-by-track look at The Hunting Party|access-date = 6 March 2014|publisher = Metal Hammer}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.lpassociation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40604|title = "The Hunting Party" Full Review by Metal Hammer|access-date = 4 June 2014|publisher = Linkin Park Association}}

MTV described the song as "a sharp, edgy, lushly harmonic heavy-hitter that falls perfectly in line with Linkin Park’s lengthy string of hulking, hooky hits."{{cite web|title=SONG PREMIERE: Linkin Park's 'Final Masquerade'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1840262/linkin-park-final-masquerade-song/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610121638/http://www.mtv.com/news/1840262/linkin-park-final-masquerade-song/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2014|publisher=MTV|access-date=8 March 2014}} In an interview with MTV, Shinoda explained:

{{cquote|"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,” he said. “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."}}

Music video

The official music video for the song, directed by Mark Pellington, was released on July 29, 2014 for premiere on MTV.{{cite web|url=http://www.videostatic.com/production/2014/06/23/linkin-park-final-masquerade-mark-pellington-dir |title=LINKIN PARK "Final Masquerade" (Mark Pellington, dir.) |publisher=VideoStatic |date=2014-06-24 |access-date=2014-08-11}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MarkPellington/status/479308087044485120 |title=Twitter / MarkPellington: The Final Masquerade |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2014-06-18 |access-date=2014-08-11}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MarkPellington/status/481121304750219264 |title=Twitter / MarkPellington: Shooting a new video for |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2014-06-23 |access-date=2014-08-11}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/linkinpark/status/493840373446615040 |title=Twitter / linkinpark: The video for Final Masquerade |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2014-07-28 |access-date=2014-08-11}} A lyric video for the song was released earlier, as it debuted through Linkin Park's official Facebook page and in digital download format on June 10, 2014.

As of November 2024, the music video for "Final Masquerade" has over 130 million views on YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8q8fFs3kTM|title=Final Masquerade [Official Music Video] - Linkin Park|publisher=YouTube|author=Linkin Park|date=July 30, 2014|access-date=December 1, 2022}}

Reception

In the track-by-track review by Billboard, the song is given a positive response and explained as, "Synths and palm-muted guitars carry the mid-tempo verses into a head-nodding hard rock chorus. With that, another love affair ends in epic fashion, and there's even a big stadium sing-along."

Accolades

The song was voted as the second-best rock song on Kerrang!'s Rock 100 list. The song was placed after another Linkin Park song, "In the End".[https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153206270906788&theater "In The End" and "Final Masquerade" have made it to the top of Kerrang!'s Rock 100 list] Facebook April 15, 2015.

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Final Masquerade

| writer1 = Linkin Park

| extra1 = {{hlist|Brad Delson|Mike Shinoda|Emile Haynie {{small|(co.)}}}}

| length1 = 3:37}}

{{Track listing

| headline = CD

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Final Masquerade

| writer1 = Linkin Park

| extra1 = {{hlist|Brad Delson|Mike Shinoda|Emile Haynie {{small|(co.)}}}}

| length1 = 3:37

| title2 = Until It's Gone

| note2 = Live

| writer2 = Linkin Park

| extra2 = {{hlist|Brad Delson|Mike Shinoda}}

| length2 = 3:50

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Promotional single

| title1 = Final Masquerade

| note1 = Acoustic

| writer1 = Linkin Park

| length1 = 3:50

}}

Personnel

;Linkin Park

Chester Bennington – lead vocals
Rob Bourdon – drums, percussion
Brad Delson – lead guitar, backing vocals
Dave "Phoenix" Farrell – bass guitar, backing vocals
Joe Hahn ("Mr. Hahn") - samples, programming
Mike Shinoda – piano, rhythm guitar, keyboards

Charts

scope="col"\| Chart (2014) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Chart performance for "Final Masquerade"
{{single chart\|Australia\|43\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=June 15, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|65\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 26, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|44\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 19, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Wallonia\|46\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Canada\|85\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Czech Republic\|74\|year=2014\|week=40\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 1, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Denmark\|34\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
{{single chart\|France\|45\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=June 20, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|70\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|songid=1300198\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 18, 2019}}
{{single chart\|Hungarysingle\|5\|year=2014\|week=24\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=June 19, 2014}}
{{single chart\|ItalyFIMI\|34\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 18, 2015\|week=24\|year=2014\|chartid=1830}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|30\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}
scope="row"\| Portugal (AFP){{cite web\|url=https://acharts.co/portugal_singles_top_50/2014/25\|title=PORTUGAL SINGLES TOP 50\|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa\|date=June 15, 2014\|access-date=November 30, 2022}} \| 22
{{single chart\|Spain\|35\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 18, 2014}}
{{Single chart\|Switzerland\|64\|artist=Linkin Park\|rowheader=true\|song=Final Masquerade}}
scope="row"\| UK Singles (OCC){{Cite web\|url=http://zobbel.de/cluk/140628cluk.txt\|title=CHART LOG UK: NEW ENTRIES UPDATE\|publisher=Zobbel.de\|date=June 28, 2014\|access-date=December 29, 2021}} \| 106
scope="row"\| UK Rock & Metal (OCC){{Cite web\|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-singles-chart/20140622/111/\|title= Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart\|publisher=Official Charts Company\|date=June 22, 2014\|access-date=April 17, 2024}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Billboardbubbling100\|15\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 30, 2022}}
scope="row"\| US Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{Cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/linkin-park/chart-history/hds/\|title=Linkin Park Chart History (Digital Song Sales)\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=May 10, 2023}} \| 47
{{single chart\|Billboardrocksongs\|18\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 25, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrockairplay\|30\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 25, 2014}}
{{single chart\|Billboardalternativesongs\|32\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 30, 2022}}
{{single chart\|Billboardmainstreamrock\|35\|artist=Linkin Park\|song=Final Masquerade\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 30, 2022}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ Release dates and formats for "Final Masquerade"
scope="col"\|Region !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Format !scope="col"\|Label !scope="col"\|{{Abbr\|Ref.\|References}}
scope="row"\| Worldwide \|rowspan="2"\| June 10, 2014 \|rowspan="2"\| Digital download \| {{hlist\|Warner Bros.\|Machine Shop}} \|{{cite web \|url=https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Linkin_Park_Final_Masquerade?id=B2notwxemu7vk636hnyp3x2l3iu \|title=Linkin Park: Final Masquerade \|work=Google Play \|access-date=June 10, 2014}}
scope="row"\| India \| Warner Bros. \|[http://www.saavn.com/s/album/english/Final-Masquerade-/zLFfIY-ek8Y_ Final Masquerade by Linkin Park] Saavn June 10, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
scope="row"\| Italy \| August 1, 2014 \| Contemporary hit radio \| rowspan="2"\| Warner Bros. \|{{cite web \|url=http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/72234/LINKIN-PARK-Final-Masquerade-Warner \|title=Linkin Park – Final Masquerade (Warner) \|publisher=Radio Airplay SRL \|access-date=July 30, 2014 \|author=Recine, Massimo \|language=it \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812065525/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/72234/LINKIN-PARK-Final-Masquerade-Warner \|archive-date=August 12, 2014 \|url-status=dead }}
scope="row"\| Germany \| September 20, 2014 \| CD \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax2MSxAN06k \|title=Final Masquerade 2-Track Single by Warner Music Germany \|publisher=YouTube \|date=August 1, 2014 \|access-date=August 10, 2014 \|author=Warner Bros. Records}}
scope="row"\| United States \| November 11, 2014 \| Modern rock radio \|rowspan="2"\| {{hlist\|Warner Bros.\|Machine Shop}} \|{{cite web \|url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases \|title=Alternative Future Releases \|publisher=All Access Music Group \|access-date=October 21, 2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024135634/http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases \|archive-date=October 24, 2014 \|url-status=dead }}
scope="row"\| Worldwide \| February 21, 2015 \| Promotional single \|{{cite web \|url=http://www.linkinpark.com/news/241313 \|title=FINAL MASQUERADE (ACOUSTIC) \|publisher=Linkin Park \|access-date=February 21, 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222195700/http://www.linkinpark.com/news/241313 \|archive-date=February 22, 2015 \|url-status=dead }}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release dates and formats for "Final Masquerade"

scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format

!scope="col"|Label

!scope="col"|{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

scope="row"| Worldwide

|rowspan="2"| June 10, 2014

|rowspan="2"| Digital download

| {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Machine Shop}}

|{{cite web |url=https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Linkin_Park_Final_Masquerade?id=B2notwxemu7vk636hnyp3x2l3iu |title=Linkin Park: Final Masquerade |work=Google Play |access-date=June 10, 2014}}

scope="row"| India

| Warner Bros.

|[http://www.saavn.com/s/album/english/Final-Masquerade-/zLFfIY-ek8Y_ Final Masquerade by Linkin Park] Saavn June 10, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.

scope="row"| Italy

| August 1, 2014

| Contemporary hit radio

| rowspan="2"| Warner Bros.

|{{cite web |url=http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/72234/LINKIN-PARK-Final-Masquerade-Warner |title=Linkin Park – Final Masquerade (Warner) |publisher=Radio Airplay SRL |access-date=July 30, 2014 |author=Recine, Massimo |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812065525/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/72234/LINKIN-PARK-Final-Masquerade-Warner |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

scope="row"| Germany

| September 20, 2014

| CD

|{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax2MSxAN06k |title=Final Masquerade 2-Track Single by Warner Music Germany |publisher=YouTube |date=August 1, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |author=Warner Bros. Records}}

scope="row"| United States

| November 11, 2014

| Modern rock radio

|rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Machine Shop}}

|{{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases |title=Alternative Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |access-date=October 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024135634/http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

scope="row"| Worldwide

| February 21, 2015

| Promotional single

|{{cite web |url=http://www.linkinpark.com/news/241313 |title=FINAL MASQUERADE (ACOUSTIC) |publisher=Linkin Park |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222195700/http://www.linkinpark.com/news/241313 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

References

Category:2014 songs

Category:2014 singles

Category:2010s ballads

Category:Warner Records singles

Category:Linkin Park songs

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Hard rock ballads

Category:Music videos directed by Mark Pellington

Category:Songs written by Mike Shinoda

Category:Songs written by Emile Haynie

Category:Song recordings produced by Emile Haynie

Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Shinoda