LINKIN PARK rapper Mike Shinoda has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"We've been working on new stuff for a few months at this point, and we have about 40-50 ideas. Some of them are just little musical phrases, some are full-blown songs with vocals. All are very exciting.

"As many of you know, we'll be working with producer Rick Rubin on the next album. We were looking for someone with experience in diverse musical styles, whose music taste is as diverse as ours. Seeing that Rick has produced albums for groups like RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, SLAYER, BEASTIE BOYS, NEIL DIAMOND, JAY-Z, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, and JOHNNY CASH, I think it's safe to say that he's pretty versatile. The other guys have put me in charge of production on our end, so you'll see that the production credit on the next record will read 'Rick Rubin and Mike Shinoda.' I have to thank the guys in a huge way for trusting me with this honor and challenge — we're going to make a great record. As for the sound of it, I think you will recognize our style and personality in the sound, but we definitely want to step outside the box and make something new and different. We have been challenging ourselves to do something that will keep all the things we/you like about LINKIN PARK, and then add new sounds and styles that you've never heard from us."

LINKIN PARK's upcoming CD will be their first full-length studio project since 2003's "Meteora".

Although Chester Bennington had announced plans earlier this year to work on his first solo album, the vocalist told MTV.com that he has delayed that project until 2007 or later to work on the new LINKIN PARK disc.