Mark Wakefield - Ground Xero -

: Mike Shinoda previously denied the song's authenticity, noting it didn't sound like their early work. Authentic Mark Wakefield Content

: Later re-recorded as "Forgotten" on Hybrid Theory . Reading My Eyes : A fan-favorite demo track. Fuse : Featured on the original 1997 Xero sampler tape. Stick N' Move : Later evolved into "Runaway". Esaul : The original version of "A Place for My Head".

: In January 2026, a member of the North Carolina band confirmed the track was theirs, recorded while they were in high school. Mark Wakefield - Ground Xero

"Ground Xero" is a song that was widely misattributed to , the original lead singer of the band Xero (which eventually became Linkin Park ), for over 20 years. The True Origin of "Ground Xero"

: A legendary unreleased track finally released for the Hybrid Theory 20th Anniversary. Legacy and Other Work: : Mike Shinoda previously denied the song's authenticity,

While "Ground Xero" is not his, Mark Wakefield is a foundational figure in Linkin Park's history. He was the lead vocalist for Xero from . Confirmed Xero Tracks (Vocalist):

The song was actually recorded in by an unrelated grunge/alternative rock band also named Wakefield from Whiteville, North Carolina. Fuse : Featured on the original 1997 Xero sampler tape

: The song appeared on file-sharing sites like Kazaa in early 2005 with the filename "Wakefield - Ground Xero.mp3". Fans assumed "Wakefield" referred to Mark Wakefield, given his history with Xero.