Linkin Park have been forced to delay their new album after recording fell behind schedule.

The rockers were hoping to release the follow up to 2003�s �Meteora� through Warners by the end of the year, but now say that 2007 is more realistic.

Speaking on their website, band member Mike Shinoda said of the Rick Rubin produced album �We�re doing well, we just need a little more time.�

He continued: "We have narrowed it down to about 30-50 songs, and some of those are heavy, some are softer and some are in between.

"So far it has a different sound that I cannot describe. It sounds like it's older, but not vintage. More organic in some spots, like just yesterday we recorded a song with no samples that is completely raw. Other songs are full of samples."

Meanwhile the band have also just announced that three of the group�s albums are available to download through iTunes now.

The band had previously been slow to become involved in the digital revolution.