During the 2006 live performances in Japan, the Reanimation bridge was played with the main riff of the song.Дuring the band's 2007 tour, 'One Step Closer' became the opening song of Linkin Park's performances, and the Reanimation verse was removed. It can also be heard on the Live from Nottingham Rock City 2003 Live from Nottingham record. On the single cover, it is called 'One Step Closer' (Reanimated Live)'. This is half-done on the performance at 2004's Rock am Ring (in that Mike Shinoda only sings the part during the second half of the bridge) and fully done during a performance during 2003's Projekt Revolution tour, which was completely recorded and included as a B-side on the ' Faint' single and is available as a bonus track for Reanimation when purchased on iTunes. On occasion, Shinoda sings 'Blood is pouring' under Bennington's screaming during this part, as is done by Jonathan Davis on the remix. During their Projekt Revolution tour in 2004, the band actually got Jonathan Davis himself to sing his part on the song before Chester starts screaming his part. At the end of the verse, Davis repeats the line 'Blood is pouring' while the song builds up to the bridge. This part was somewhat similar to the atmosphere on the remix, with synth parts and faint vocal parts being scratched.ДЇrom 2003 to 2006, performances of the song include a verse originally sung by Korn frontman Jonathan Davis in the Reanimation remix of the song before the 'Shut up when I'm talking to you!' bridge, which can be heard on LP Underground 4.0. In 2009, every show they played was ended with 'One Step Closer', excluding the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen premiere.Дuring the 2001 MTV VMA performance of the song, the band had The X-Ecutioners do an extended break before the bridge.

In 2008, they ended some of their shows with either 'One Step Closer' or ' Bleed It Out'. In 2007, Linkin Park played 'One Step Closer' toward the beginning of their live performances and sometimes at the end. Until 2007, Linkin Park has closed every concert to date with 'One Step Closer', excluding Live 8, and their live performances at Summer Sonic.

One step closer song