No, Exz, they might have some connection to metal, but it's very minor...
Alternative, alternative, and again, alternative...
Although, of course, this is just my opinion, but if all sources give them this genre, why argue? Almost every band has songs of "different genres," but that doesn't mean we characterize the band with just one genre; we give them the one they use less often...
In general, I don't like Linkin Park; they shout a lot, and there aren't many good melodies. I listened to Numb and What I've Done for a while, but I got tired of them pretty quickly.

P.S. An example of classic new metal, please :)