The song features Armenian-American multi-instrumentalist Daron Malakian from heavy metal band System of a Down, who plays additional guitar on the track.

In a preview for the album by Rolling Stone, it was stated that "'Rebellion' uses a speedy riff and a jackhammer-fast drum line that splits the difference between hardcore and disco that, together, charges toward a chorus with the message “Rebellion – we lost before we start.” .

[1] In another preview for the album by AltWire, it has been described as "sonically resembling a Toxicity-era System of a Down track with Daron Malakian's signature guitar sound on full display, as he delivers a blisteringly fast sixteenth note guitar riff behind Mike Shinoda's sung lead vocals, breaking only momentarily for the chorus where Chester Bennington takes over the microphone to sing “we are the fortunate ones, imitations of rebellion”.

The song was removed from all setlists in 2015's North American Tour, but Linkin Park brought it back for their festival set in summer 2015.

In 2017, the song returned at the Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington memorial concert at Hollywood Bowl.