Linkin Park: ‘New singer isn’t trying to replace anyone’
Linkin Park founder Mike Shinoda has made it clear that the band’s new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, is not meant to replace the late Chester Bennington. In a recent interview with Radio 1’s New Music Show, Shinoda addressed the growing criticism surrounding the band’s comeback, insisting that their return is about starting a new chapter, not erasing the past.
The band announced their reunion earlier this month, revealing new music with Armstrong, a vocalist from the hard rock band Dead Sara. While the decision has been met with enthusiasm from some fans, others, including Chester’s son Jaime Bennington, have expressed anger. Jaime recently accused the remaining members of “quietly erasing” his father’s “life and legacy in real time.”
Shinoda acknowledged these concerns but stressed that the band’s intent isn’t to rewrite history. “This is not meant to be a redo or a rewrite of Linkin Park,” he said. “The old chapter was a great chapter, and we loved that chapter. It ran its course, and now we were faced with a challenge of: ‘If you start from scratch with another voice, what do you do?'”
Linkin Park’s return is significant, as the band hadn’t released new music since Chester Bennington’s tragic passing in 2017. Their 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory was named “one of the most important albums of all time” by Kerrang! magazine, and their latest work has been eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide.
The band’s comeback performance featured a mix of new tracks and their classic hits, with Armstrong taking on Chester’s iconic parts. Despite the comparisons, Shinoda praised Armstrong for her individuality. “She’s not trying to be Chester, she’s not trying to be anybody else. She’s her, and that’s why it works.”
Armstrong has faced her own share of controversy, including allegations about her ties to the Church of Scientology and past support for convicted rapist Danny Masterson. Though she distanced herself from Masterson, she hasn’t publicly addressed her alleged connections to Scientology. Shinoda, however, focused on her talent. “When she sings, it’s like the passion and she’s just 100% her,” he said.
Despite the criticism, the band’s lead single “The Emptiness Machine” has been a commercial success, peaking at number four on the UK Official Singles Chart and reaching number 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Their From Zero world tour has already sold out shows in London, New York, and Los Angeles.
Shinoda concluded by saying that the band has worked harder than ever to make this new era of Linkin Park feel natural. “We rehearsed more for this than we’ve ever rehearsed for anything in our lives. These shows are us figuring out our intuitive ways of how we move and play on stage and making it even more effortless.”
As Linkin Park navigates this new phase, fans will continue to grapple with the emotional complexities of moving forward while honoring Chester Bennington’s legacy.
