Since the tragic passing of Chester Bennington in July 2017, Linkin Park has maintained a relatively low profile, leaving fans wondering what the future holds for the band. However, recent mysterious activity on their social media and website has rekindled hopes of a comeback, prompting fans to speculate about the identity of a potential new vocalist.
It all started in late August when Linkin Park launched a countdown on their official website and social media. The timer, which was supposed to end on August 28, captivated the attention of fans around the world, who were hoping for a major announcement. However, at the end of the countdown, the clock restarted, creating further confusion when the timer “glitched” at nine minutes and five seconds. The band eventually confirmed that a special event would be held on September 5, without giving further details but prompting a frenzy of speculation.
Fans, eager and excited, have flocked to Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) to share their theories. Many voices have been raised to suggest who could succeed Bennington as the new Linkin Park singer. Here’s a look at the names circulating the most among fan speculations.
1. Deryck Whibley (Sum 41): The Sum 41 frontman was one of the first to be mentioned, due in part to a coincidence of dates with an announcement he was planning. While he has denied any association with Linkin Park, fans are wondering if he might simply be keeping it a secret until an official reveal.
2. Lzzy Hale (Halestorm): The Halestorm singer added fuel to the fire by releasing a piano cover of Linkin Park’s Crawling. The move led some to believe she could be the mysterious female voice mentioned by Orgy singer Jay Gordon earlier this year.
3. Noah Sebastian (Bad Omens): Due to Bad Omens’ growing popularity and Noah Sebastian’s vocal abilities, many fans believe that he could be an ideal choice for Linkin Park, especially since his band also hinted that they would be making an announcement around the same time.
4. Bonnie Fraser (Stand Atlantic): Fraser previously shared the stage with Mike Shinoda for a performance of Bleed It Out, which made her another potential candidate, although she recently denied those rumors.
5. Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots): Fans have noticed symbolic connections between Linkin Park and Twenty One Pilots, particularly through the latter’s logo. Bennington and Joseph’s relationship also fuels this theory.
6. Oli Sykes (Bring Me The Horizon): A close friend of Bennington and a huge Linkin Park fan, Sykes is another name that comes up a lot, especially after he performed Crawling at the Bennington tribute concert.
7. Josh Franceschi (You Me At Six): Some fans have pointed out that the timing of You Me At Six’s farewell tour could coincide with a strong Linkin Park comeback, making Franceschi a potential choice.
8. Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara): Armstrong was mentioned after she posted a photo of a recording studio that resembled the one shared by Mike Shinoda, fueling speculation.
9. Bobby Amaru (Saliva): Amaru recently covered Linkin Park’s Lying From You, which caught the attention of fans, especially after he shared hints about his time in Los Angeles.
10. Jennifer Weist (Jennifer Rostock): The first woman to be mentioned in the rumors, Weist has already performed A Place for My Head live with Shinoda, making her a prime candidate according to some fans.
As the mystery continues to loom, speculation is reaching its peak. Fans will have to wait until midnight on September 5th to finally find out if Linkin Park has indeed found a new voice or if there are other surprises in store. Either way, one thing is for sure: the excitement surrounding this potential return is at its peak.
