To stop, or to come back, even if things will never be the same again. This is the terrible dilemma that has haunted the members of Linkin Park, a major band of the 2000s, since that fateful day in July 2017 when Chester Bennington, named after their charismatic singer with the inimitable voice, took his own life, at the height of his fame.
More than seven years after the tragedy, the Californian band has made its choice and put an end to the wildest speculations: with a surprise concert broadcast live on the Internet, the nu metal group let the world know that it was back. The opportunity to present the successor to the late singer, but also to announce a world tour and a new album, entitled From Zero. Quite a symbol.
A stage beast to replace the irreplaceable
The suspense is over: it is therefore Emily Armstrong, the energetic leader of the group Dead Sara, who has fallen to a task deemed impossible: that of replacing Chester Bennington and his very particular, very heartbreaking voice. Fans around the world discovered her, live, last night, when the group returned to the stage for the first time since 2017, during an event organized in the greatest secrecy in a studio in Los Angeles. It is on a brand new song, « The Emptiness Machine »that she appeared, just like the rest of the group.
Connoisseurs immediately noticed two other changes, with the absences of the original drummer and guitarist. The first, Rob Bourdon, decided not to continue the adventure and was replaced by a certain Colin Brittain present behind the drums on Thursday. The second, Brad Delson, could clearly not be present for this event concert and was replaced by Alex Felder.
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For an hour, including an encore, Linkin Park offered its audience some of its greatest hits. The opportunity, above all, to introduce itself in this new format, but also to announce a new album, From Zeroexpected on November 15th. That’s not all: to celebrate this return to business, Linkin Park will give several concerts around the world, which will take them from Los Angeles to Seoul, via London and Hamburg in particular. And there’s no question of waiting until next year: the dates are scheduled from this September, and will go on sale first to members of the group’s fan club, the Linkin Park Underground.
“A special affinity”
After the excitement of the return, singer Mike Shinoda, guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and DJ Joe Hahn said in a statement that they had “quietly started to get together over the last few years” and worked with a number of musicians before finding “a special connection” with Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain.
As for the future album with its already evocative title, From ZeroShinoda explains that it is a nod to the band’s “past, present and future.” “Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero. The title of this album refers to both that humble beginning and the journey we are currently on. […] It was made with deep appreciation for our new and old bandmates, friends, family and fans.”
Launched onto world airwaves in 2000 with the single “In The End” and the monumental success ofHybrid TheoryLinkin Park produced seven studio albums during the first phase of its existence, constantly renewing its style, even if it meant losing part of its audience over the course of its creations.
Raped as a child, Chester Bennington fought his demons all his life, suffering from depression and various addictions. The suicide of a loved one in May 2017, that of singer Chris Cornell, deeply upset him by his own admission. An ordeal from which he would not recover, imitating the gesture of his friend on the day he should have celebrated his birthday, July 20, 2017.
