Photo credits: James Minchin III
The countdown launched on the official Linkin Park website, in a flood of rumors surrounding the reformation of the cult group, ended with the announcement that all fans were waiting for: seven years after the suicide of Chester Bennington, Linkin Park will return to stores in November with a new album marking the beginning of a ” new breath and full of life »! Despite the rocker’s cruel absence, his former comrades, grieving and after several years of hesitation, finally wanted to continue the adventure to extend his legacy. And the performers of “Friendly Fire” see things in a big way: this new album, which prefigures a world tour for 2025, presents a brand new line-up with… a singer! Leader of the hard rock band Dead Sara, Emily Armstrong met the musicians for the first time in 2019, before gradually integrating into the group over the past year. Except that her arrival does not please everyone…
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“It’s a shame”
Under the band’s various posts on Instagram, many fans express their disappointment, incomprehension and even fury at seeing Linkin Park take on a new form, without Chester or drummer Rob Bourdon, replaced by Colin Brittain. The comments are divided into two camps: those for whom ” The band members deserve to perform on stage again » (« Chester would like it and so would the real fans “), and those who are totally opposed to this reform: ” Chester cannot be replaced », « This is ridiculous », « No Chester, no Rob, no Linkin Park », « It’s a shame », « They should have come up with a new name, it’s not Linkin Park anymore », « Sometimes goodbyes are the only way ” can be read among hundreds and hundreds of negative messages. Emily Armstrong in particular concentrates the most virulent criticism, because beyond vocally replacing Chester Bennington, some accuse her of being part of Scientology. ” They replaced a singer who committed suicide with a woman who doesn’t believe in psychiatry », « It’s not the same anymore », « I cannot support your decision to welcome him into the family. ” protests a section of the public.
Twitter’s experience with Emily Armstrong tonight:#LinkinPark pic.twitter.com/Dj9vpCyexm
Gallerhi (@Gallerhi) September 6, 2024
It’ll never be the same LP without Chester. Especially not when you bring in untalented female to “replace” one of the greatest rock voices there ever was.You should’ve just retired the band after Chester’s passing and let his incredible legacy live on… What a shame…
🇭🇷 UnstoppableDZG (@MO99DZG) September 6, 2024
Linkin Park expected these hostile reactions. We know there will always be a wide variety of opinions and reactions, but when we release music it’s because it’s ready to be released, we’re proud of it, we’re happy with where we’re at and we think it’s the best snapshot of the band at the moment. » assures Mike Shinoda to Billboardwho explains having organized ” lots of sessions with lots of different artists ” in the hope of seeing what would come out of it: ” It just came together naturally. Even with Emily and Colin, we didn’t say, “Hey, come on, we’re doing sessions for Linkin Park.” We just said, “We’re going to write songs.” ».
“There is a passion that I hope I can recreate”
The album “From Zero” will have 11 tracks including the electric single “The Emptiness Machine”. And Mike Shinoda is full of praise for his two new recruits: ” Emily and Colin are about 10 years younger than us – they’re from a different generation, and what strikes me is that they have a different perspective, with different ways of doing things, but they’re also old enough to have experience. In Emily’s case, that’s especially important. She’s been on the road and played a ton of shows, so I know we don’t have to worry. ».
The music video for our new song The Emptiness Machine is out now. #FromZero pic.twitter.com/UoxbMVMWTG
LINKIN PARK (@linkinpark) September 6, 2024
The singer, born in Los Angeles, learned to master the famous “scream” characteristic of metal groups by listening to Linkin Park when she was younger. It took me a while to develop it, but I learned by listening to singers. I had no training. So Chester was someone I knew, and I was obsessed. ” she says, aware that she will not be unanimous: ” I’m in seventh heaven but I know there’s a lot of work to do “She particularly insists on the old Linkin Park hits that she will have to re-appropriate on stage. ” You have to marry the technical part with the emotion. It’s Chester’s voice, and it’s mine, but I still want to feel what I feel when I listen to the song, because that’s what the fans love. There’s a passion that I hope I can recreate. ” she concludes.
