Linkin Park are back with a new lineup and debuting their first new music since 2017 death of lead singer Chester Bennington.
On Thursday, the band launched a livestream showcasing new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Britton, who will join returning members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix and Joe Hahn in Linkin Park’s new lineup. Shinoda and Armstrong share voice duties.
The new lineup launched in a new single, “The Emptiness Machine”, on top of the stream. Armstrong’s performance style comfortably continues the band’s legacy: her full-throated vocals recall Bennington without attempting parody, which is immediately evidenced on the set’s second song: “Somewhere I Belong.”
“This is a very special day for us,” Shinoda said leading the introduction as guitarist Alex Feder was filling in at Delson for the night. “You’re all in the role of Chester Bennington this afternoon,” Shinoda addressed the crowd.
The new Linkin Park also announced a new album, “From Zero.” It releases on November 15.
The rock-rap band is one of the most commercially successful acts of the 2000s, aided by Bennington’s vocals. At the age of 41, he died by suicide shortly after the release of the group’s last album, “One more light.” In the years since, Linkin Park has dropped a number of re-releases, including “Hybrid Theory,” “Meteora” and, this year, 20th anniversary editions of the career greatest hits collection, “Papercuts.”
“Before Linkin Park, our first band was called Zero. The title of this album refers to both these humble beginnings and the journey we are currently on,” Shinoda said in a statement announcing the upcoming release.
Armstrong hails from the alt-rock band Dead Sara and Britten is a songwriter and producer who has worked with Papa Roach, One OK Rock and All Time Low. He replaces original drummer Rob Bourdon, who “has decided to step away,” a representative for the band told The Associated Press.
“Before Linkin Park, our first band was called Zero. The title of this album refers to both these humble beginnings and the journey we are currently on,” Shinoda said in a statement announcing the upcoming release.
Armstrong hails from the alt-rock band Dead Sara and Britten is a songwriter and producer who has worked with Papa Roach, One OK Rock and All Time Low. He replaces original drummer Rob Bourdon, who “has decided to step away,” a representative for the band told The Associated Press.
The band also announced a “From Zero World Tour” featuring five arena shows in Los Angeles; New York; Hamburg, Germany; London and Seoul this month and Bogota, Colombia on November 6th.
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