Linkin Park Is Back: What Do We Know So Far?

One of the world’s biggest and most beloved bands in the world of rock, Linkin Park, is officially back after a seven years hiatus.

This reunion has sparked massive public interest among fans and the music industry but has also raised some questions and controversies. Here’s a quick reminder of what has happened and what we know so far about the Linkin Park reunion, in case you missed it.

Reunion with New Members: Linkin Park has reunited with a new lineup, featuring Emily Armstrong from the band Dead Sara as the new vocalist and Colin Brittain as the drummer.
New Single and Album: This line-up released first new Linkin Park music since the death of Chester Bennington in 2017. The band has released a new single, “The Emptiness Machine,” and announced an upcoming album titled “From Zero,” set to release on November 15, 2024
World Tour Announcement: The band has announced a world tour starting on September 11, 2024, in Los Angeles, with stops in New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogotá.
Behind-the-Scenes Footage: Band shared behind-the-scenes footage from their recent global livestream, showcasing their new lineup and performances of both new and classic hits.
Scientology and Chester’s Son Criticism: Chester Bennington’s son, Jaime, has publicly criticized the band’s reunion, particularly the Mike Shinoda, accusing him of trying to erase Chester Bennington’s legacy and decision to hire Armstrong due to her association with Scientology. He expressed concerns about the band’s direction and how it reflects on his father’s legacy.
Danny Masterson Controversy: The controversy surrounding Emily Armstrong’s connection to Danny Masterson stems from her previous support of him during his rape trial. Armstrong attended one of Masterson’s preliminary hearings in 2020, believing him to be a friend. The singer addressed the criticism by stating that she misjudged Masterson and ceased contact with him after realizing the gravity of the accusations. This support has been criticized, particularly by Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta, whose wife was one of Masterson’s accusers.
Fans Reactions: Overall, fans have shown a mix of excitement and apprehension. Many expressed joy at the band’s return, with comments like “Linkin Park is back… the world is healing” and “Emily Armstrong is a great fit” highlighting positive sentiments. Some fans acknowledged the emotional weight of Chester Bennington’s legacy, emphasizing that they do not view Armstrong as a replacement but as a new chapter for the band. However, a few were critical of her performance, suggesting she might be trying too hard to emulate Bennington’s style.
Chester is back – With AI: As we stepped into the new age of AI technology, it wasn’t long before some unofficial videos appeared on YouTube featuring Chester Bennington’s vocals created for the new song “The Emptiness Machine”.