Starting July 20, 2017, I did not expect to see Linkin Park in any capacity ever again. That's the day the world learned that singer Chester Bennington was gone.
And then at the Hollywood Bowl on October 27 later that year, I saw the five remaining Linkin Park band members do a tribute concert to their brother Chester. It was titled, "Linkin Park & Friends Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington." By far the most meaningful concert I have ever been to. It featured incredible collaborations—Alanis Morissette, Jonathan Davis, Gavin Rossdale, Deryck Whibley. Nobody has consistently done collaborations and reanimations of their music better than any mainstream rockers out there.
Since that loud, teary night at the Hollywood Bowl, I knew this day would come. Still, I hardly go a week without playing a Linkin Park track and every time, I remember the irreplaceable vocals of Chester. I held out hope that a tasteful continuation would happen.
And here it is. Excited for this next chapter. For years, I've told myself that it can work: Sammy Hagar in Van Halen. Arnel Pineda in Journey. Adam Lambert in Queen. Brian Johnson in AC/DC.
And now, meet Emily Armstrong in Linkin Park.
After a seven-year hiatus following the tragic suicide of singer Bennington, Linkin Park has announced the addition of Armstrong, lead vocalist of Dead Sara, as their new co-vocalist alongside Mike Shinoda. The news came alongside the release of a brand-new single, “The Emptiness Machine,” their first original song since 2017. The single is the lead track from the upcoming album FROM ZERO, scheduled for release on November 15, 2024. It is a partial reference to the original name of the band from their early days, Xero.
Chester's last show with the band was on July 6, 2017, at Hamburg’s Barclay Arena in the United Kingdom, weeks before he took his own life.
The band did an emotional memorial concert at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2017. There has been some re-releases, side projects, and interviews over the years. But nothing as a band.
Fans have speculated whether the band would ever return.
Shinoda, Joe Hahn, and Dave "Phoenix" Farrell were present for the band’s first performance today, but guitarist Brad Delson and drummer Rob Bourdon were notably absent. While Delson is still in the band and appears in promotional photos with Armstrong, Bourdon appears to not be returning. Producer and songwriter Colin Brittain filled in on drums for the performance.
Addressing the band’s future, Shinoda said in a statement “We’re embracing our past while charging forward. FROM ZERO symbolizes both our roots and our new beginning. We’re weaving together the sound fans know with something fresh and full of life.”
The announcement of the new lineup was accompanied by the reveal of the “From Zero” world tour, set to kick off on September 11 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with stops in New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogota. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting September 6 for LP Underground members, with general sales opening on September 7.
Linkin Park remains one of the most successful rock bands of the 21st century. The band’s 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory was a massive success, selling over 27 million copies worldwide. With seven studio albums, Linkin Park has sold over 100 million albums, with multiple platinum certifications. They are arguably the most popular band from the NuMetal era in the early 2000s, with hits like “In the End,” “Numb,” “Crawling,” "What I've Done," "Castle of Glass," and "One Step Closer."
Their last album with Bennington was released in 2017, titled One More Light. There were mixed reviews from critics but Rock Music Life thought it was beautiful. Among the best on the album were the songs "Nobody Can Save Me," "Sharp Edges," and "Battle Symphony."
WHO IS EMILY ARMSTRONG?
Emily Armstrong, 38, the new co-vocalist for Linkin Park, is no stranger to the rock scene. As the lead singer of Dead Sara, she’s built a reputation for her raw, powerful vocal delivery and commanding stage presence. Dead Sara, known for their hard-hitting, grunge-influenced rock, broke onto the scene with their 2012 self-titled debut album, featuring the hit single "Weatherman." Armstrong’s ability to channel emotion through her vocals earned her comparisons to rock legends like Joan Jett and Janis Joplin.
Dead Sara went on to release several more albums, including Pleasure to Meet You and Ain’t It Tragic. Armstrong’s fearless approach to songwriting and performance has made her a standout figure in rock, paving the way for her current role with Linkin Park. Now, as she steps into the spotlight with one of the world’s biggest bands, all eyes will be on how she brings her melodic scream and energy to the next era of Linkin Park.
Here is the Linkin Park set list from RED Studios in Los Angeles:
1. The Requiem (with elements of "Castle of Glass" and "One Step Closer")
2. The Emptiness Machine (live debut)
3. Somewhere I Belong
4. Crawling (with band introductions)
5. Lying From You (first time played since 2013)
6. The Catalyst
7. Waiting for the End
8. Numb (with "Numb/Encore" intro)
9. One Step Closer (with "Road to Revolution" extended intro/outro)
10. Lost (live debut; partial; Mike and Emily solo piano version)
11. What I've Done
12. In the End
13. Faint (extended outro)
Encore:
14. The Requiem (with elements of "Castle of Glass")
15. Papercut
16. Bleed It Out (with "A Place for My Head" snippet in bridge; extended outro)
TOUR DATES:
Sept. 11, 2024 | Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 16, 2024 | Barclays Center – New York, NY
Sept. 22, 2024 | Barclays Arena – Hamburg, Germany
Sept. 24, 2024 | The O2 – London, UK
Sept. 28, 2024 | INSPIRE Arena – Seoul, South Korea
Nov. 11, 2024 | Coliseo Medplus – Bogota, Colombia
For the full reformation concert, watch the video here:
For more information and tour tickets, visit LinkinPark.com.