
Credits: El Canal de Magenta / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 3.0.
On September 5, 2024, Linkin Park surprised its fans during a concert streamed live. After seven years of silence, the American rock band made announcements. This follows the tragic passing of Chester Bennington. Chester Bennington died in July 2017. Emily Armstrong, the singer from Dead Sara, is joining Linkin Park. She will be the band’s new voice alongside Mike Shinoda. In addition, a new album titled From Zero is scheduled for November 15, along with a world tour.
The loss of Chester Bennington in 2017 marked a turning point for Linkin Park. The impact of his death at just 41 left a huge void in the music scene. Since then, the band members had been on hiatus. Linkin Park’s return with Emily Armstrong is therefore an important moment for fans.
Emily Armstrong, born in California in 1986, is known for her powerful, raspy voice. A co-founder of Dead Sara in 2005, she quickly made a name for herself in the rock world. The band especially made an impression with tracks like Weatherman, from their debut album. Her talent has allowed her to collaborate with renowned artists such as Beck, Demi Lovato, and The Offspring. Armstrong is often compared to icons like Janis Joplin. That is flattering praise for this artist whose career continues to grow.
During the September 5 concert, Emily Armstrong took the stage with force. She performed some of Linkin Park’s most iconic songs, such as Waiting for the End, Crawling, and Bleed It Out. The crowd, initially unsure, gradually applauded the performance, accepting this new chapter for the band.
In addition to Armstrong, Colin Brittain, producer for G Flip, Illenium, and One OK Rock, has also joined the band as the new drummer. This reformation of the group seems to signal a true rebirth for Linkin Park.
The album From Zero, due out on November 15, will be the first since One More Light, released a few months before Chester Bennington’s passing. This new record symbolizes a fresh start for the band, as shown by the first single, The Emptiness Machine, unveiled during the concert. The music video for the song is already online. This marks the band’s long-awaited return to the music scene.
Video unavailableAs for the tour, Linkin Park has already announced a few dates around the world. The band will kick off in Los Angeles on September 11, followed by concerts in New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogotá through November 2024. European fans will have the chance to see the band in Hamburg on September 22 and in London on September 24. Tickets for these dates went on sale on September 6 for official fan club members. They have also been available to the general public since September 7.
Linkin Park’s return marks an important moment for the rock industry. The band, which dominated the 2000s with hits like In the End, Numb, and What I’ve Done, is reinventing itself while paying tribute to its past. Emily Armstrong brings new energy. In addition, fans around the world are waiting to see this new lineup. They want to know how it will interpret the band’s musical legacy.
While waiting for the release of From Zero and the upcoming concerts, the first single The Emptiness Machine is already available, offering a glimpse of Linkin Park’s new sound. The combination of Emily Armstrong’s voice and the compositions of Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix, and Joe Hahn promises a new era for the band. Chester Bennington’s legacy remains strong. However, Linkin Park seems ready to turn the page. In addition, the band wants to start over on much stronger footing.