Revitalized Linkin Park Debuts New Single with Fresh Lineup, Announces Album Release

By
Carol Kay
-
11

Linkin Park is back with a new lineup and debuting their first new music since the 2017 death of lead singer Chester Bennington.

On Thursday, the band kicked off a livestream showcasing new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who will join returning members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix, and Joe Hahn in Linkin Park’s revamped ensemble. Shinoda and Armstrong now share vocal duties, delivering the powerful harmonies fans have come to expect.


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The new lineup began the stream with a new single titled “The Emptiness Machine.” Armstrong’s dynamic performance style continues the band’s legacy; her full-throated vocals harken back to Bennington without sounding like an imitation, as evidenced in their rendition of “Somewhere I Belong.”

“This is a very special day for us,” Shinoda said while introducing the new members, noting that guitarist Alex Feder was filling in for Delson for the evening. He then delivered a heartfelt message to the audience: “In the role of Chester Bennington this afternoon is each of you,” he addressed the crowd, adding a sense of communal tribute.

The new Linkin Park lineup also announced a forthcoming album, “From Zero,” which will be released on November 15.

The band became one of the most commercially successful rock-rap acts in the early 2000s, driven largely by Bennington’s distinctive vocals. Tragically, Bennington died by suicide at the age of 41, shortly after the release of their last album, “One More Light.” Since his death, Linkin Park has commemorated their past work with several re-releases, including 20th anniversary editions of “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora,” and this year’s comprehensive greatest-hits collection, “Papercuts.”

“Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking,” Shinoda explained in a statement about the upcoming release.

Armstrong hails from the alt-rock band Dead Sara, while Brittain is a renowned songwriter and producer, known for his work with Papa Roach, One OK Rock, and All Time Low. Brittain replaces original drummer Rob Bourdon, who “has decided to step away,” according to a band representative.

“The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created,” Shinoda said. “We feel really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant, energized new music we’ve made together. We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for, while still exploring new ones.”

In addition to the album, the band announced the “From Zero World Tour,” which includes five arena shows in Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London, and Seoul this month, with a sixth show in Bogotá, Colombia, scheduled for November.

“From Zero” tracklist:

  1. From Zero (Intro)
  2. The Emptiness Machine
  3. Cut The Bridge
  4. Heavy Is The Crown
  5. Over Each Other
  6. Casualty
  7. Overflow
  8. Two Faced
  9. Stained
  10. IGYEIH
  11. Good Things Go