Lex Valuzzi, Arts Editor
Earlier this month, rock band Linkin Park announced a comeback, and the band has revealed that the music was recorded with new lead vocalist, Emily Armstrong. The comeback gig features a performance of some of the bands new songs, as well as some of their biggest hits with Armstrong featured on original frontman Chester Bennington’s parts.
Fans remember former lead singer, Chester Bennington who took his own life back in 2017. The choice to replace Bennington has angered some fans. Bennington’s son Jaime has come out and accused the members of Linkin Park of “quietly erasing his father’s life and legacy.” Linkin Park founder Mike Shinoda has stated that the band is not trying to replace Bennington. Shinoda states “The old chapter was a great chapter; we loved that chapter. But this is a new chapter.”
The band has been getting a lot of criticism, specifically from Bennington’s mother Susan Eubanks. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Eubanks stated that Shinoda would notify her if Linkin Park ever decided to have a reunion. However, Eubanks shares that she was not informed of the decision of the reunion tour, or the hiring of Armstrong as lead vocalist. In recent interviews, Mike Shinoda has yet to address the comments of Bennington’s family.
Armstrong has also taken on criticism for more than just “replacing” Bennington. A lot of controversy has surrounded the singer because of her support of actor Danny Masterson in his rape trial back in 2022-2023. There have also been connections with Armstrong and the Church of Scientology- a religion created by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. Armstrong has yet to acknowledge her affiliations with Masterson and Scientology.
In the world of rock music, Armstrong has also been praised by many well-known names such as Courtney Love, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, as well as Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplanes. Armstrong was heavily respected during her time as a member of her former band Dead Sara. Many say that Armstrong “simply has a voice that just works.”
Linkin Park made its stage debut with its new line up in Los Angeles on September 5th. Shinoda has stated in the band’s Discord that “Many people will take time to wrap their heads around us with her, if people are respectfully not there yet, I’m totally fine with that. But disrespect me, and you will lose my respect in return.”
Despite being under fire, Linkin Park’s newest single “The Emptiness Machine” featuring Armstrong has peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 charts at number 21 and has since fallen to number 42. Love her or hate her, Armstrong is definitely taking rock music by storm in recent weeks.
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