Linkin Park: The band that defined a generation
Back in the 2000s, when I was just a kid, my dad used to bring home rented CDs for us to enjoy. And there was this one CD I played just to find out a music video where at the top of a tower some guys play guitars and drums and then a skinny guy shows up, his lower lip pierced, and he starts to sing,
It starts with one…
Now, I can imagine that the next lines from ‘In the End’ are already playing in your mind.
One thing, I don’t know why
It doesn’t even matter how hard you try
I know, my friend. It’s hard not to sing along.
The iconic band Linkin Park holds a special place in the hearts of many 90s kids, who grew up listening to their music. The 2000s witnessed the glorious reign of Linkin Park, as they dominated the realm of alternative rock.
For fans, Chester Bennington’s voice was the soul of the band, blending power with vulnerability—screaming like a demon yet singing like an angel. His voice, full of raw emotion, provided comfort to those dealing with personal struggles.
Personally, I’ve experienced this comfort. When my father passed away, the weight of that loss was overwhelming. During those excruciatingly painful moments, I would find solace in Linkin Park’s songs. Their music felt like an old friend, offering comfort, helping me accept the situation. I know many fans share similar stories of how Linkin Park helped them cope with pain and loss.
In 2017, when the devastating news of Chester’s passing came out, it left countless Linkin Park fans heartbroken. Chester’s last album, ‘One More Light’, was released just two months before his untimely passing. It was an end of an era.
A new beginning with Emily Armstrong
For seven years, Linkin Park has mostly been inactive. Although the band’s founding member Mike Shinoda has released a solo album, back in 2018, named Post Traumatic after Chester died by suicide, but as a band, they finally made their highly anticipated comeback on 5 September with a live concert in Los Angeles.
And boy, did they have a surprise in store for their devoted fans: the debut of their new female vocalist Emily Armstrong alongside a new single—The Emptiness Machine—and plans for a world tour.
Honestly, Emily’s live performance of the new single was brilliant. Her voice had the same energy, boldness and beastly strength that is crucial to uphold Chester’s legacy. And needless to say, she easily passed the vibe check.
And critics have lavishly applauded her performance.
“Armstrong certainly has big shoes to fill,” says Jon Pareles, New York Time’s pop critic. “But, as she proves on this bombastic new track, Armstrong shares Bennington’s facility in pivoting between melodic belting and throat-shredding screams.”
One thing is so evident. Linkin Park didn’t even try to replace Chester because they can’t. Probably that is the biggest reason they went for a female vocalist.
But not everyone is happy. Others felt the new addition was disrespectful, saying that Bennington’s legacy should be left alone.
“Something to think about… Do you honestly believe that the members of this iconic band truly think that, of all people, Chester Bennington is replaceable?” wrote Brent Smith in an Instagram post, the lead singer of hard rock bank Shinedown.
Besides, while Emily was so good with the new song but as soon as she started covering songs like Numb and In the End, truth be told, l honestly thought no one can do it the way Chester did.
And most importantly here are some controversies in the air that grabbed fans’ attention.
The accusations against Emily Armstrong
Armstrong faced heavy criticism for her ties to the Church of Scientology and support for Danny Masterson, who was convicted of sexually assaulting two women and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala, lead singer of Mars Volta, and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, one of Masterson’s accusers, have also spoken out against Armstrong.
Bixler-Zavalare recently took to Dead Sara’s Instagram page to share a post he had written last year, raising a question: “Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend.”
Bixler-Zavala and Carnell-Bixler, both former Scientologists, have said the church harassed them after they accused Masterson of sexual assault.
Even Chester’s son Jaime Bennington slammed new vocalist Emily Armstrong saying Linkin Park has “failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base” and that the music group’s recent actions “are not something people should acclimate to.” He also said that the band had “betrayed the trust” of the fanbase who “trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention.” He concluded, “Now you’re just senile and tone deaf.”
The singer identifies as queer—something that Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard described as a perversion. For now, she has not commented on her ties to Scientology in any capacity.
The Future of Linkin Park
As the debate continues, one thing is certain: Linkin Park’s comeback has sparked strong emotions across their fanbase. While some may struggle with the idea of anyone stepping into Chester’s shoes, others are eager to see where the band’s new chapter leads.
Love her or hate her, in the end, it doesn’t even matter. What truly matters is that Linkin Park is back after seven long years. Let’s focus on enjoying the music again.