The iconic rock band Linkin Park has announced a major line-up change as they prepare for their highly anticipated new album From Zero and a world tour. The group, which tragically lost lead singer Chester Bennington in 2017, has introduced Emily Armstrong as their new co-vocalist. Armstrong, known for her work as the frontwoman of alt-rock band Dead Sara, will share vocal duties with long-time member Mike Shinoda.
Joining the new line-up is Colin Brittain, who takes over as the band’s drummer, replacing Rob Bourdon. Brittain, a seasoned musician, has previously collaborated with rock heavyweights such as Papa Roach and All Time Low.
In an interview with Billboard, Shinoda explained Bourdon’s departure, saying: “Rob told us a few years ago that he wanted to create some distance from the band. It was clear he was showing up less and less, and the fans noticed too. While it’s sad as a friend, we all wish him happiness.”
Armstrong, who grew up in Los Angeles, has long admired Linkin Park. She reflected on the profound impact the band’s 2000 album Hybrid Theory had on her early music career. “One Step Closer was the song that made me realize I wanted to scream as a singer. That album was everything to me. I skated and moshed to it—it was a huge influence,” Armstrong shared.
Linkin Park’s new chapter mirrors the experiences of other major bands that have appointed new lead singers following the loss of a frontman, including Alice in Chains, Sublime, and Queen, who continue to tour with Adam Lambert.
Despite Bennington’s tragic death, Linkin Park has remained one of the most successful bands of the streaming age. Their greatest hits collection Papercuts ranks among Spotify’s top 10 most-streamed albums of all time, with over 9 million streams per day.
As the band embarks on this new journey, they are set to kick off their world tour with performances in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, Seoul, and London in September, with a stop in Bogotá in November. This marks their first live tour since Bennington’s death at age 41.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the band’s first single from their upcoming album, titled The Emptiness Machine, which debuted during an hour-long live-streamed concert on Thursday, marking the official launch of Linkin Park’s new line-up.
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