Linkin Park made a dramatic return on September 6 with an exclusive livestream event, unveiling their comeback and introducing their new lineup. The band welcomed Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara as their new vocalist and Colin Brittain as their new drummer. Their set featured the debut of a new song titled “The Emptiness Machine,” a medley of classic hits, and an exciting reveal of their forthcoming album, From Zero, set to release through Warner Bros. on November 15, 2024.
However, the excitement was quickly overshadowed when Armstrong’s past connection to Scientology came to light. This revelation, coupled with her association with convicted individuals, sparked significant criticism and skepticism among fans. You can find Armstrong’s statement here.
As the band re-enters the spotlight, the focus on Armstrong’s history and its potential impact on the band’s future has intensified. There has been notable pushback from fans regarding the decision to bring Armstrong in as the replacement for Chester Bennington.
In response to the criticism, Mike Shinoda addressed concerns in a Discord server, stating:
“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.”
Shinoda acknowledged the challenge, adding:
“I understand this. We need to give space for everyone who is shocked/processing. It is DIFFICULT.” He continued, “Seeing me and Em together, shoulder to shoulder, brought up SO many feelings for people in our crew and management. Happy and sad at the same time! So complex!”
Following Shinoda’s comments, Jaime Bennington, the son of the late Chester Bennington, voiced his disapproval of Emily Armstrong and the band’s recent decisions. In a Reddit thread on FauxMoi, Jaime expressed frustration over the band’s transformation, particularly given Armstrong’s controversial past.
Jaime criticized the band for allegedly disregarding Chester Bennington’s legacy and failing to acknowledge the diverse fanbase. He called out the band for not addressing issues related to Chester, his family, and the victims of Danny Masterson.
He publicly challenged Shinoda, stating:
“What you’ve done is not something people are just going to acclimate to. It’s not a shock that people need to process and understand.”
Jaime accused the band of betraying the trust of fans and failing to live up to promises of being a positive change. In a revealing Instagram Story post, Jaime claimed he overheard Shinoda mentioning to Zane Lowe that their new album had been in the works as early as 2019, and possibly as far back as 2017—the year Chester Bennington tragically passed away. Jaime questioned the timing and intentions behind the album’s release, expressing his disapproval and stating emphatically:
“I DO NOT SUPPORT.”
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