Emily Armstrong, formerly of Dead Sara, has been officially announced as the new lead singer of Linkin Park. The revelation came during a livestream event on September 6, where the band also introduced their forthcoming album titled 'From Zero' and performed a new single, 'The Emptiness Machine'. The announcement follows a period of speculation fueled by a mysterious countdown shared by the band.
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Armstrong discussed the emotional weight of filling the shoes of the late Chester Bennington, who passed away in 2017. "I would love to do him proud," she said, reflecting on how Bennington's legacy influences her approach to the band's music moving forward. She expressed initial trepidation about stepping into the role, stating, "I definitely didn't want to go there and be like, oh, I'm the singer. I just looked at it as what could be a good fit."
Armstrong revealed that Linkin Park's iconic 2000 debut album 'Hybrid Theory' inspired her to pursue singing, admitting that she originally started as a guitarist. She recalled the impact of the album saying, "That was the moment where I was like, I want to sing and scream 'One Step Closer'".
Linkin Park will kick off a short world tour on September 11 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with additional dates to follow in cities including New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogotá. The tour will consist of six shows total, with tickets now available for purchase on their official website.
The band also announced some lineup changes, including the addition of drummer Colin Brittain, following founding member Rob Bourdon's departure. Guitarist Brad Delson will sit out of the upcoming shows but will remain involved in the band's creative process.
Controversy has surrounded Armstrong’s addition to Linkin Park amid allegations from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta regarding her ties to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson. In response to the backlash, Armstrong clarified her past support for Masterson, stating, "I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes."
The situation continues to develop, with representatives from both Linkin Park and The Mars Volta approached for comment.