Linkin Park has revealed the reasons behind drummer Rob Bourdon's absence from the band's new iteration during a recent comeback concert. Bourdon, who has been a founding member of Linkin Park since its inception in 1996, was replaced on drums by Colin Brittain, marking a significant transition for the band. During an interview with Billboard, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda noted that Bourdon had expressed a desire to create distance from the band a few years prior, which ultimately led to his decreased visibility and involvement in band activities since 2017. According to Shinoda, Bourdon's absence was particularly noticeable during significant releases, such as the Hybrid Theory re-release in 2020 and the recent single 'Papercuts.'
The replacement drummer Colin Brittain, who has previously worked with bands like A Day to Remember and Papa Roach, is set to perform in upcoming shows. Shinoda emphasized that Brittain's diverse musical skills—playing guitar, bass, and keyboards, as well as producing—align with the creative vision of Linkin Park. Additionally, the band is also introducing Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara to fill in for late vocalist Chester Bennington.
This revamped lineup is launching a world tour starting September 11 in Los Angeles and plans to release their new album, From Zero, on November 15. The tour will cover several major cities, including New York, London, and Seoul. Fans are looking forward to seeing how the band embraces this new chapter as they prepare for their 2024 tour and bring new music to their audience.
For more details on the tour dates, visit Metal Hammer.