Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park is unclear about whether the band will create new recordings of songs featuring their late vocalist Chester Bennington. This uncertainty follows last Thursday's livestream event during which the band introduced Emily Armstrong, former lead singer of Dead Sara, as their new frontwoman. The unexpected return also saw the debut of their new track, "The Emptiness Machine," alongside performances of classic hits from their catalog.
The announcement was highly anticipated, coming after weeks of speculation sparked by a cryptic countdown revealed to fans. In addition to the new music, Linkin Park revealed an upcoming album titled "From Zero" and information about a worldwide tour. Armstrong steps into the role previously held by Bennington, who passed away in 2017, leading to questions among fans about the potential reinterpretation of the band's older material.
One concerned fan inquired whether new recordings of earlier songs would be forthcoming, to which Shinoda replied with uncertainty. Amid the positive reception of Armstrong's appointment, controversy arose due to her alleged ties to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson. These connections were brought to light following a statement from Cedric Bixler-Zavala, musician and outspoken critic of Masterson, which resurfaced over the weekend.
In response, Armstrong addressed the situation on her Instagram, clarifying her past interactions regarding a court appearance related to Masterson and emphasizing her lack of support for him. However, the backlash continued, with Jaime Bennington, Chester Bennington's son, expressing his disappointment in his father's bandmates for their decision to bring Armstrong into the fold. Despite the turmoil, the band remains committed to their direction moving forward.