Linkin Park returned from hiatus with new vocalist Emily Armstrong replacing Chester Bennington, who passed away in 2017. The band announced their comeback on September 5 through live stream event. They recently unveiled a new single titled “The Emptiness Machine” from their upcoming album From Zero. This marks the band’s first release of new music in several years. The band is set to release their upcoming album on November 15th.
However, the addition of Emily Armstrong to the band has met with immense criticism. Some fans are not convinced that Emily is the suitable replacement for Chester. Linkin Park’s vocalist Mike Shinoda has addressed the concerns and expressed his understanding of the public shock and outrage while urging for respectful discussion.
He wrote: “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 disrepect me, and you will lose my respect in return”
On the other hand, Chester Bennington’s widow Talinda Bennington has approved of the band choosing Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist.
Meanwhile, former Scientologist Chrissie Carnell Bixler, who is the wife of The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Avala, recently lambasted Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong due to her ties to the Church of Scientology. She stated that Armstrong has ‘no right to fill the shoes of Chester Bennington, a true advocate.’ She also posted several other allegations.
Armstrong replacing Chester on Linkin Park’s new album, From Zero, has received a lot of criticism and even sparked controversy. Critics pointed out Armstrong’s association to the Church of Scientology and her alleged friendship with actor Danny Masterson, who was publicly accused by several women in November of 2017, including Carnell-Bixler. Masterson was later convicted.
Emily Armstrong reacts
Taking to her Instagram account, Emily Armstrong posted a message. She is quite excited as Linkin Park ushers in a new era and that she is a part of it. She wrote: “I’m so beyond excited for this next chapter!! The love and support does not go unnoticed. See you all soon”
Linkin Park will go on a tour that will kick off at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on September 11th. Other stops include New York, Germany, London, South Korea and Colombia. Linkin Park’s LP Underground fan club pre-sales began on September 6th and general tickets went live on September 7th. Some fans believe ticket prices are expensive.
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