Linkin Park vocalist Emily Armstrong has yet again grabbed the attention of fans as she’s accused of using backing tracks and lip syncing at a recent show in Seoul on their new song.
I applauded Linkin Park's return with Emily from the beginning and will continue to do so. But what's that awful playback while she's chewing gum? I don't know, it's too strong to watch…#LinkinPark #LinkinParkSeoul #FromZeroWorldTour pic.twitter.com/RXkTzPxGnF
— desca (@desca_talogado) September 29, 2024
Linkin Park recently reunited after the tragic passing of Chester Bennington, in 2017. They recently released a new single titled “The Emptiness Machine” from their upcoming album From Zero which marks the band’s first release of new music in several years.
The addition of Emily Armstrong to the band garnered mixed reactions from the fans and Mike Shinoda has also addressed the same. Meanwhile, she has received support from Chester’s widow, Talinda Bennington. She seemingly approved of the band’s choice to replace Chester. But, Chester’s son, Jamie Bennington expressed his distaste.
Meanwhile, Mike Shinoda recalled hearing Linkin Park’s new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, for the first time.
In an interview with BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show, guitarist Mike Shinoda reflected on hearing Emily Armstrong’s voice for the first time. He noted the intense passion in her voice that struck a chord with him:
“Her band that she was in was called Dead Sara, and I heard a song called the ‘Weatherman’. And her singing, just the way she approaches the way she sings, the passion was the driver and the style was a function of — it was the vehicle that got it out of her system. And I always love that.”
Shinoda continued, speaking about Linkin Park’s past and future:
“The album comes out the second week of November. And I hope that when people hear it, they really understand this is not meant to be a redo or a rewrite of Linkin Park. This is intended to be the new chapter of Linkin Park. It’s, like, the old chapter was a great chapter and we love that chapter. And that ran its course.”
“And now we were faced with the challenge of, ‘Okay, if you start from scratch with another voice, what do you do?’ And Emily’s voice, like when she sings the thing, man, it’s like the passion… She’s a hundred percent her. That’s the best part is she’s not trying to be Chester. She’s not trying to be anybody else. She’s her, and that’s why it works.”