Starting ‘From Zero’ 7 Years Later: Linkin Park Reforms with New Singer, New Tour, New Album and New Single
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been seven years since Chester Bennington took his own life.
Since that time, Linkin Park, the band he fronted, has been mostly on hiatus, releasing best-of albums, remixes and previously unreleased tracks, but no new music. That hiatus is over, though.
At a live-streamed event/concert, the band announced that Emily Armstrong of the band Dead Sara would join Linkin Park as Mike Shinoda’s new co-lead singer, and that Colin Brittain would be replacing long-time drummer Rob Bourdon, who decided to step away from the band.
Armstrong comes to the band after singing for alt-rock band Dead Sara. Brittain is a songwriter and producer who has collaborated with bands like Papa Roach, One OK Rock and All Time Low.
Thursday’s hour-plus live event featured a performance of Linkin Park’s new single, “The Emptiness Machine.” Linkin Park also used the event to announce a new album, From Zero, which will be released on November 15th. This is the group’s first full-length album since 2017’s One More Light, which was issued two months prior to Bennington’s death.
Here is the video of the performance, which featured a 100-hour countdown leading up to the start.
Shinoda issued a press release that explained the new chapter in the band’s history. “Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking. Sonically and emotionally, it is about past, present, and future — embracing our signature sound, but new and full of life. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and longtime bandmates, our friends, our family, and our fans. We are proud of what Linkin Park has become over the years, and excited about the journey ahead.”
Linkin Park will also embark on a short international tour, playing concerts at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on September 11th and New York City’s Barclays Center on September 16th, followed by shows in Germany, London, South Korea and Colombia.