Linkin Park recently returned from hiatus and they have reunited for the first time since their iconic frontman Chester Bennington’s tragic passing in 2017. Emily Armstrong was introduced as their new vocalist replacing him. However, she has faced massive backlash while filling in the shoes of Chester. Linkin Park also debuted their first single in seven years, The Emptiness Machine, which serves as the lead track for their latest album, ‘From Zero.’
Speaking with Musicweek, Armstrong spoke about dealing with the public scrutiny.
“When I see someone else going through something, I think it affects me more than actually being the recipient,” she says quietly of slings and arrows she’s no stranger to, having been in bands for 20-plus years.
“It’s weird and I didn’t think I would feel that way. It’s almost like I was built for it – there’s a part of my personality that [means] I’m able to take it.”
“We talked about the scrutiny about two months before the launch show,” adds Shinoda.
“And we said, ‘It’s going to get nasty. We don’t even know what form of nasty we will get, but at the very least it will be: this music sucks, you guys suck – we want something that this is not.’ And we’ve had that on every record we’ve put out since the first one.”
“I get so mad at anything directed at Colin and Emily,” said Farrell. “But [anything directed] at Mike and Joe, also.
The band is a protective circle, which is one of the best things about a band – you can huddle and say, ‘OK, this is what we’re doing, it’s us against everybody.’ You’ve got to be able to close ranks and have everybody’s back.”
“[Emily and Colin] have had their fair share of getting their ass kicked in life and been persistent enough to keep going,” adds Hahn.
“So they’re pretty resilient and tough.”
