7 Years After Chester Bennington’s Death, Linkin Park Is Back With A New Singer

Linkin Park is making a highly anticipated comeback with a new album and tour, marking a new chapter for the band. They’ve introduced Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong as their new co-vocalist and released a fresh single titled “The Emptiness Machine.” Armstrong steps into the role previously filled by the late Chester Bennington, joining founding members Mike Shinoda (co-vocalist, multi-instrumentalist), Joe Hahn (turntablist), Brad Delson (guitar), Phoenix (bass), and new drummer Colin Brittain. Notably, original drummer Rob Bourdon will not be participating in the reunion.

The band’s six-date From Zero tour kicks off on September 11th at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The tour will make stops in major cities including Brooklyn, New York; Hamburg, Germany; London, England; Seoul, South Korea; and will conclude with a performance in Bogota, Colombia, on November 11th. Mike Shinoda shared with Billboard that this tour is just the beginning, as the band plans to “tour heavily” in 2025, signaling their full-fledged return to the stage.

Fans eager to see Linkin Park live can purchase tickets starting Saturday, September 7th, through Ticketmaster, with pre-sales beginning on Friday. Given the band’s strong fan base, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. For those who miss the initial sale, StubHub offers another option, where all tickets are backed by StubHub’s FanProtect program, guaranteeing the purchase. However, as with any secondary ticketing platform, prices may vary based on demand.

From Zero is set to be released on November 15th and will feature 11 tracks. The announcement is being celebrated with a special livestream performance, giving fans a taste of what’s to come. Rumors of a Linkin Park reunion had been circulating throughout the year, especially after reports suggested the band was searching for a female vocalist. Recently, a countdown on their website hinted at a big reveal, which was delayed last week, adding to the suspense. Some speculated that Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley would be joining the band, but he quickly denied those rumors.

Reflecting on this new era for the band, Mike Shinoda explained the significance of the album title: “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.”

This will be Linkin Park’s first major tour since Chester Bennington’s tragic death in July 2017. While the band held a tribute concert later that year, they have largely stayed out of the spotlight until now. At their peak, Linkin Park was one of the most influential rock bands in the world, known for their unique blend of rock, electronic, and hip-hop elements. Their debut albums, Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteora (2003) became multiplatinum successes, producing unforgettable hits like “One Step Closer,” “Crawling,” “In the End,” “Numb,” and “Faint.”

Discussing the new lineup and direction, Shinoda expressed his enthusiasm:

“The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created. We feel really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together. We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for and still exploring new ones.”

Fans can look forward to the live stream performance and the music video for their new single, “The Emptiness Machine” below. Also, check out the complete list of tour dates and the album tracklist:

Linkin Park 2024 Dates:
September:
11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
22 – Hamburg, Germany @ Barclays Arena
24 – London, UK @ The O2
28 – Seoul, South Korea @ INSPIRE Arena

November 11 – Bogota, Colombia @ Coliseo Medplus

From Zero Tracklist:
01. From Zero (Intro)
02. The Emptiness Machine
03. Cut The Bridge
04. Heavy Is The Crown
05. Over Each Other
06. Casualty
07. Overflow
08. Two Faced
09. Stained
10. IGYEIH
11. Good Things Go