What band comes to mind when you think of “nu metal?” If you’re anything like me, chances are high that your mind conjures up the name “Linkin Park.” Even though bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot had achieved mainstream success before Linkin Park had even struck their first record deal, the band’s debut album “Hybrid Theory” out performed all the records of commercial success that were also out at the time. Released in October 2000, “Hybrid Theory” was the best-selling album of the next year. It has sold over 32 million copies worldwide over its lifetime. Nu metal, the mixture of metal music and hip hop, has always had a controversial reputation, but there’s no denying that “Hybrid Theory” remains a legendary album.
The success of “Hybrid Theory” is due to many reasons, but one of the biggest is the unique voice of the lead singer, Chester Bennington. Bennington joined the band two years after its founding in 1999, however while he was a member he struggled with severe depression and substance addiction. He remained with the band for the next 18 years before tragically ending his life.
For millions of fans all over the world, his death was an enormous tragedy. It was the end of Linkin Park, because Chester Bennington was Linkin Park.
Or, at least that’s how it felt to fan for years.
Of course, Bennington was not the only reason for Linkin Park’s success. Many people cite Mike Shinoda, one of the band’s founding members, rapping abilities to be equally as important as Bennington’s vocals. But, without Bennington’s high-pitched vocals on heart-rending songs such as “One Step Closer,” “Crawling” and “Papercut” the tracks just wouldn’t have felt the same.
With Bennington, the band released multiple other records – all gaining mainstream success, as well. The group has inspired many other bands over time, including the Grammy-nominated group Bring Me the Horizon, but still no equivalent to the Californian ensemble has emerged.
Since the hiatus, rumors and questions have come and gone about the possible return of Linkin Park. Most of the time Shinoda’s answer was the same. That now ‘wasn’t the time,’ and that they ‘hadn’t worked out the emotional and creative math for that.’
However, in the spring of 2024 this all seemed to change. Billboard reported in April that Linkin Park planned to return with a new female vocalist. By August, the band launched a 100-hour countdown until their return on their website. Still, after the first countdown was over, they launched another. And finally, on September 5th Linkin Park hosted a live-streamed concert where they not only announced their return but also confirmed a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong. They announced a tour starting in Inglewood, California on September 11th.
Before the concert, the band faced a lot of controversy because of their new lead singer. Part of that hate was misogynistic, which the internet is full of nowadays. Some people couldn’t stand the fact that the band had chosen a woman to replace Bennington. However, there were other – much more serious – things to consider. Emily Armstrong was strongly criticized for her connections with the Church of Scientology and for her perceived support of convicted rapist, actor Danny Masterson.
One of the most outspoken critics about Armstrong’s debut was Bennington’s son, Jaime Bennington. Bennington blasted the band online for “erasing his father’s legacy” and “betraying the trust of the fans.” Later, Armstrong posted a statement in response to Bennington’s comments, saying that she made a mistake trusting Masterson, who she previously considered to be her friend. Although she didn’t comment on her connections with the Church of Scientology or what she thinks about the strong opposition towards psychiatry by scientologists, Armstrong posted that she hadn’t been in touch with Masterson after the conviction. “To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes,” she wrote.
For me, a 90s baby, Linkin Park’s comeback was something I never thought would happen. “Hybrid Theory” was one of the first albums I ever bought with my own money, and I still believe that “In the End” is one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. It’s a perfectly moody composition that tells the perfect, sad story. Or, so it felt to me when I was a tween living in Finland. The lyrics are a little bit banal, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary for rock music. Actually, one of the strengths Linkin Park has shown is their ability to embrace the banality of their songs. They don’t care about what the haters say, and I can proudly say that “In the End” is perfect just as it is.
That’s why I wanted to see Linkin Park’s comeback concert. It was the first time I have ever had the chance to see the band perform live.
I had mixed feelings walking into the Kia Forum on September 11. I wanted to see the new start of Linkin Park, and if the songs could give me the same feeling they did when I was a teenager. I also wanted to see if the band would address the controversies on stage.
Now that I’ve seen the show, I can honestly say that I have rarely experienced such a strong feeling of nostalgia as the concert offered to me. The opening song “Somewhere I Belong,” swept me away, and for the next two hours I couldn’t do anything more than enjoy the feeling of watching my favorite childhood band perform in front of a live crowd for the first time in seven years. Armstrong’s vocal performance was great. She didn’t try to be “new Chester.” She performed the songs in her own style, and made them sound like they were her own. The whole band, especially Shinoda, who did most of the talking during the show, seemed to be overwhelmed by the fact that there was a sold out arena chanting for Linkin Park once again. When the piano lead of “In The End” began to play, I felt goosebumps.
Based on the concert it has become clear to me that Linkin Park has found itself again. After all the ups and downs, the band has a clear future ahead of them – without Bennington. Still, there are obstacles ahead. Shinoda, Armstrong and others can’t ignore the strong criticism they have gotten. At some point, it may be wise for them to address the situation, and even try to make peace with Bennington’s family. That was a key element that was missed during their comeback concert. Maybe it wasn’t the right place and the right time.
Linkin Park will release their new album “From Zero” in November 2024. During the concert, Shinoda made it clear that this is the new start of the band. However, if they really care about their fans, the “new start” should be accompanied by honesty about the situation with Armstrong. Their transparency could make Linkin Park as meaningful of a band to the next generations as it was to me – and not just a controversial nostalgia act.