In a new interview with Billboard, Linkin Park’s new vocalist Emily Armstrong spoke out about replacing Chester Bennington.
“There is so much to this band — this is a very, very important band to this world,” the singer replied when asked if she felt pressure. “And the integrity of the band was really helpful in keeping me grounded. There were so many of those moments where it was like, ‘Holy sh*t,’ when you talk about the size of the shows, stuff like that. I’m on cloud nine, but then it hits you that there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Armstrong continued, “And going into these [older] songs, by a singular voice that’s beloved by so many people — it’s like, ‘How do I be myself in this, but also carry on the emotion and what he brought in this band?’ That was the work that I had to do. The feeling, the energy, was already there as we were doing the album, so it’s just incorporating that feeling.”
“[I had] to identify what the song meant to me as a singer, not just as someone listening to it. You got to marry the technical part and the emotion,” Emily added. “It’s Chester’s voice, and it’s mine, but I want it to still feel the way I feel when I listen to the song, because that’s what the fans love. There is a passion to it that I’m hoping I can fill.”
Linkin Park recently announced that Armstrong and drummer, Colin Brittain joined them as new members. The band also released its first single, ‘The Emptiness Machine’ in seven years. Armstrong replaces Bennington, while Brittain fills in for Rob Bourdon. Original members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, and Joe Hahn reunited for a new album, ‘From Zero,’ and a few special shows.
“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,” Shinoda said in a statement about the new album.
He noted, “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.”
‘From Zero’ will arrive on November 15. Bennington’s widow, Talinda Bennington, supports Linkin Park’s comeback with a new singer. Talinda reacted with heart and fire emojis on Armstrong’s Instagram post.