Linkin Park reform with new members, album and tour

Linkin Park have returned with new members, a new album and a world tour, seven years after they pressed pause following the death of singer Chester Bennington.

The US rock band yesterday (5 September) held a live stream concert showcasing new co-vocalist Emily Armstrong (the veteran leader of power-rock outfit Dead Sara) and drummer Colin Brittain (Sueco, All Time Low). Brittain replaces founding member and drummer Rob Bourdon, who has left the band.

The new recruits join returning members Mike Shinoda (co-vocalist), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave Farrell aka Phoenix (bass) and Joe Hahn (DJ) in Linkin Park’s new lineup.

The livestream event was broadcast at London’s Shoreditch High Street Station and New York’s Times Square. Fans who were invited to attend were made to sign a waiver beforehand to ensure that the details weren’t shared until the event kicked off.

Linkin Park also announced a new album From Zero (due 15 November), which is their first record since 2017’s One More Light – the last to feature Bennington. The album is previewed by one single, The Emptiness Machine, which is on streaming platforms now.

“Linkin Park is one of the biggest touring rock bands of our time”

The six-piece will showcase the new album on a world tour consisting of six arena shows between September and November this year.

The Live Nation-produced tour will kick off on 11 September at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and conclude exactly two months later at Coliseo Medplus in Bogota.

Other stops include Barclays Center in New York (US), Barclays Arena in Hamburg (DE), The O2 in London (UK) and Inspire Arena in Seoul (KR). American singer-songwriter Grandson will support the band on various dates.

One of the biggest rock groups of the 21st century, Linkin Park has grossed over $120 million during their career, according to Billboard Boxscore.

“Linkin Park is one of the biggest touring rock bands of our time,” John Marx, partner and agent at WME, which the band quietly joined earlier this year, told the publication. “The excitement their fans will have, being able to see and celebrate them after seven years, will be massive.”

Linkin Park are not the first band to continue after the death of their lead singer. Other notable acts to do so include The Doors (Jim Morrison), Queen (Freddie Mercury), AC/DC (Bon Scott), Stone Temple Pilots (Scott Weiland), Lynyrd Skynyrd (Ronnie Van Zant), Alice in Chains (Layne Staley), INXS (Michael Hutchence) and Thin Lizzy (Phil Lynott).

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