Emily Armstrong talks fitting into Linkin Park and Chester Bennington’s legacy: “I would love to do him proud”

NME

Emily Armstrong, Linkin Park‘s new singer, has spoken about the late Chester Bennington’s legacy, saying she would “love to do him proud”.

• READ MORE: “This is not the end, this is not the beginning”: Linkin Park look to the future with new faces

On Friday, (September 6), Linkin Park announced their comeback through a livestream event, where they debuted Armstrong, formerly of Dead Sara, as their new singer.

The announcement followed weeks of speculation from fans after the band shared a mysterious countdown teasing potential news. Their surprise return saw them perform a new song, ‘The Emptiness Machine’, a few Linkin Park classics, and announce a new album ‘From Zero’ along with a short supporting world tour with six shows across the globe.

Now, Armstrong has spoken about the process of joining the band and what it means to follow in the footsteps of Bennington, who died in 2017.

Speaking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Armstrong said she was initially apprehensive about taking on the role. “I mean, there was a lot of feeling,” she said. “I definitely didn’t want to go there and be like, oh, I’m the singer, or I could be the singer. It was just like, what is good for this band as a fan? What would be the ideal voice or energy or what is that fit?

“I took myself out of the equation and I just looked at it as what could be a good fit? And I held onto that question for a bit as I was going in and singing and stuff,” she said. “That’s when the thoughts would trickle being like, ‘I mean, this would be really fun. This could work’. And then it’s like, oh my God, holy shit. When you start to have that moment, it’s like, whoa…”

The singer also shared her experiences as a fan of Linkin Park, saying that their 2000 debut album ‘Hybrid Theory’ was her “favourite”, during a period when she was starting to play in bands. “That was the moment where I was like, I want to sing and scream ‘One Step Closer’.

“I was like, I could do that. And at the time, I wasn’t even a good singer. I was a guitar player in a band, and I just loved being in a band and I was like, I could do that. So of course it gets to this point and just being like, this is crazy.”

She went on to say she “would’ve never imagined” becoming the new singer.

Lowe then asked her what role Bennington’s legacy plays in her rendition of the band’s older songs, to which she responded: “In the side of the feelings and the emotions of it, I would love to do him proud.”

Check out the full interview below.

The band’s upcoming short world tour will consist of six arena shows across the world between September and November this year. The tour will kick off at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on September 11. Other stops include New York, Germany, London, South Korea and Colombia.

Tickets are on sale now via the official Linkin Park website.

Linkin Park’s ‘From Zero’ 2024 tour dates are:

During the livestream, the band announced the addition of drummer Colin Brittain, following the departure of founding member Rob Bourdon.

Later, founding guitarist Brad Delson also shared that he wouldn’t be joining the band on their upcoming world tour, but will continue to work with them on a behind-the-scenes basis, including participating in the creation of new music.

Meanwhile, there’s been controversy surrounding Armstrong’s addition to the band. Though initially, the reception was largely positive among fellow artists and fans, a message The Mars Volta and former At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala sent to her has since recirculated, which seemingly alleges she has ties to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.

Following substantial backlash, Armstrong has since issued a statement on her former support of Masterson. “Hi, I’m Emily,” she wrote in an Instagram story post yesterday (September 7). “I’m new to so many of you, and I wanted to clear the air about something that happened a while back.

“Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since.

“Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty. 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.”

NME has reached out to representatives of Linkin Park and The Mars Volta for comment.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

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