Linkin Park is making a return. The iconic rap-rock band announced Thursday that it has reunited, seven years after the 2017 death of frontman Chester Bennington, with plans to tour and release a new studio album this fall. The band’s new vocalist is Emily Armstrong, formerly of the Los Angeles rock band Dead Sara, and Colin Brittain joins as their new drummer, replacing Rob Bourdon. The rest of the lineup includes founding members Mike Shinoda (rapper and producer), guitarist Brad Delson, DJ Joe Hahn, and bassist Phoenix, who formed the group in Agoura Hills back in 1996.
Their upcoming 11-track album, From Zero, is set for release on November 15, marking their first record since 2017’s One More Light, which dropped just two months before Bennington’s tragic passing. The album’s lead single, The Emptiness Machine, was released on Thursday
In a statement, the four original members — who initially named the band Xero before Bennington joined and it became Linkin Park — shared that they’ve been reconnecting creatively over the past few years. According to Shinoda, the album’s title, From Zero, reflects both their early beginnings and the new journey ahead. “Sonically and emotionally, it speaks to the past, present, and future — blending our signature sound with something fresh and full of life,” he said. “This album was made with deep appreciation for our new and long-standing bandmates, friends, family, and fans.”
Shinoda also expressed pride in what Linkin Park has become and excitement for the path forward. The band will kick off a series of six global concerts starting with a show at Inglewood’s Kia Forum on September 11. Other stops include New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogotá.
In 2017, the band paid tribute to Bennington with a memorial show at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring performances with members of Blink-182, No Doubt, Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me the Horizon, and System of a Down.
Emily Armstrong is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Los Angeles-based rock band Dead Sara. Known for her powerful and dynamic voice, Armstrong has drawn comparisons to iconic rock singers due to her raw energy and commanding stage presence. Dead Sara, formed in 2005, gained attention with their hit single Weatherman in 2012, showcasing Armstrong’s vocal prowess. Armstrong’s collaboration with Linkin Park as their new lead vocalist marks a significant moment in her career, blending her hard-hitting rock style with the band’s signature rap-rock sound.
