Linkin Park Co-Founder Explains Decision To Reunite With New Singer

Last week, Linkin Park shared their first new music video in seven years and announced their new lineup which includes Dead Sara singer Emily Armstrong and new drummer Colin Britain. A new album, “From Zero,” is coming Nov. 15, and band co-founder Mike Shinoda recently spoke with KROQ explaining the decision to reunite seven years after the passing of singer Chester Bennington.

“We didn’t have like a moment where we said, ‘Hey, let’s get the band back together,’” Shinoda said. “We didn’t have a moment where we said, ‘Let’s try out singers.’ People have suggested stuff like that — not suggested as much as, like, ‘Hey, is this an idea that you’d like?’ They floated things by us…. A couple of people were, like, ‘What if you did like an ‘American Idol’, ‘Voice’-style competition and the winner is the singer?’ That’s the opposite of what we wanted to do, or the opposite of what we felt was the right thing, because our band is built on natural chemistry and relationships.”

Shinoda said that a few years ago the surviving band members began making new music, not necessarily with the idea that it would be under the name Linkin Park.

“(We said) ‘Let’s just get together and be creative and have fun,’’” Shinoda explained. “And that’s what we did. So, back then, it was more about just spending more time together. And then, the more time evolved into songs and the songs evolved into, ‘Let’s invite some other people in and see how that feels.’ And eventually, we got to the point where it’s, like, ‘That girl, Emily, the stuff we make with her is special. I don’t know why it’s special. It just feels special.”

“We’ve all talked about it with each other and with her a million times, and we’re still talking about it. One difficult thing that people are experiencing is just that they’ve heard Linkin Park for so long with Chester’s voice and the idea of somebody else being in that role, it feels really different. I know that in the context of the music that’s not released yet, I know that I love it. I think her voice is incredible.”

“And the best thing for people who have such a strong connection to Chester to know, just to know about me, is that Chester was a one-of-a-kind person and a one-of-a-kind voice, and Emily is also a one-of-a-kind person and a one-of-a-kind voice. She’s not trying to be him. She’s trying to be her. And it so happens that I think she singing on these songs sounds like Linkin Park.”

The reunion didn’t come without its detractors, however. Some pointed out Armstrong’s previous connection to Scientology and her past friendship with disgraced actor Danny Masterson . Armstrong responded saying: “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.”