There has been quite a bit of commotion lately about the countdown on Linkin Park’s official channels. Was a comeback announced after all? The rumor mill was working overtime when it turned out that Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley had a similar clock running on Instagram, but that was quickly debunked by the man himself. Speculation abounded, confirmations were lacking. Now there is finally white smoke.
The Emptiness Machineis the first release since the passing of Chester Bennington in 2017. This single introduces a new yet cautiously familiar sound and at the same time new co-vocalist Emily Armstrong, known from the band Dead Sara, and drummer Colin Brittain.
The combination of Armstrong’s vocals with rapper Mike Shinoda’s recognizable style creates a refreshing dynamic within the band, but also transforms it into an inevitable variation on other female-fronted bands in the genre. Think Paramore. And you gotta love that, of course.
The track has been received with moderate enthusiasm by fans here and there, and to be honest, we were also more enthusiastic about the previous collaboration Bleed it Out with singer Bonnie Fraser (Stand Atlantic). But then again, making a comparison with the well-known is perhaps as inevitable as it is inappropriate; Bennington’s big shoes are hard to fill. The choice for the timbre of a lady behind the microphone is not so crazy after all.
The comeback single opens with a dark, atmospheric tone that quickly transitions into Linkin Park’s signature heavy guitar work. Armstrong’s voice is mostly functional at this stage of the group, adding a layer that is meant to be raw and emotional, at times reminiscent of the energy of the band’s early days.
Lyrical explores The Emptiness Machine themes of loss and rebuilding, which resonates well with the difficult period the band went through after Bennington’s death.
The new sound marks a transition for the popular band, who are clearly averse to half measures by immediately announcing a new album and a world tour in this new form. And of course: Emily is no Chester. But then Adam was no Freddie, Phil was no Peter and David was no Syd.
