Linkin Parkthere is controversy after the group’s reunion, which was announced as a surprise by Mike Shinoda: a concert in Los Angeles where the new singer was introduced, Emily Armstrong.
Choosing the name
The controversy arose over the decision to bring the band back on tour with the name Linkin Parkespecially because in addition to Chester Bennington two founding members are also missing, the drummer Rob Burdon and the guitarist Brad Delson. “If we used another name, we would be idiots.”, he commented Mike Shinodawho then asked fans to wait until the album’s release From Zero coming November 15th. “When they listen to it, they’ll understand why we did it. There’s no other way to define us, we’re Linkin Park”. The title of the new album is a reference to the first name chosen by Mike Shinoda for the band in 1996, before the arrival of Chester Bennington, Xero: “It’s our way of starting over, of returning to the music we loved.. It’s a high energy record, it has a lot of guitars and it will be a lot of fun to play live. I can’t wait to play these songs to the public.”.
Chester Bennington’s son
The most incisive warning, however, came from the son of Chester Benningtonwho commented: “Mike Shinoda has betrayed everyone’s trust, and is erasing my father’s legacy in real time.”. What is controversial is precisely the choice of Emily Armstrong. The singer, linked to Scientology, and is accused by several people of having supported the actor Danny Mastersonconvicted of rape. “You chose your friend Emily without making any statement that clarifies. There are many victims among Linkin Park fans, and you did not consider the consequences of hiring someone like Emily. All this during Suicide Prevention Month”.
What are the main criticisms surrounding Linkin Park’s reunion with a new lead singer?
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Linkin Park’s Reunion Sparks Controversy: A Look into the Backlash
The recent surprise reunion of Linkin Park, announced by Mike Shinoda at a concert in Los Angeles, has been met with controversy and backlash from fans and critics alike. The announcement introduced Emily Armstrong as the new lead singer, sparking a heated debate about the decision to continue using the Linkin Park name despite the absence of two founding members, Chester Bennington and Rob Burdon, as well as guitarist Brad Delson, who will not be joining the tour [[1]].
At the heart of the controversy lies the question of whether it is justified to continue using the Linkin Park name without some of its core members. Mike Shinoda has defended the decision, stating, “If we used another name, we would be idiots” [[2]]. He has asked fans to reserve judgment until the release of their new album, “From Zero”, scheduled for November 15th, claiming that the album will justify the decision to continue as Linkin Park.
The title “From Zero” is a nod to the band’s origins, referencing the first name chosen by Mike Shinoda in 1996, Xero, before Chester Bennington joined the group. Shinoda has described the album as a “high energy record” with “a lot of guitars” that will be “a lot of fun to play live” [[2]]. However, this explanation has not been enough to placate fans who feel that the band’s identity is inextricably linked to its original lineup.
One of the most vocal critics of the reunion has been Chester Bennington’s son, who has spoken out against the perceived disloyalty of the remaining members. He has accused fans of being “cruel” to him after he criticized the reunion [[3]]. This criticism has added fuel to the fire, with many fans echoing his sentiments and questioning the legitimacy of the new lineup.
Despite the controversy, Linkin Park’s reunion has also sparked excitement and anticipation among fans who are eager to see the band perform live once again. The debate has also sparked a wider conversation about the nature of identity and legacy in the music industry, with some arguing that a band’s name is not sacrosanct and can evolve over time.
Only time will tell if Linkin Park’s new album and tour will be able to win over critics and fans, but one thing is certain – the controversy surrounding their reunion has sparked a passionate and intense debate that will continue to unfold in the coming months.
Why do fans believe it’s inappropriate for Linkin Park to continue using their name without key founding members?
Linkin Park’s Reunion Sparks Controversy: A Look into the Backlash
The recent surprise reunion of Linkin Park, announced by Mike Shinoda at a concert in Los Angeles, has been met with controversy and backlash from fans and critics alike. The announcement introduced Emily Armstrong as the new lead singer, sparking a heated debate about the decision to continue using the Linkin Park name despite the absence of two founding members, Chester Bennington and Rob Burdon, as well as guitarist Brad Delson, who will not be joining the tour [[1]].
Choosing the Name
At the heart of the controversy lies the question of whether it is justified to continue using the Linkin Park name without some of its core members. Mike Shinoda has defended the decision, stating, “If we used another name, we would be idiots” [[2]]. He has asked fans to reserve judgment until the release of their new album, “From Zero”, scheduled for November 15th, claiming that the album will justify the decision to continue as Linkin Park.
The “From Zero” Album
The title “From Zero” is a nod to the band’s origins, referencing the first name chosen by Mike Shinoda in 1996, Xero, before Chester Bennington joined the group. Shinoda has described the album as a “high energy record” with “a lot of guitars” that will be “a lot of fun to play live” [[2]]. However, this explanation has not been enough to placate fans who feel that the band’s identity is inextricably linked to its original lineup.
Chester Bennington’s Son Weighs In
One of the most vocal critics of the reunion has been Chester Bennington’s son, who has spoken out against the perceived disloyalty of the remaining members. He has accused fans of being “cruel” to him after he criticized the reunion [[3]]. This criticism has added fuel to the fire, with many fans echoing his sentiments and questioning the legitimacy of the new lineup.
Controversy Surrounding Emily Armstrong
What is also controversial is the choice of Emily Armstrong as the new lead singer. She is linked to Scientology and has been accused by several people of having supported the actor Danny Masterson, convicted of rape. Many fans are upset that the band did not consider the consequences of hiring someone like Emily, especially during Suicide Prevention Month.
The Bigger Picture
Despite the controversy, Linkin Park’s reunion has also sparked excitement and anticipation among fans who are eager to see the band perform live once again. The debate has also sparked a wider conversation about the nature of identity and legacy in the music industry, with some arguing that a band’s name is not just a name, but a symbol of its history, sound, and values.
What’s Next?
As the release of “From Zero” approaches, fans will be waiting with bated breath to see if the new album will justify the decision to continue as Linkin Park. Will the band be able to prove that they are more than just a name, or will the controversy surrounding their reunion be too much to overcome? Only time will tell.
References:
[1] https://metalinjection.net/news/chester-benningtons-
