Linkin Park is back with new music, seven years after lead vocalist’s death

Seven years after Linkin Park’s lead vocalist Chester Bennington died, the rock band — arguably one of the biggest and most influential of the 21st century — is back! Linkin Park announced a new lineup, album and tour.

The band have added Emily Armstrong, the frontwoman for power-rock group Dead Sara, as a co-lead vocalist, and songwriter and producer Colin Brittain, who has worked with the likes of Papa Roach and All Time Low, as the band’s new drummer.

“The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company, and the things we created,” the band’s vocalist Mike Shinoda said according to the Associated Press.

“We feel really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together. We’re weaving together the sonic touchpoints we’ve been known for and still exploring new ones.”

Original drummer Rob Bourdon “has decided to step away” from the Associated Press reported.

According to Billboard, with Armstrong and Brittain on board — as well as original members Shinoda, Dave Farrell, guitarist/co-producer Brad Delson and DJ/visual director Joe Hahn — Linkin Park will release From Zero, its eighth studio album, on November 15 through longtime label Warner Records. The album will be the first full-length work since One More Light was released in 2017 before Bennington’s death.

“Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking,” Shinoda said.

The announcement was also accompanied by their latest single, ‘The Emptiness Machine’, the band’s first new music release in seven years, and the lead track for the upcoming album.

That isn’t all! During a livestream, the band said they would go on tour for their new album. The From Zero World Tour will consist of five arena shows in Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London and Seoul in the coming month, as well as a show in Bogotá in November. In 2025, the band will be “touring heavily”, Billboard quoted Shinoda.

According to the publication, Linkin Park orchestrated the launch of their new era under a veil of secrecy, sparking vague rumours within the fan community as they resumed activity, crafted new tracks, and rehearsed. After months of external speculation, the band released a series of official teasers over a week and a half, all building up to this week when the announcements came flooding.

From Zero tracklist:

1. ‘From Zero’
2. ‘The Emptiness Machine’
3. ‘Cut The Bridge’
4. ‘Heavy Is The Crown’
5. ‘Over Each Other’
6. ‘Casualty’
7. ‘Overflow’
8. ‘Two Faced’
9. ‘Stained’
10. ‘IGYEIH’
11. ‘Good Things Go’