Linkin Park 2.0

Article 038.

It was a Sunday afternoon and I was browsing randomly in YouTube when I encountered a clip of Linkin Park performing with what looked like a girl on vocals. I was wondering why it was trending, not realizing that it wasn't actually a collab but an Emily Armstrong being introduced as the new front man (or front person for fluidity's regard) of one if not my most favorite band of all time. No freaking way!!! I had to check when the video was posted thinking that it maybe an old clip but saw that it was just very recent. Still kinda in disbelief. Not sure how the band decided to take this path and essentially give LP a rebirth. So I browsed a few more videos and saw an interview the band made explaining how Emily came to fruition. What stuck with me is when both Dave (Farrell) and Brad (Delson) heard her scream during an “audition” that sold them to the idea that she is the one they are looking for. Mike Shinoda probably knew awhile back, since he worked with Emily before with a couple of projects, that it was just a matter of time before the rest of the gang would realize that the search for Linkin Park's lead vocals was already over.

I was kinda torn in the beginning, a bit more critical of her rendition of Breaking The Habit and Bleed It Out, but nevertheless awed by the squeaky yet powerful voice she brings to the table. Obviously not Chester-like but at certain moments, kinda getting there. There were stages in the song, various songs, where I wish she would’ve sang the line but instead directed the mic to the crowd to, I’m assuming, save herself from breaking her voice. Understandable. Maybe they should squeeze in those scratch mixes in between takes essentially giving Joe a “Hahn solo” (sorry I had to but gotta admit that got me giggling) to buy Emily some time. Mister Bennington is one of a kind and I’m no medical expert but I’m sure their lungs and vocal chords are significantly different. I even wonder if Emily would be able to keep up just because rendering live back-to-back songs puts even Chester to almost a state of laryngitis that’s about to happen. Emily would need to dig deep, and I mean really deep, to give LP hits some justice. But it’s too early to say that she won’t hit the notes consistently (she has the talent to do so) so we’ll give her time to get acquainted with the songs that Chester immortalized. Plus, accepting Emily as the new face of LP means we would hear the classic LP songs with a different flavor. She did good in Crawling and as time goes by, I have no doubt she would only get better singing LP repertoire.

In my curious internet browsing, I also encountered a video of this cover band named Hybrid Theory from I believe is Portugal (not to be mistaken by the same named band from North Texas). They were formed back in 2017 after Chester's death and since then had been performing LP songs due to the band's imminent exodus. I have to say they are pretty good, although they are trying too hard to imitate LP to the tee. In fact they are so good that they have cashed in on Linkin Park's absence and have sold out arenas in South America. There was even a clamor to have Hybrid Theory's vocalist Ivo Rosario replace Chester due to his uncanny likeness of the departed frontman. But I don't think Shinoda is a big fan of them since he never really invited Ivo to at least audition. I know I wouldn't since HT is making tons of money out of LP material, unless LP is getting royalties out of this, which I doubt. But I'm kinda excited to see if HT will perform the new LP songs with Emily in vocals, since it would be a glimpse of how it would sound if Chester was still the lead. That would be dope!

I wish Drummer Rob Bourdon stayed. He was after all one of the original founders of the band. But totally get if he chose to break ties and stay loyal to Chester. The new drummer Colin Brittain is equally good and so far is keeping Rob’s contributions alive. And even if Chester’s son is critical of this new direction that LP has taken, critical of Mike, and stating that his father would not have approved any of this, I think he is wrong and Chester would’ve been proud that the band continued to create music and share it to their fans. Chester is an unselfish artist and there is nothing more that he would rather have than to see LP’s legacy move on. And it will, now that Emily is at helm. I already have The Emptiness Machine on repeat [https://youtu.be/SRXH9AbT280?si=vWbgMaXC9kzRYWUi] and just loving it every time it hits my ears. This carrier single was masterfully made as Mike starts of the track as if telling the listeners, yes this is a Linkin Park song. Then he essentially introduces Emily into the fray, accentuating her awesome voice when she busts out the first line of the chorus. Gives me goosebumps to be honest. Can't wait for the entire album's release in November. We are surely one step closer to the edge and I'm about to break...

LP 2.0 - Dave, Brad, Joe, Emily, Colin and Mike