How Linkin Park Chose New Vocalist After Years of ‘Trying to Restart’

On Thursday, Linkin Park announced the band would be embarking on its first tour since the death of lead singer Chester Bennington seven years ago. The group also revealed that a new co-vocalist, Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong, would be joining them on the road. Armstrong isn’t a huge name in the industry, but she's put together a memorable career before joining the iconic nü-metal band.

Armstrong made her debut with the band on Thursday night during a live-streamed performance in which Linkin Park announced the new tour. Alongside Armstrong, Linkin Park introduced fans to the band’s new drummer, Colin Brittain.

“This is a very special day for us,” vocalist Mike Shinoda addressed the audience of the band’s fan club members. “In the role of Chester Bennington, this afternoon is each of you,” he told Armstrong and Brittain.

Bennington was found dead at his California home in July 2017. It was later determined that his cause of death was suicide by hanging. After the tragedy, Shinoda and bandmates Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, and Joe Hahn, spent years “trying to restart the band.” During that time, they invited “various friends and cohorts to join them in the studio,” but they felt particularly bonded with Armstrong and Brittain.

Armstrong revealed to Billboard that she was asked to join the band back in Sept. 2023, a moment which will forever be a career highlight. “I was panicking in the best way: ‘Is it real?’” Armstrong recalled. “For three days at least, I don’t ever remember touching the ground,” she said. “And then everything was different when I came back down—knowing my life was going to be different, in the best way. I came back to a dreamland.”

Armstrong told the outlet that she endeavors to “carry on the emotion” of Bennington’s voice. “You got to marry the technical part and the emotion. It’s Chester’s voice, and it’s mine, but I want it to still feel the way I feel when I listen to the song, because that’s what the fans love,” she said. “There is a passion to it that I’m hoping I can fill.”

The six-date tour will kick off on Sept. 11 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Tickets are now available for Linkin Park’s Exclusive Fan Club members. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Saturday. You can visit LinkinPark.com for more information.