“I only wanted to be part of something
I only wanted to be part of, part of…”
Linkin Park is back, and for many, this feels like reconnecting with an old friend. The band’s new album promises to reignite the raw energy and charisma that brought them to global stardom.
With new members Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain bringing fresh perspectives, Linkin Park is set to introduce an evolved sound while staying true to the essence that made them iconic.
In a recent virtual press conference attended by BusinessMirror’s SoundStrip and other media, Mike Shinoda assured fans that their new album From Zero will remain relatable despite the changes within the band.
“It sounds like a Linkin Park album even though it’s different. It doesn’t sound like one era of Linkin Park, it’s just Linkin Park in general… There’s a lot of variety. You’ll see over time,” the 47 year-old vocalist said.
The band—originally consisting of Mike, Chester Bennington, Brad Delson, Rob Bourdon, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, and Joe Hahn—first skyrocketed to fame in the early 2000s with their breakthrough debut album Hybrid Theory which featured their signature blend of nu metal, rap, and alternative rock.
Its first album sold around 32 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling debut album since Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction was released in 1987.
Linkin Park’s chart-topping albums like Meteora and Minutes to Midnight further cemented the band’s place as one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century.
Unfortunately, the band went on hiatus in 2017 after the tragic death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington. This had left the future of Linkin Park uncertain.
Now, the release of From Zero in November will mark their first major project since that heartbreaking chapter, signaling a new beginning for the band.
Phoenix shared that the band took a gradual approach in creating From Zero to make sure that they will stay true to their roots while, at the same time, moving forward into new avenues.
“Little steps get made and like start writing some stuff that you like and then you start working with some people that you love working with… and then it just all comes together,” the Linkin Park bassist said.
Onto a new era
Keeping their new project and lineup under wraps was no easy feat for the band.
Mike shared that they had to balance their excitement of working on something big with the challenge of maintaining it a secret to not spoil the fun.
“There are certain things that we had to keep very quiet. We had so much up our sleeve, we had so much planned for the launch date that it was almost a miracle that it all stayed a secret,” Mike said.
For Emily and Colin, joining a band as iconic as Linkin Park was both a dream and a challenge. They were very much aware of the legacy they were stepping into.
“I truly believe that this is a very important band for the world. I love to be part of something big and to inspire as much as I can, and they have already kind of been doing this for a long time,” Emily shared.
Prior to joining Linkin Park, Emily first frontlined for Dead Sara, a three-piece American rock band. It received accolades from Dav Grohl and Courtney Love.
Colin, on the other hand, first played the drums for Oh No Fiasco. He also wrote and produced for bands like 5 Seconds of Summer and One Ok Rock.
“These people have been hugely influential in my life, both creatively and personally. To support these guys in their vision, which obviously they stand on such a huge legacy, really give this important message to the world and so I’m really grateful to just be a small part of that,” Colin said.
Stronger connection
As they embark on this new journey together, Joe shared that the band will still continue to perform for the same reason—to make music together.
“I think our main focus was just making great music and enjoying it. We did a lot of experimenting but I think the combination became complete with Colin and Emily, things just started fitting and we were able to draw back into some old things and some new things,” Joe said.
To build on the theme of their stronger connection and the secret to their long-lasting career, you can highlight the band’s collaborative spirit, mutual respect, and the joy they find in creating music together. Here’s what you can add:
It’s this foundation of creative collaboration and genuine love for the craft that has been key to Linkin Park’s longevity.
The band has always emphasized the importance of enjoying the process, something that hasn’t changed even with the addition of new faces.
“A lot of younger people think of music more as a commodity sometimes, like a hamburger or a pair of pants… but for me, that’s not what the core of being an artist and in a band is like,” Mike said.
“It’s really much more about taking just something, a spark of an idea that isn’t anything. It’s fuzzy and can fall apart. It’s fragile and then you chase that thing down and turn it into something,” he added.
From Zero will be available for streaming on November 25. Aside from the album, fans can also look forward to the band’s ongoing tour, where Linkin Park showcases their new yet very familiar sound.
Image credits: James Minchin III
