Linkin Park: Reinvented through Emily Armstrong and the Emptiness Machine

Linkin Park – a name wrapped deeply around the hearts of people around the world who grew up headbanging to the heavy-guitar-filled classics adorned with the rough and raspy, yet soft and emotional voice of the late legend Chester Bennington– once again came into the spotlight earlier this month with 'The Emptiness Machine,' the lead single of their eight studio album 'From Zero.'

The song featured the debut of Emily Armstrong–co-founder of alternative rock band 'Dead Sara' – as the new lead vocalist of Linkin Park seven years after the death of the legendary vocalist. 

While some fans complain that the new song 'isn't Linkin Park,' more analytical fans argue that the music is reminiscent of the band's old albums and that you can find some aspect of every era of Linkin Park in it. Indeed, with drum beats similar to 'Minutes to Midnight,' pop-ish elements of 'One More Light,' distorted soft guitar sounds similar to 'The Hunting Party,' Emily's raspy screaming parts reminiscent of the iconic 'Hybrid Theory' and 'Meteora' and the overlapping vocals between Mike Shinoda and Emily similar to 'A Thousand Suns,' the song contains flavours from more or less every iconic album of every era of the band.

Fans made comments in the Linkin Park subreddit 'r/LinkinPark', saying that the song is the perfect opening track for the new album and that it would be 'stupid' to call it anything other than Linkin Park.'

Despite all the positive feedback, some fans need to be more accepting of the new vocalist. Some say that Emily Armstrong's voice lacks the emotions that Chester's voice had. The absence of Rob Bourdon, former Linkin Park guitarist, also became a factor behind the disaffection of some fans.

The controversy spilt beyond the intricacies of music when Emily was accused of being a cultist and rape defender, surrounding her former membership of the controversial 'Church of Scientology' and a court appearance in support of Danny Masterson, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to prison in that trial. However, fans pointed out that many celebrities, including the likes of Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Michael Pena and Nicole Kidman, have been former Scientologists with unimpeded careers.

The newly anointed vocalist explained herself regarding the rape-defence allegations in an Instagram story, saying that she had misjudged Masterson and had only attended one early trial, cutting off contact with him ever since. 

Beyond all musical intricacies and despite all paparazzi scandals, The Emptiness Machine embodies one of the core aspects of Linkin Park songs – catharsis.

The songs of Linkin Park are known and loved for soul-searching lyrics that address severe mental health issues, combined with music that helps you vent.

Iconic songs, including headbangers like Numb, In the End, Somewhere I Belong, Papercut, Breaking the Habit, Given Up, songs with softer tones like One More Light, Shadow of the Day, Leave out All the Rest have been therapeutic for millions of people dealing with abuse and trauma who grew up with these songs as an outlet for their problems.

The Emptiness Machine embodies the spirit of these songs, both in terms of musical composition and lyrics. It is a welcome return to the old flavour of Linkin Park, with Emily Armstrong's strong, unwavering voice acting as a perfect vessel for the evidently passionate composition of Mike Shinoda.

"Linkin Park is once again doing for me what they used to," a fan writes on Facebook, "helping me forget my problems with a song I can headbang to."

Chester Bennington's suicide in 2017 traumatized the entire fan base. After all, it isn't easy seeing the voice that helped you cope with your depression succumb to his own.

Chester's legacy is one of kindness, humility, open-mindedness and acceptance. He was probably one of the few people to whom the saying- "never meet your heroes" didn't apply.

Singing like an angel and screaming like a devil, his uniquely skilled voice raised an entire generation. So, it is understandable why some fans are finding it difficult to accept a Linkin Park with a voice that isn't Chester's in the lead.

However, most fans agree that Linkin Park wasn't just Chester Bennington, and even though his legacy will never be erased, the band has the right to move on– in whichever direction they want.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, reach out to a friend or family member or contact counselling services.

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