Image: Linkin Park - Official press photo
Linkin Park have dominated the headlines like no other band in recent weeks. With their big return - new singer, new drummer, fresh music and a mini world tour - the band is back in the spotlight. Now Mike Shinoda has spoken out again to talk about the upcoming album From Zero and the new chapter in the band's history. We have summarised the most important information for you.
A New Chapter, Not A New Start
In an interview with BBC Radio 1's New Music Show, frontman Mike Shinoda emphasised that From Zero was not a new start for Linkin Park, but a new chapter in the band's long history. The preparation for this moment had taken a long time and the loss of Chester Bennington had always been present, even if the band was now continuing with fresh energy. Shinoda particularly emphasised that the new singer Emily Armstrong was not meant to replace Chester:
‘The album will be released in the second week of November. I hope people understand that this is not a reboot of Linkin Park. It's the next chapter. We love the old chapter, but now we're rebooting with a new voice and energy. Emily's not trying to be Chester - she's being herself. And that's exactly why it works.’
Fresh Dynamics Thanks To New Band Members
In addition to Emily Armstrong, there is also a new face behind the drums. Colin Brittain has replaced long-time drummer and founding member Rob Bourdon and brings a breath of fresh air to the band. Mike Shinoda describes how these new impulses influenced the production of the album:
‘The new album came about when the band got back together. We had sessions with other artists and singers. Emily just stood out. Her voice was a perfect fit for the new songs, and Colin brings a fresh dynamic that pushes our sound even further.’
Intensive Rehearsals And Constant Development
Shinoda also spoke about how intensive the collaboration with the new band members was. He compared the process to a basketball team, where it is important to know exactly where everyone stands on the court in order to play together harmoniously:
‘It's a constant process. We rehearsed more for this album than ever before. It's like a good basketball team - you need to know where everyone is on the court to stay in the flow. That's the basis for us working together effortlessly and intuitively on stage.’
Mini World Tour And New Songs
Linkin Park are currently on their mini world tour. The first five shows in Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London and Seol have already been successfully completed. After a short break, the tour continues in November to Paris, Dallas, Bogotá and São Paulo. With ‘The Emptiness Machine’ and ‘Heavy Is The Crown’, the band has already released two songs from the new album From Zero, which is scheduled for release on 15 November.
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