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Topics: Entertainment, Music, US News
Lucy Devine
Topics: Entertainment, Music, US News
Linkin Park fans are divided after listening to the voice of the band's new singer for the first time.
On Thursday (September 5) during a live performance, the group announced that Emily Armstrong, from the band Dead Sara, will be their new vocalist, following former lead singer Chester Bennington's death.
Bennington was found dead at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California in July 2017, after rising to fame with Linkin Park in the early Noughties.
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While the band has been on hiatus ever since, last month they updated their website with a mysterious countdown.
Fans have been going wild over the last few weeks trying to guess what the announcement could be.
Alongside Armstrong's arrival, Colin Brittain, a songwriter and producer for G Flip, Illenium, and One OK Rock, will also be joining Linkin Park as a drummer.
The big announcement came with the release of a new single, 'The Emptiness Machine', which is the first new music Linkin Park has released in seven years. It is also part of the bands's upcoming album, From Zero, expected to be released on November 15.
Linkin Park's co-founder and co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda said in a statement: "Before Linkin Park, our first band name was Xero. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking.
"Sonically and emotionally, it is about past, present, and future - embracing our signature sound, but new and full of life. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and longtime bandmates, our friends, our family, and our fans.
"We are proud of what Linkin Park has become over the years, and excited about the journey ahead."
Following the announcement, fans have been divided over Armstrong's vocals, with some explaining it was 'really hard not to miss Chester'.
One wrote: "She's not bad at all. It's just really hard to not miss Chester. After 2 decades of him, change is hard bruh."
While another said: "New Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong sounds great imo."
And a third added: "I feel like I’m the only one that absolutely hates this."
Meanwhile a fourth commented: "She sounds great, their new song ‘the emptiness machine’ shows of her style. A new era for linkin park. I wish the best for them, I’ll be checking it out for sure."
And a fifth said: "I’m wondering if she needs to stop trying to sing it exactly like Chester, and focus on a slightly different style that fits her own range."
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Linkin Park is slated to kick off their world tour on September 11.
The world tour will see the band visiting Los Angeles, New York, London, Hamburg, Seoul and Bogota, with tickets going on general sale from tomorrow (September 7) from Ticketmaster and Seat Unique.