Chester Bennington’s son slams Linkin Park’s decision to replace dad with new singer
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Chester Bennington's son Jaime has criticized Linkin Park's decision to bring in a new singer as the band's co-vocalist.
On September 5, Linkin Park announced that Emily Armstrong from band Dead Sara, would be joining the group as their new vocalist, along with Colin Brittain as a new drummer.
The surprise announcement also came with the release of new single 'The Emptiness Machine,' the group's first new music in seven years.
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The track is serving as the lead single for Linkin Park's upcoming album From Zero, slated to release on November 15, marking the group's first full-length project since 2017.
The news of Armstrong's inclusion divided fans online with some praising her vocal capabilities and others apprehensive over her filling in Bennington's shoes. Linkin Park's lead singer, Bennington was found dead at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California in July 2017. It was a death by suicide.
His son Jaime has now weighed in on Linkin Park's new vocalist, criticizing the band's decision on his Instagram Stories earlier today. In one story, Jaime wrote that Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda had 'quietly erased my father's life and legacy in real time…during international suicide prevention month.'
Jaime went on to voice his disapproval of Armstrong's past, referring to her connection to the Church of Scientology and her support of That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson, who was convicted of raping two women and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison last year.
In another Instagram story, Jaime added that Linkin Park 'failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base' and that the group's recent actions 'are not something people should acclimate to.'
He went on to say that the band had 'betrayed the trust' of the fanbase that 'trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention.'
"Now you're just senile and tone deaf," he added.
Meanwhile, Armstrong issued her own statement on September 6 following concerns over her supposed friendship with Masterson.
Writing on Instagram, Armstrong shared: "Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since.
"To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes," she added.
Linkin Park is slated to kick off their world tour on September 11 in Los Angeles before heading to NYC, Germany, the UK, South Korea and Colombia.
Yasmeen Hamadeh