Mike Shinoda has opened up about why Linkin Park selected to maintain their band identify for the newly relaunched line-up.
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Final week Linkin Park introduced their comeback with new singer Emily Armstrong and songwriter and new drummer Colin Brittain, together with returning members Shinoda, Dave ‘Phoenix’ Farrell, Joe Hahn and Brad Delson.
The group shared particulars of their new album ‘From Zero’, which might be their first since 2017’s ‘One Extra Mild’ – the final to characteristic late singer Chester Bennington.
The newly reformed group can even be embarking on a brief world tour, performing in six arenas the world over between September and November this yr, together with Los Angeles, London and Seoul.
With a brand new chapter forward of them, Shinoda has opened up about why they selected to stay to their present band identify.
Talking throughout an interview with Chicago radio stadium Q101 (per Blabbermouth), the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist defined: “In the midst of the method, we have been open to, like, possibly the lineup is sort of a shifting lineup, possibly there’s a number of vocalists, possibly it’s a distinct identify, stuff like that.”
He went on: “After which because the music got here into focus, we have been, like, ‘That is as Linkin Park an album as we may make. It’s so Linkin Park that if we name it one thing else, then we’re idiots.’ As a result of it might be like misrepresentation. It’d be foolish. And when individuals hear extra of the album, they are going to perceive that.”
Shinoda additionally defined that their new album identify additionally holds which means about their contemporary begin, recalling that their authentic band identify within the late ’90s was Xero, which become Hybrid Concept, which finally grew to become Linkin Park.
“So the identify of the album is a double entendre,” he defined. “It’s us beginning over, however it’s additionally us type of being in contact with the issues we beloved again then.”
As for what followers can anticipate, he teased that the album is “energetic” and likewise encompasses a “lot of guitars”.
Whereas there was initially a constructive response to the brand new line-up, the announcement additionally drew some controversy after Armstrong’s alleged hyperlinks to Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson started to flow into on social media.
The singer has since addressed the controversy, writing in an Instagram put up that she “misjudged” somebody she beforehand “thought of a buddy”, earlier than including: “To say it as clearly as attainable: I don’t condone abuse or violence towards ladies, and I empathize with the victims of those crimes.”
The artist has additionally paid tribute to the late Bennington’s legacy, saying she would “like to do him proud”.
