Who Is Linkin Park’s New Singer Emily Armstrong?

In case you are uninformed, Linkin Park was a rock band that formed in 1996 but got really big in the early 2000s. The band’s most famous songs include “Numb,” which was released in 2003, and “In The End,” which was released in 2001.

This was a very popular group and remains loved today. Overall, it managed six number-one albums on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Musically speaking, part of Linkin Park’s allure is its combination of rap, from Mike Shinoda, and vocals, from Chester Bennington. Many of its songs sound cool because of the way in which Mike would rap at or around the same time as Chester would sing.

Linkin Park also blended its rap component with hard rock, creating a contrast that fans have enjoyed listening to. For its emotional impact, however, Linkin Park relied extensively on Chester’s singing.

This is where I want to pause for a moment because it is in this sense that Chester was the heart and soul of Linkin Park. I say “was” because, very sadly, Chester passed away in 2017. Struggling with depression, he took his own life. This is a fact that remains tragic for band members and fans. As a Linkin Park fan myself, it makes me very sad just to think about his passing.

I will explain Linkin Park’s emotional impact with Chester as its lead singer in more detail, but before I do, let me explain where this article is headed.

Linkin Park has announced its comeback. It has a new singer in Emily Armstrong. Explaining Chester’s emotional importance will make sense of the criticism that fans are directing toward Armstrong. It is this controversy that makes Armstrong interesting to talk about.

Fans of Linkin Park remain strongly attached to Chester. Many complain that Armstrong is trying to take Chester’s spot, to replace him. They are upset because they feel that Chester is irreplaceable.

Linkin Park’s Emotional Impact

Linkin Park is a group that many people are able to connect with. Chester, as the lead singer, would be the one to sing the words that made Linkin Park’s lyrics relatable to its fans.

For example, “Numb” resonates with people who feel like they are struggling with the pressure that other people place upon them. Chester sings, “I’m tired of being what you want me to be.” People who suffer were able to not only relate to but to take a kind of solace in Linkin Park’s music largely thanks to Chester’s singing.

Hearing Chester’s words made them feel better in a way. It is in this sense that they became emotionally very connected to Chester.

A New Beginning?

When Chester committed suicide in 2017, the band went on hiatus. Fans and band members mourned. There was the definite sense that the band could not continue without Chester.

Linkin Park has, however, announced its comeback.

This group has a new drummer in Colin Brittain. Its other members are the same, except it has a new lead singer. Her name is Emily Armstrong. With her, Linkin Park will release a new album on November 15. Linkin Park will also start a tour. Its tour will feature six concerts, one being in New York and another in Seoul.

Who Is Emily Armstrong?

Emily Armstrong, Linkin Park’s new lead singer, grew up in Los Angeles.

She had been part of an alternative rock band named Dead Sara, which she co-founded. Her band gained some recognition, releasing a song named “Weatherman” in 2012 that expressed an anti-authoritarian attitude and that was popular. This song landed on different charts, including number 35 on Alternative Songs, and was performed on Jimmy Kimmel’s show.

Her recognition continued more recently when, in 2022, Dead Sara opened for Demi Lovato.

Criticizing Emily Armstrong

Naturally, because fans are attached to Chester, Armstrong’s history will be a source of criticism. Fans will thoughtlessly be disposed to criticize her, but her biography does seem to justify criticism.

For example, she supported actor Danny Masterson. Masterson is insupportable because he is a convicted rapist, and Armstrong did renounce her support of him.

As she continues to be viewed as someone who is trying to replace Chester, she will continue to draw criticism of various kinds. It’s uncertain how popular Linkin Park will be upon their return and whether their success will make them a worthwhile bet at any online sportsbook.