Linkin Park: Who is the new singer Emily Armstrong?

In addition, it had been rumored for some time that Linkin Park would announce a comeback with a new singer. On September 6th at midnight German local time, the time had come: the US band announced their big comeback via livestream. And indeed: Chester Bennington's place was taken by a female singer. You could hear how powerful that sounds right from the first song of the performance, the new single “The Emptiness Machine” – but who is the new singer (and guitarist) Emily Armstrong?

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The 38-year-old is anything but an unknown. The front woman of the band Dead Sara had already impressed many other prominent colleagues with her voice before Linkin Park. In 2010, for example, she was invited by Courtney Love to sing backing vocals on the Hole album “Nobody's Daughter”. They have worked with a whole range of prominent artists – live and in the studio. These include The Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger, The Offspring, Beck, US pop star Demi Lovato and Awolnation.

Success with her own band Dead Sara

Emily Armstrong comes from Los Angeles and has been making music since her teenage years. She was inspired by classic rock like Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac, as well as folk. Armstrong dropped out of high school to devote herself to music. Since 2005 she has been performing with the band Dead Sara (initially Epiphany). Her first album “Dead Sara” was released on her own label. The song “Weatherman” in particular turned out to be a success for the band.

With Dead Sara, she has performed as a support act for Muse and played on the Warped Tour. The band has released three albums so far, their third, “Ain't It Tragic,” was released on the major label Warner Records. Dead Sara were also featured on Demi Lovato's album “Holy Fvck” and toured with her.

Linkin Park frontman Mike Shinoda speaks of “world-class talent”

Now Emily Armstrong also has a second, probably much more lucrative job – as front woman for Linkin Park. Band leader Mike Shinoda had high praise for his colleagues (and drummer Colin Brittain) in a statement to AP: “The more we worked with Emily and Colin, the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company and the new things we created.” Shinoda continued: “We feel really strengthened with this new line-up and the vibrant and energetic new music we made together. We weave together the sonic touchpoints we are known for and are still exploring new ones.”

How well Armstrong fits into Linkin Park can be heard on the new single “The Emptiness Machine”. The band's new album, “From Zero”, will be released on November 15th.

Criticism over alleged proximity to Scientology

However, not everyone is enthusiastic about Armstrong. On the Internet, numerous X-users accuse her of being a member of Scientology and of having supported the actor Danny Masterson, who is in prison for multiple rapes. For example, a photo of her and The Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala is circulating on Twitter, which is said to show her at a Scientology reception in 2013. Bixler-Zavala has since left Scientology. The singer's wife is one of the many women who accuse Masterson of sexual violence. Bixler-Zavala is said to have made angry comments about this.

Linkin Park: The tour dates

Armstrong will soon be able to be admired in her new role in Germany: Linkin Park will also be touring with the album. So far, six concerts have been confirmed: Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul and Bogotá.

September 11, 2024 | Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
September 16, 2024 | Barclays Center – New York, NY
September 22, 2024 | Barclays Arena – Hamburg, Germany
September 24, 2024 | The O2 – London, United Kingdom
September 28, 2024 | INSPIRE Arena – Seoul, South Korea
November 11, 2024 | Coliseo Medplus – Bogota, Colombia