Linkin Park just revealed that their new vocalist, who is also a co-founder of the alternative rock band Dead Sara, will accompany them on their first tour since Chester Bennington’s passing.

Seven years after the passing of longtime frontman Chester Bennington, Linkin Park has announced that it has regrouped for a new tour and album, and rocker Emily Armstrong has joined the band as a co-vocalist.

Alongside returning members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, and Joe Hahn, Armstrong made his band debut on Thursday during a live stream featuring their new tune, “The Emptiness Machine,” along with rock producer Colin Brittain, the group’s new drummer.

Shinoda acknowledged their former bandmate, who committed suicide in July 2017 at the age of 41, and informed the crowd, “This is a very special day for us.” “This afternoon, you are all playing Chester Bennington.

Around September 2023, Armstrong, who is also the lead vocalist of Dead Sara, received an invitation from the California-based rock group to join the legendary group. Armstrong claimed that before taking the role, she spoke with her Dead Sara bandmates, who urged her to take advantage of the chance.

“I was asking myself, ‘Is it real?’ in the best possible terror. I don’t remember ever touching the earth for at least three days,” she told Billboard. When I got back down, everything was different because I knew that my life would change for the better. I returned to a realm of dreams.

In addition to preparing for the November 2024 release of their new album, From Zero, Linkin Park is also getting ready for a world tour that will include visits in major cities including Seoul, New York, Los Angeles, and London.

Here are five things you should know about their new singer, who will be essential to the band’s future.

Context

Armstrong, who has largely kept her personal history private, was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she fell in love with music early on and left high school to work in the business.

The 38-year-old’s most well-known role before to joining Linkin Park was that of frontwoman and guitarist for the rock group Dead Sara, which is located in Los Angeles. She and guitarist Siouxsie Medley co-founded the band in 2005, and they have since put out three studio albums, the first of which included the smash song “Weatherman” in 2012.

Influences and Styles of Music

Armstrong’s musical style has been influenced by a wide range of musical genres, including rock, folk, and blues musicians from the 1960s and 1970s. Her personal tastes appear to be as diverse and varied as her professional partnerships, as seen by her appreciation for musicians such as Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, and Nirvana.

Armstrong recounted how Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory album from 2000 affected her in a Billboard interview.

She recalled, “I was in a band when it came out.” For me, the song was “One Step Closer,” and I thought, “That’s what I want to do.” I want to be able to yell because I’m a singer.

I’ve heard that album a trillion times; it was everything. To it, I would skate. To it, I would mosh.

Partnerships

Notable composition credits and well-known collaborations are hallmarks of Armstrong’s musical career.

She co-wrote songs for Demi Lovato’s album Holy Fvck and contributed backing vocals for Courtney Love’s solo album Nobody’s Daughter.

Contentious Connections

There has been some debate over Armstrong’s appointment. Concerns have been expressed by certain fans regarding her affiliation with the Church of Scientology and her open endorsement of Danny Masterson, a former Scientologist actor who was just found guilty of rape.

Some fans are upset with her attendance in Masterson’s trial in 2022 and pictures of her at Scientology gatherings, fearing that this will damage the band’s reputation.

A New Position in Linkin Park

Armstrong talked candidly about performing Linkin Park songs with Bennington.

She remarked, “I never get the feeling that I have to personalize this song.” “It’s like, ‘How can I use my voice to make this song have the same impact, as much as possible?'”

Armstrong clarified that she put a lot of effort into “carrying on the emotion” that the legendary bandmate contributed to the group.

“The technical and emotional aspects must be married. Although it’s both Chester’s and my voice, I want the song to still make me feel the way I do since that’s what the fans adore. I’m hoping I can satisfy that enthusiasm,” Armstrong remarked.