It’s been 7 years since the tragic passing of Chester Bennington, Linkin Park’s lead vocalist. The band was then forced into an extended hiatus. Many believed that this would signal the permanent end of the group, but in September of this year, Linkin Park shook the world by announcing they had decided to reform, with Emily Armstrong (singer from Dead Sara) joining as co-vocalist alongside Mike Shinoda, and that they would release a new album titled “From Zero”.
The album title has a dual meaning: it references the band’s original name, “Xero,” as well as signaling a fresh start alongside Armstrong.
Comparisons between Bennington and Armstrong are bound to be inevitable, and while she has generally been well-received by the public, it’s understandable that some fans might not be as enthusiastic about her presence, believing Bennington to be irreplaceable.
In my opinion, it’s worth giving “From Zero” a chance with an open mind, appreciating the fact that the band has chosen to extend their legacy, and at the same time honor Bennington’s memory, something the members have been doing in their recent live performances. On the other hand, the quality of the songs, as well as Linkin Park’s musical sound, remains perfectly preserved.
Armstrong proves herself capable in her new role as a vocalist. It’s evident she has a wealth of experience, and her voice carries a pleasant tone that shines especially when she sings melodically. But, it’s also clear that she can scream and rock out intensely. She does not disappoint in the slightest.
I believe bringing Armstrong into the band was a wise choice, something that was evident from the release of the album’s first single, “The Emptiness Machine”, a song that genuinely sounds like Linkin Park: hard rock, dynamic, with controlled melodic verses, and an explosive, energetic, and highly emotive chorus.
Watching Armstrong take to the stage and start singing gives me goosebumps. Emotion at its peak.
One of the album’s highlights is the track “Over Each Other”, where Armstrong gets the opportunity to deliver a solo vocal performance. She sings melodically and with remarkable clarity, allowing her voice to shine in all its splendor.
Contrasting that track, “Casualty” follows, the heaviest song on the album. The band ventures into thrash metal, and Armstrong screams so forcefully that it feels like my own vocal cords are aching from listening. Her voice is truly powerful.
One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Overflow”, which, with its experimental electronic influences, exemplifies the diverse sound of “From Zero.” It features deep, ethereal vocal parts, with Armstrong singing in a high register, something not as common throughout the rest of the album.
In “Two Faced”, the band revisits the sound of their debut album, with a main riff reminiscent of the metal riff from “One Step Closer”, and Shinoda adding his characteristic rap, interwoven with Armstrong’s powerful screams in the choruses. Pure Linkin Park essence.
With all tracks hovering around the 3-minute mark, and comprising only 10 songs, “From Zero” has a runtime just over half an hour, making it Linkin Park’s shortest album to date. While the band has always opted for relatively short albums, I wonder if this length is a response to the oversaturation of the music market and the limited attention span of the TikTok era. I can only speculate. Whatever the reason, the album flows well, never overstaying its welcome, and manages to keep the listener engaged from start to finish.
Despite the dark shadow of Bennington still looming over the band, it’s clear that “From Zero” was crafted with enthusiasm. This can be felt not just through the good vibes the music conveys, but also through the friendly and humorous bits of studio conversations between Armstrong and Shinoda, interspersed among some tracks.
Beyond Armstrong’s addition, the band’s lineup has seen other significant changes. Brad Delson, the guitarist, who is still officially part of the group and contributed to the production of “From Zero,” decided not to perform in the live tour the band has embarked on to promote the album, being replaced by another musician. Lastly, founding drummer Rob Bourdon declined to return to the band and was replaced by producer and multi-instrumentalist Colin Brittain.
Thus, the band hasn’t just made a triumphant return, they’ve also evolved. I believe Linkin Park will not disappoint their old fans, as evidenced by the warm reception the group’s reunion has received, and it’s likely to attract many new ones as well.
“From Zero” is an excellent album where Linkin Park stays true to their classic sound while also exploring new musical horizons. Armstrong brings a new and welcome dimension to the band, and personally, I’m very excited about Linkin Park’s future.
