By Reuven Hellman, Layout Editor
July 20, 2017, Chester Bennington, renowned lead vocalist of the nu metal band Linkin Park, was found dead in his Palos Verdes home. For the past seven years, Mike Shinoda, the backup vocalist and founder of the group, has revamped the brand, attempting to emerge from the shadow that was Bennington. All his attempts to do so seemed futile, though the most loyal of fans, myself included, stood unwavering in their faith, holding out for their beloved troupe.
Finally, this past September, Linkin Park’s official Instagram account posted a cryptic countdown. I remember eagerly waiting for it to end, hoping to hear the band had decided to publish more unreleased music with the late Bennington’s legendary vocals. However, the countdown was to unveil their new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, from the metal band Dead Sara. The news sent shockwaves throughout the nu metal world, stunning many. I, a fan of her work prior to this announcement, was hesitant: How could anyone ever replace the Chester Bennington?
Since I started gaining an appreciation for nu metal music, Linkin Park has always been my favorite band. If you check my Spotify Wrapped, there have been tens (probably hundreds) of thousands of minutes listened to Linkin Park. I had my doubts about the new vocalist, but upon the release of The Emptiness Machine, their hit single starring Armstrong, I was reassured. It seemed like other people were too as I watched the song rise to number one on the Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart, their eleventh hit to do so.
So, what’s the catch?
Quickly, skeptics began doing some digging on Armstrong, unveiling to the world that as a “hardcore scientologist” she was accused of defending actor and accused rapist Danny Masterson, another known scientologist. Not addressing the scientology allegations, she posted an Instagram story post, introducing herself to fans, hoping to clear the air regarding an ongoing controversy. She went on, explaining how she supported a friend in court, and she “misjudged him.” They have not spoken since.
Jaime Bennington, one of Bennington’s children, made a statement criticizing the band’s bold move, claiming in an Instagram post that Mike Shinoda had “quietly erased [his] father’s life and legacy in real time.” Shortly thereafter, Jaime received extremely hostile messages and responses from ‘fans,’ for sharing his opinions and feelings. Jaime posted, “All these people come over to me and go, ‘You don’t know what your dad would think… What are you talking about? You didn’t give a **** when he died. If you did, you would understand what the problem is. You would understand why this is all wrong. I do because I’m his kid.”
There is another grouping of fans who fall into a middle category, one in which they appreciate Emily Armstrong’s addition, but do not condone the replacement of Bennington. These devotees proposed a solution: change the name of the band. Start over while still using the groundwork laid by Linkin Park. The seemingly easy fix would quiet both sides, satisfying those who are vehemently opposed to Armstrong and those who view singing alongside Mike Shinoda to be her rightful place.
Alas, Mike Shinoda directly contradicted what Chester’s remaining family requested, replacing their father and husband in his band. The Bennington family must have suffered such a gut-wrenching feeling of betrayal by a man who was once their relative’s best friend, compounding with the reminder of the loss of their loved one.
On the other hand, Shinoda too lost his best friend. He is trying to move on and create a new brand for himself the only way he knows how: music. In an interview, Shinoda said to Audacy’s KROQ (regarding Armstrong) that “she’s not trying to be him. She’s trying to be her. And it so happens that I think she singing on these songs sounds like Linkin Park.”
As Chester Bennington himself says in a January 2011 interview: “In a free society, people have a right to believe whatever they want to believe. That’s their business and they can speak their mind.” This whole situation is a big mess of hurt-feelings and a betrayal of trust; all thanks to a gaping absence of communication.
This case is a microcosm for the world we all live in today: No one communicates. Like, ever. Words are always skewed, never to be taken at face value. Throughout the entirety of this aggressive back and forth, no one had the forethought to communicate, be considerate or assign some, even a dismal amount, of benefit of the doubt to one another, leading us to where we are today.
Maybe, just maybe, the world would be a better place if we could all learn from this feud. Everyone can be more considerate, more communicative. It just takes a little bit of effort.