Chester Bennington's son recently criticized Linkin Park founder Mike Shinoda for the decision to replace his late father with vocalist Emily Armstrong. The band had announced their return after a seven-year hiatus following Chester's tragic death by suicide in 2017. Jaime Bennington expressed his disapproval on Instagram, questioning the choice to hire Armstrong as a replacement for his father. He also raised concerns about Armstrong's alleged connections to the Church of Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
Jaime accused the band of disregarding his father's legacy and impact by introducing Armstrong as the new lead vocalist during Suicide Prevention Month. He expressed disappointment in Shinoda for what he perceived as a betrayal of the fans' trust and a failure to honor Chester's memory. Mars Volta lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife also joined the criticism, highlighting Armstrong's silence on Scientology-related issues.
Armstrong responded to the backlash on her Instagram Story, clarifying her stance on abuse and violence against women. She distanced herself from Masterson and emphasized her support for the victims of such crimes. Linkin Park, on the other hand, announced their comeback with Armstrong as the lead vocalist and Colin Brittain as the new drummer, following Rob Bourdon's decision to step away.
The band's upcoming album, 'Zero,' is set to be released on November 15, featuring the single 'The Emptiness Machine.' The new lineup, including existing members Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix, and Joe Hahn, has been working towards restarting the band after years of private meetings. Despite the controversy surrounding the vocalist change, Linkin Park remains determined to continue their musical journey with a fresh perspective.
