- "The inheritance left by my father has been eliminated" or "The impact of my father's heritage has been erased".
Jamie Bennington (28), offspring of the late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington (1976-2017), has swung some sharp critiques at the band's comeback. In a chat with Billboard magazine, he leveled accusations at co-vocalist Mike Shinoda (47) of "wiping out the existence and legacy of my dad live and in color." He also tagged Shinoda as "senile and tone-deaf."
Debatable choice of new vocalist
Linkin Park's reappearance in early September stirred up a range of reactions. The group announced their return through a live-stream gig to their worldwide following, revealing that Emily Armstrong (38), lead vocalist of rock band Dead Sara, would be adding her voice alongside founding member Mike Shinoda. Yet, this move didn't sit well with numerous fans, who criticized it due to Armstrong's past associations with Scientology and convicted felon Danny Masterson (48). On September 6, Armstrong weighed in, acknowledging her attendance at Masterson's court hearing but swiftly disassociating herself from him later. She stated, "I have zero tolerance for abuse or violence towards women, and I put myself in the shoes of the victims of such heinous crimes."
"Wiping out the existence and legacy of my dad live and in color"
According to Jaime Bennington, Mike Shinoda is the mastermind behind the recruitment of the new vocalist: "You're obliterating the life and legacy of my father right in front of our eyes - during international suicide prevention month. You're ignoring the repercussions of Emily's beliefs on our fanbase. There isn't a clear statement of support for victims of violence within our community. You've misused the faith that fans and supporters, including me, have shown towards you for decades. We trusted you to rise above the ordinary, but now you've turned into a senile and clueless old man."
"I genuinely enjoy it when I listen to it"
In the face of severe backlash, Mike Shinoda has praised his band's comeback and Emily Armstrong's new role: "Emily has always hit the right notes and delivered the scorching parts," he said. He conceded that fans might require time to embrace this transformation: "The real question will be about the reception from the audience. I'm unsure about the response, but I genuinely enjoy it when I listen to it." It will be intriguing to observe how the fans respond to the group's first album and live performances after Chester Bennington's demise in 2017. Linkin Park's first show with Emily Armington is scheduled for September 11 in Los Angeles, while their first album titled "From Zero" is set to drop on November 15.
Jaime Bennington's criticism of Mike Shinoda extended beyond just the new vocalist, as he accused Shinoda of attempting to "wipe out the existence and legacy of my dad" through Linkin Park's comeback. Despite this, Shinoda remained confident in their decision, expressing enjoyment in the new music and anticipating the fans' response.
