New Linkin Park Singer Emily Armstrong on the Pressure & Chester Bennington's 'Passion' of Singing Vocals

Emily Armstrong takes the bitter with the sweet as she steps into her new role as Linkin Park's co-singer amid the band's surprise.

While speaking to Bulletin boardJason Lipshutz on the rock group's secret comeback, Dead co-founder Sara spoke about both the excitement she feels and the emotions that accompany Chester Bennington, whose death in 2017 led Linkin Park to take a seven- long hiatus. “There's so much in this band – this is a very, very important band in this world,” Armstrong told the Bulletin board's exclusive published on Thursday (September 5).

“I'm on cloud nine, but then it makes you have a lot of work to do,” he continued. “And going to them [older] songs, from a unique voice that is dear to so many people — it's like, “How can I be myself in this, but also continue the emotion and what he brought to this band?”

“It's Chester's voice and it's mine, but I want to still feel the way I do when I hear the song, because that's what the fans love,” Armstrong added. “There's a passion to it that I hope I can fill.”

The interview arrived on the same day that Linkin Park announced their big comeback, with Armstrong as Mike Shinoda's new co-vocalist and Colin Brittain signing on as drummer and co-producer. The band also has a new album, from scratch arrives Nov. 15 and plans to embark on a major tour starting with six arena shows this fall.

The team also spoke with Bulletin board to keep their reunion under wraps before the big announcement, wanting to make sure everything went perfectly with their late partner. “Part of working in the dark was just not knowing how far our efforts would go,” said DJ/visual director Joe Hahn. “We didn't want to let ourselves or anyone else down if we couldn't do it.”

He added, “These have been years of struggle to understand what can and should be.”