Linkin Park's comeback with new singer Emily Armstrong has sparked controversy, with Chester Bennington's son Jaime Bennington accusing Mike Shinoda of “quietly erasing my father's life and legacy in real time”.
Jaime aired his grievances on social media following the band's September 5 livestream event, where Armstrong, formerly of Dead Sara, was introduced as the band's new co-lead singer.
The announcement followed weeks of speculation as Linkin Park teased fans with a countdown before revealing Armstrong as their new lead singer. They also released a new track, “The Emptiness Machine,” from their upcoming album From scratchwhich debuted at No. 24 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.
Armstrong joins the band following the death of Chester Bennington in 2017.
While many fans welcomed the band's new chapter, others raised concerns about the band's new frontwoman's past ties to Scientology and her past relationship with convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
In response to the backlash, Armstrong released a statement on September 6 via Instagram to address the controversy.
“Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend in a court appearance and went to an early hearing as an observer. I soon realized that I shouldn't. Since then I have never spoken to him,” she wrote. “To be as clear as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women and I sympathize with the victims of these crimes.”
Despite Armstrong's explanation, Jamie Bennington was deeply critical of Shinoda's decision to bring her into the band.
She said via Instagram on September 9, “You hired your longtime friend, Emily Armstrong, to replace Chester… knowing Emily's history in the church and her history as an ally of Danny Masterson.”
Jaime didn't hold back, accusing Shinoda of ignoring the impact this decision could have on the band's fan base, particularly those affected by sexual violence.
“You go out quietly[d] My father's life and legacy in real time… during international suicide prevention month and I refuse to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily without such a clear statement about the variety of victims that make up your core fan base.” Jaime said.
His criticisms did not stop there. He added, “You have betrayed the trust that decades of fans and supporters have placed in you, including myself. We trusted you to be the greatest, best man. Be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention. Now you're just senile and deaf.'
At the time of writing, neither Shinoda nor the band have publicly responded to Jaime Bennington's comments.
Chester, who joined the band in 1999, became an icon with the release of their debut album Hybrid Theory in 2000, followed by the highly successful Meteora (2003). His sudden death in 2017 left a deep void, both in the band and in his fans.
In a recent cover interview with Bulletin boardShinoda talked about the challenges of moving forward without Chester.
“Emily could always hit the notes and scream the parts,” Shinoda said, but also acknowledged that the change would take time for fans to accept. “It's going to be a question of 'How does it land with people?' And I don't know how it will be. But I know when I hear it, I like it.”
Shinoda reflected on the band's journey in creating their upcoming album, From scratch. “We didn't know how far our efforts would go. These have been years of struggle to understand what can and should be.”
From scratch will mark the band's first album One more lightreleased two months before Bennington's death. The set shot to No. 1 on Bulletin boardTop Rock & Alternative Albums chart in June 2017 and has earned 1 million equivalent album units to date.
Linkin Park's first show with Armstrong is scheduled for September 11 in Los Angeles. As From scratch is set to be released on November 15th.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/jamie-bennington-linkin-park-mike-shinoda-emily-armstrong-1235771097/