The return of alt-rock/nu metal band Linkin Park has been anything but smooth. Since the tragic death of frontman Chester Bennington in 2017, the group had been on an indefinite hiatus. When they announced their comeback, original drummer Rob Bourdon chose not to participate, leaving the band with two key positions to fill. Enter drummer Colin Brittain and vocalist Emily Armstrong, co-founder of Dead Sara. Armstrong's addition, in particular, sparked significant debate and backlash. It was inevitable that whoever replaced Bennington would face intense scrutiny, with many arguing that the band should have disbanded or reformed under a new name out of respect for their late singer. However, controversy soon erupted when Bennington's son publicly accused the band of betraying fans' trust, and Chester's mother, Susan Eubanks, felt blindsided by the news of the new singer. She claimed the remaining members had promised to inform her first, expressing her sense of betrayal and accusing Linkin Park of trying to erase the past by having Armstrong perform her son's songs.
Adding to the drama, Armstrong found herself in the headlines this year for another controversy. Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and his wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler called her out on social media, alleging that Armstrong had ties to actor Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023 after being convicted of two of three forcible rape charges. Carnell-Bixler was one of several women who accused Masterson of sexual assault. Bixler-Zavala and Carnell-Bixler, both former Scientologists, claimed that Armstrong and other church members harassed them and other witnesses over their allegations against Masterson. Armstrong, who attended Masterson's court appearance in support, later stated that she did not condone abuse against women and did not address her connections to Scientology.
Despite the drama, the question remains: what about the music? Linkin Park's eighth album, 'From Zero,' aptly titled, signifies a fresh start and a rebirth. The name also holds a dual meaning, as the band's original name was Xero. Before even hearing the album, it feels like a bold statement of intent: they're back, they're new, and they're honoring their roots. And indeed, they do. After experimenting with poppier sounds, the first listen of 'From Zero' reveals a band seeking renewal by paying homage to their past. The results are mixed. While some tracks evoke nostalgia for the band's glory days, it's not a complete rehash. For that, co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and company deserve credit. Armstrong, in particular, delivers a strong performance, showcasing Bennington's ability to switch between throat-punishing screams and melodic wailing. Her vocal inflections even resemble his on certain tracks, without resorting to cheap imitation, proving her induction into the band was a wise artistic choice.
However, the tracklisting on 'From Zero' has an uneven dynamic: for every anthemic hit, there's a dud. The barnstorming lead single 'The Emptiness Machine' gives way to the underwhelming 'Cut The Bridge.' The rousing 'Heavy Is The Crown' is followed by the forgettable power ballad 'Over Each Other.' The slightly forced 'Casuality' is succeeded by the stale 'Overflow,' sounding like an Imagine Dragons B-side. When each alternating track on an album barely over 30 minutes long falls into the 'listenable but ultimately forgettable' category, it's hard not to wish Linkin Park 2.0 had ensured their return was less hit-and-miss.
It can be argued that the band faces a tough challenge with this album. Too much nostalgia risks coasting on past glories, while too much experimentation risks alienating fans. 'From Zero' manages the balancing act, thanks mainly to a strong finish. They break the pattern with the riff-tastic 'Two Faced,' followed by fist-swinging tunes like 'Stained,' 'IGYEIH,' and 'Good Things Go,' closing the album on a high note. Ultimately, the 2024 version of Linkin Park doesn't reach the heights of 'Hybrid Theory,' 'Meteora,' or even 'Minutes to Midnight.' However, they deserve credit for producing invigorating, crowd-pleasing songs that capture the band's punchy nu-metal sound. 'From Zero' functions as a serviceable reset, though it's not the triumphant comeback many were hoping for. Give them time—they're just getting started. They'll find their place eventually.
'From Zero' is out now. Linkin Park will embark on a world tour next year, with European stops in June and July in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, UK, and France.
Source link: https://www.euronews.com
