Last Thursday, the 5th, Linkin Park surprised everyone when, in a live stream, they introduced the band's new singer: Emily Armstrong , from Dead Sara.
The set, which lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes, began with the band's new single, "The Emptiness Machine," and the announcement of the band's first album in seven years, From Zero , scheduled for release on November 15th. This will be LP's first work without Chester Bennington – who passed away in 2017 – and with a new vocalist.
In an interview with Billboard (transcribed by Kerrang! ), Mike Shinoda detailed how the band decided to "do a serious temperature check" while in the studio with Dead Sara's singer to see if she was willing to fully commit.
“They say, ‘Hey, um, just a few questions,’” Emily recalls. “So, you know, we have some shows coming up, and some big festival stuff. And, you know, there’s a year left, and we think you’d be great. We think you could sing all the old songs, and we love what you do and what’s happening with this whole process…”
“I was like, ‘Cool, cool!’ I had already spoken to the people around me, and Dead Sara, who said, ‘Absolutely. If they ask, it’s obvious.’ I was already paying attention just to be sure, and they were paying attention too.”
Emily continues: “So imagine hearing that, and then you have to go back to the studio carefree, and they say, ‘Okay, Emily, let’s think of another line, we’re working on the verse!’ I can’t think of anything else, and I have to pretend I’m not [freaking out]. I’m there for a few more hours, and I’m just trying to stay calm, because they’re calm. But there’s no way you can process that.”
“I remember we were there late that night, and then I was panicking in the best way: ‘Is this real?’ For at least three days, I don’t remember touching the ground. And then everything was different when I came back down – knowing that my life would be different, in the best way. I returned to a dreamland.”
Check out below how the live performance went, followed by the single "The Emptiness Machine," the album cover from From Zero , and the tracklist.
Linkin Park – From Zero
From Zero (Intro)
The Emptiness Machine
Cut The Bridge
Heavy Is The Crown
Over Each Other
Casualty
Overflow
Two Faced
Stained
IGYEIH
Good Things Go
The band's return
The band also announced six arena shows in Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogotá as part of the From Zero World Tour . Exclusive pre-sales for the LP Underground fan club begin this Friday, September 6th, and general sales start the following day, September 7th. Visit the official website for more information.
Regarding this new phase, Shinoda states: “Before Linkin Park, our first band was called Xero. The title of this album refers both to that humble beginning and to the journey we are currently on. Sonically and emotionally, it’s about the past, the present, and the future, embracing our signature sound but in a new and vibrant way. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and old bandmates, our friends, our family, and our fans. We are proud of what Linkin Park has become over the years and excited about the journey ahead.”
Who is Emily Armstrong?
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Emily is best known as the vocalist for Dead Sara. In 2002, she began playing with guitarist Siouxsie Medley, whom she met through a mutual friend.
Initially known as Epiphany, Dead Sara featured her on vocals and bass. The band toured for the first time in 2007 and, in 2010, founded their own independent label, Pocket Kid Records, and released their self-titled debut album in 2012.
Dead Sara's second album, Pleasure to Meet You , and a 4-song EP, Covers , were also released by Pocket Kid. The covers included two versions of Nirvana Rage Against the Machine 's "Killing in the Name," Patti Smith 's "Ask the Angels .
In 2018, the EP Temporary Things Taking Up Space was released by Atlantic. They recorded their third album, Ain't It Tragic , during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released by Warner Records in 2021.
Armstrong received significant attention as a singer even before the release of Dead Sara's debut album. Grace Slick said Armstrong was a singer she admired in a 2011 Wall Street Journal Courtney Love Hole 's 2010 album , Nobody's Daughter.
She has also recorded and performed with artists such as The Offspring, Beck, Demi Lovato, Awolnation , and Robby Krieger of The Doors.