Mike Shinoda recently opened up about the band’s internal struggles and concerns regarding Linkin Park’s return with new vocalist Emily Armstrong. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Music Connection.
The Linkin Park co-founder discussed the extensive doubts and fears the band faced during their hiatus following Chester Bennington’s passing.
“There were so many weeks and months where it was like, ‘Well, this is doomed; it’s just not going to happen,'” Shinoda said. “I don’t see how we’re ever going to solve all the things that are wrong with trying to get back out on the road.”
Shinoda elaborated on the specific challenges the band anticipated, particularly regarding fan reception and finding a replacement vocalist.
“We’re going to have to find a singer, and nobody’s going to be able to live up to that, even if they were good, it’s going to be too much pressure, the fans aren’t going to accept it,” he continued. “No one’s going to like it… That sounds like a recipe for disaster.”
The musician also reflected on the emotional difficulty of rebuilding the band after such a significant loss.
“Having a band with the history that we did—that we have—and having it effectively fall to pieces, and then picking it all up and trying again, was—is—so difficult,” Shinoda explained.
The band eventually found their path forward through a careful selection process that led them to Emily Armstrong despite these overwhelming concerns.
AltWire reported that the band ultimately chose Emily Armstrong, known for her powerful vocals in the Los Angeles rock band Dead Sara, as their new lead singer. The band made the announcement at their “From Zero” event in September 2024. Armstrong’s musical journey began at an early age. Wikipedia noted that she started writing songs and playing guitar at age 11 and began singing at 15. She eventually dropped out of high school to pursue her dream of being in a rock band.
Her experience with Dead Sara proved valuable in preparing her for the challenges of joining such an established band. Linkinpedia documented that Armstrong’s gritty, intense vocal style and experience overcoming challenges with Dead Sara were seen as significant assets by the band during their search for a new direction.
The band’s confidence in their choice became evident in Shinoda’s public statements about the new lineup. The Standard featured Shinoda’s praise for Armstrong’s contribution to the band’s evolution.
“The more we worked with Emily and Colin [Brittain, new drummer], the more we enjoyed their world-class talents, their company and the things we created,” Shinoda said. “We feel really empowered with this new line-up and the vibrant and energised new music we’ve made together.”
These comments provide insight into the band’s decision-making process before announcing their comeback with Emily Armstrong as their new vocalist.
