After seven years, which marks the formal period for mourning the death of a loved one, Linkin Park announced their comeback. During a live streamed event on the 5th of September new vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain officially joined the band alongside Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn and Dave Farrell. The band released their new album ”From Zero” on 15 November 2024.
The album starts with a short intro which contains some talking between Armstrong and Shinoda, and flows into ”The Emptiness Machine”, the debut song of this album. The song starts with Mike Shinoda singing the first verse and chorus with some soft background music. After the chorus there is a build up to the second verse where we have the debut of Emily Armstrong. The music gets a bit harder and louder, and when the chorus hits, Armstong shows what she is made of, but still doesn’t give her all. She saved that energy for after the bridge where she gave us a sneak peak of what her voice is capable of doing.
After ”The Emptiness Machine” we slide into some guitar riffs and drums with ”Cut the Bridge” which gives new drummer Colin Brittain some opportunities to show his talent. The drums are on the front during the whole song. We see some teamwork between Shinoda and Armstrong. Shinoda rapping the verses and Armstrong singing the chorus.
Next song is ”Heavy is the Crown”. This song is used as the main theme for Riot Games 2024 League of Legends World Championship and a slower, more melodic version was used in the serie Arcane League of Legends. The album version is heavier and reminds me of some older work from Linkin Park. Shinoda sings the verses and Armstrong screams on top of her lungs and shows us her talent and her place in this band.
Now a little break from the heavy screaming in ”Over Each Other”. Not only can Armstrong scream and have these raspy high notes. In this song she shows her multi talent by singing this melodic song with some high notes all by herself. The song really is different from the rest of the album but I think it is a perfect example of the new road Linkin Park is taking.
By the end of the song we hear Shinoda, Farrell and Hahn saying: ”You got it. That’s the one. Are you recording this? Kay, get your screaming pants on.” Armstrong does what she has been told and starts with screaming the intro for ”Casualty”. A signal for the drums and the guitars to let us hear some heavy riffs. Shinoda even starts to scream his verses. The song is a perfect live anthem for a mosh pit during their upcoming tour.
”Two Faced” reminds me of the album ”Hybrid Theory”. The style of the song, the rapping verses and the easy to catch lyrics of the chorus makes this song a personal favorite for me. I think this song will be loved by the crowd during the tour and reminds them of the old times. The song ends with a conversation between the band.
”Stained” has a 20 seconds intro and Shinoda shows his rapping skills. During the first chorus you only hear Armstrong with some electronic music in the background. After that the drums and guitars join until the bridge. Then it is just Armstrong and electronic music again. During the final chorus the whole band joins again.
With ”From Zero” Linkin Park really made their comeback and showed the fans that they still care about them; even though many fans still mourn the death of Chester Bennington and will always remember him. The band really paid some hommage but also takes a new direction. The band is currently touring and will do a world tour in 2025. This will be without Brad Delson, who will be replaced by Alex Feder.
Rating: 8/10
Release Date: 15th November 2024
Label: Warner records / Machine Shop
Writer: Milou
Tracklist:
- 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
