After a seven-year break from the spotlight, beloved nu-metal band Linkin Park (LP) is back! But with a new look. The shock of their return all started in late August when a timer set to 100 hours was posted to their X account. This had fans on their toes for about a week until the timer ended and restarted.

The countdown was for a surprise live stream on the band's YouTube channel. This then led to members of the band's fan club showing up to an undisclosed location and standing in a dark soundstage before founder and rhythm guitarist, Mike Shinoda walked out with other members of the band playing their new single “The Emptiness Machine.”

During the performance, fans were in store for the big surprise the band had been hiding up their sleeve, which was a new lead singer since the passing of front man Chester Bennington in 2017. New lead singer Emily Armstrong walked onstage, joining Shinoda and the rest of the band for the first time.

Carrisa Howard, a second-year radio student at Fanshawe, said she finds herself in the grey zone with this announcement.

“I think getting a new singer was a good decision,” said Howard.  “Her voice is a fitting choice for the band's image and previous sound, while also bringing a fresh perspective to the group. At times, it sounds like she's straining her voice too hard, so I worry a little about the longevity of her filling the role.”

The news received mixed reactions with some excited about Armstrong as the new power vocalist behind this new era of Linkin Park. Some other fans of the California rock band are against it and have been very critical, vocalizing their frustrations online to Shinoda.

The news outraged the late front man's son, Jaime Bennington, who posted his Instagram story slamming the band and Shinoda accusing them of trying to erase his father's legacy.

In the statement, he called out Shinoda for bringing on Armstrong, disregarding her ties to the Church of Scientology as well as voicing her support of convicted felon and former actor, Danny Masterson, a former friend to her.

He also added that the band's new album, From Zero, has been in the works since his father's passing and was not started during the pandemic. Chester's mother has also come forth on the band's return, saying she felt “betrayed” by the news.

“Everyone has a right to feel how they feel, because Chester was a founding member, I don't blame them for seeing this change as a betrayal,” said Howard.

Howard also said the band was a collective effort and that the other members had as much of a say on which way the future of the band was heading.

“The band and his son are [Chester’s] legacy. At the same time, though, the band is a business in which he was only a part of the leadership. Unless agreed upon by the group, the show must go on,' said Howard.

When the band kicked off their new world tour, Shinoda took to addressing the crowd saying, 'It is not about erasing the past, it's about starting this new chapter into the future and coming out here for every one of you.”

Despite the criticism and disapproval some fans are giving Armstrong, other LP fans are calling the fans with negative opinions to give the new vocalist a chance before judging so harshly and quickly.

“Everyone deserves at least a chance at something. Let's see what she's capable of and what she brings to the table before making any final judgements,” said Howard.

Amongst the other news concerning the band, original drummer Rob Bourdon departed the band on amicable terms informing the other members of his wishes to distance himself. He was later replaced by songwriter and producer Colin Brittain as the new drummer.

Lead guitarist, Brad Delson, said he has decided to still be a part of the band and work with the band during the creative process behind the scenes but step back from touring. It was announced that Alex Feder would step in for Delson as the band's touring lead guitarist.

The band's new album, From Zero, is slated for release on Nov. 15.