When Linkin Park took the stage at the Billboard Music Awards 2024, fans going wild, it was a sure sign that the band had made a truly triumphant return from their hiatus. After the tragic loss of singer Chester Bennington, fans waited in limbo for seven years, wondering what the future of the band may hold. Then, in 2024, the band released a new single, ‘The Emptiness Machine,’ along with the reveal of a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, formerly the vocalist of Dead Sara.
While it was agreed that no one would be able to replace Chester, doubt about the band’s future was soon put to rest by the success of ‘The Emptiness Machine.’ The song reached number one on the charts in 8 countries and was in the top twenty in an additional 17. The fans’ positive reaction to the song can be seen in the video of the band’s performance at the Billboard Music Awards 2024. One fan commented, “Listen to that crowd!” on the online video, which received over 1.2M views in only a month.
Watch the video down below and don’t forget to share this beautiful song with your friends and family…
Many fans left comments on the video praising Emily Armstrong for her performance. The singer was revealed to fans during Linkin Park’s first-ever performance after their hiatus. During their first performance of ‘The Emptiness Machine,’ Mike Shinoda initially took lead vocals, leading fans to assume that he would be taking over Chester’s role in the band. Then, halfway through the song, Emily Armstrong strode onstage and began to sing, revealing that she was the new lead singer of Linkin Park.
With Chester Bennington’s shoes to fill, Emily is sure to have been nervous when taking the stage with Linkin Park for the first time that night. However, presenting herself with confidence, she left no room for anyone to doubt that she was a fantastic new addition to the band. Music Man fans will be stunned at how her vocals hold the same raw quality as Chester’s, proving the singer is able to fulfill the band’s iconic sound without trying to copy what came before.
For many, including the band themselves, it would have been difficult to imagine Linkin Park continuing without Chester Bennington. While stating that he did intend to continue with music, Mike Shinoda was quoted in 2019 as saying, “It’s not my goal to look for a new singer. If it does happen, it has to happen naturally.” Music Man fans will agree that Emily Armstrong certainly seems to be a natural fit for the band and, with her lending her voice to the music, the legacy of Linkin Park will be able to continue for years to come as they honor their past and move into the future.
Linkin Park’s powerful return demonstrates a promising new chapter for the band with Emily Armstrong taking center stage. The success of “The Emptiness Machine” and their electrifying Billboard Music Awards performance mark a hopeful new era.
