Linkin Park are back together, but their reunion has already been marred by controversy. The band’s new co-vocalist Emily Armstrong was part of a group of Scientologists who showed up at the courthouse to support That ’70s Show actor Danny Masterson during his 2020 rape trial, where he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. The choice to have Armstrong fill in for the late Chester Bennington received quite a bit of backlash, notably from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of the Mars Volta/At The Drive-In. His wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler was one of the four women who pursued rape charges against Masterson, and now, she has spoken out against Armstrong as well.
I read this whole thread, and started out kinda disagreeing with you, but I actually agree with you now. You make some very good points. Nobody is bringing this same energy to artists that are openly preaching for their own cults.
I’m not really a huge LP fan so I wasn’t going to listen to them too much anyways, but this whole thing is blown way out of proportion. I guess I can still somewhat understand people just being mad that they kept the name. Really should’ve rebranded, in my opinion, because they aren’t the same band. But, as long as she isn’t preaching Scientology in LP lyrics, people that care are mostly all hypocrites.
I appreciate it.
And I mostly agree, it isn’t really the same band. Can’t say I object to the name staying the same since it was never “Chester’s band, Linkin Park”. It was a group effort, and as much as I love Chester, he was only part of what made them what they were.
As it stands now, there’s only one member from the original linkin park lineup not involved, and it seems like he’s just done with music entirely, at least as a performer.
If Shinoda had just hired on an entire new group, and used the name, I’d be annoyed. Wouldn’t necessarily reject it, but wouldn’t be standing in line for the new album either.
And it isn’t like there isn’t plenty of bands that have moved forward with a band after losing a vocalist, while keeping the original name.
But, yeah, I appreciate you taking the time to respond a lot. Thanks :)