Linkin Park are still proving themselves worthy to some metal fans after their controversial lineup change shocked the rock scene last year. But one recent live clip of the band performing their explosive new single, “The Emptiness Machine,” has been winning fans back in rapid succession, amassing a staggering 23 million views in just five months on YouTube!
“The Emptiness Machine” marked the band’s first single since the untimely death of lead singer Chester Bennington sent Linkin Park crashing to a halt. It was met by a burning mix of love and hatred — fans bouncing off the walls at the chance to hear their favorite band live again, and ex-fans left in disgust that the remaining bandmates could replace an icon like Chester so easily.
But this song, debuting Linkin Park’s brand new era with new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong, is a cunning choice to ease fans into her groove.
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Co-founder Mike Shinoda takes center stage for this performance, taking on the first verse and chorus for himself to gloss that classic Linkin Park sound over the new track. But just as fans start to taste the disappointment brewed by Chester’s absence, Emily struts in from the sidelines to shock the audience with a striking verse of her own. Her bright melodies carve clean through the electro-metal grit, serving Hayley Williams of Paramore with sharpened daggers in her tone, slaying the chorus with jagged screams.
This viral clip gives old-school Linkin Park fans a glimpse of Emily’s extravagant vocal diversity, from chart-topping pop notes to the guttural shout-singing that crowns every nu-metal icon. And she certainly didn’t let fans down with this performance. Over 15,000 comments flood the comments section; the most liked all being words of praise.
While one fan rationalized the choice behind getting Emily on the team, writing, “She’s exactly what the band needed strategically. The choice for a female vocalist is brilliant, otherwise a male vocalist would carry the burden and anathema of permanently being compared to Chester,” another sympathized with Emily’s nerve-wracking position of filling Chester’s empty space: “I can’t even imagine the amount of stress involved in getting on stage and facing a crowd in an unprecedented situation like this, and yet she still absolutely killed it. Her voice is incredible.”
But, “it’s not about replacing the captain,” as one fan wrote, “it’s about keeping the ship moving. I can’t help but feel happy for them starting all over again. Chester would be proud.” Another even pointed out the perfect vocal match, writing, “I can hear Chester in there.”
Linkin Park’s evolution with Emily Armstrong at the helm is a testament to their resilience and creativity. “The Emptiness Machine” has captivated both old and new fans, leaving an undeniable mark on the rock scene. To delve deeper into their transformative journey or catch more of their electrifying performances, explore the links below.