Linkin Park Blend Sounds, Styles on New Album, ‘From Zero’
Linkin Park has officially released a new album, “From Zero.” – Author: Charles Ken, Photo via James Minchin III
Linkin Park have returned with their first album since the passing of lead vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017. That album, “From Zero,” out Friday, features two new members: co-lead vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer and co-producer Colin Brittain. In addition, “From Zero” brings together co-lead vocalist and producer Mike Shinoda, DJ and video director Joe Hahn, guitarist and co-producer Brad Delson, and bass player Dave Farrell. So, it’s a mix of the old and new.
What People Are Saying About ‘From Zero’
As expected, the reviews for “From Zero” have been mixed, but most of them have been on the positive side. Metal Injection gave the release an 8.5 stars, saying that “from a purely and solely artistic lens, the record is extremely successful at recapturing the group’s magic with just enough newness to keep it intriguing. While no one could fill Bennington’s shoes, Armstrong (who, again, isn’t trying to do that) is unquestionably skilled and fresh enough to be a great successor to him as well.”
They added, “Put another way, listeners who approach From Zero with an unbiased and welcoming mind will find that it’s a triumphant return from one of the biggest rock bands of the last 25 years.”
Listening to “From Zero,” it’s true that longtime fans will find some familiar sounds on here. That’s a bittersweet thing, since not having Bennington in the band almost makes one want the new Linkin Park release to sound totally different from any other Linkin Park record. But, that’s why the strength of this album is in the unique songs that make this current incarnation of Linkin Park so different from what it was before.
The Guardian gives the release four out of five stars, noting, “They were always unafraid to take sonic risks, and another sonic risk is exactly what their comeback constitutes – one that has handsomely paid off.”
Also in their review, The Guardian states, “Managing to sound refreshed and current without denying the past is impressive at this stage in their career, but perhaps Linkin Park unwittingly laid the groundwork long before Bennington died.”
Kerrang also gives the release four out of five stars. They state, “Sure, not every song is something to write home about, and not everyone is going to be on board with a new singer, but as a piece of work, it’s a clear reminder of why Linkin Park reached the heights they did and continue to influence multiple generations of artists.”
Nobody will ever replace Bennington. He was truly one of a kind. Nobody should every try to replace him, either. Going forward, it would be great to see Linkin Park forge ahead with this new sound and style and find their identity today, aside from what the band was with Chester in the fold. While the classic-sounding songs are fine, they should really go beyond that.
Even before the album was officially released, the band already announced a blockbuster arena tour behind it hitting 59 cities. It’s the kind of tour they would have done with Bennington on board, so it’s fascinating to see that the band still has enough pull to book arenas in its first tour since his passing. Find tour dates on Linkin Park’s official website.
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