After a seven-year hiatus, Linkin Park is bringing the band back with two new members!
The thought alone brings me back to secondary school, when things were simpler, and me wearing headphones everywhere like the ultimate antisocial was understandable. Good times!
GIF: Phineas & Ferb (2007)
In case you can’t tell, I’m a total fanboy, from the top to the bottom! And I am beyond thrilled for what’s to come in this new chapter of the band, including a new album coming out on November 15th!
But not everyone’s happy about this, with the new members past associations under scrutiny, as well as questions about identity, legacy, and authenticity cropping up.
On this note, I’d like to give my two cents, in my capacity as both a long-time fan and casual philosophy enjoyer.
But first, a little introduction for the unacquainted: Linkin Park is an American band formed in 1996, whose music often addresses themes of emotional struggle and mental health, complemented by a unique blend of rock and metal.
Image: Loudwire
Their songs grew to include other themes like sadness, longing, even hope. Their sound also evolved, incorporating elements such as electronica, hip-hop, and even rap!
They were also very vocal about mental health with Chester Bennington, the lead vocalist, having openly discussed his struggles and actively advocating for mental health support.
Tragically, after releasing their seventh studio album, One More Light, Chester Bennington took his own life in 2017, and Linkin Park went on hiatus.
Chester’s impact on Linkin Park’s identity cannot be overstated. He was more than a lead vocalist; he was the voice of a generation grappling with mental health struggles. His emotional depth and authenticity resonated with countless fans, and his passing left an indelible mark on the band and its legacy.
Image: Reddit. Linkin Park’s logo before and after the passing of Chester Bennington
It is not surprising, then, that on September 5 this year, when Linkin Park announced the band’s comeback — with Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain’s entry into the band as Lead Vocalist and Drummer respectively — it ignited discussions about the memory of Chester, and consequently, the identity and legacy of the band.
It’s very similar to the Ship of Theseus paradox.
For those who don’t know, the paradox goes: there is a ship, known as the Ship of Theseus, that is gradually having its parts replaced with new ones as they wear out, till eventually, every part of the ship is replaced. The question arises: Is it still the same ship?
Just as the Ship of Theseus prompts us to consider whether an object retains its identity despite undergoing significant transformation, we can ask: Does Linkin Park still embody its essence with new members? In the end, does it even matter?
Image: WandaVision (2021)
To me, Linkin Park has continually experimented and evolved their sound, to the point that fans would lament that they miss the “old” Linkin Park and that they aren’t the same anymore.
Yet, some elements stay constant: The raw emotional honesty in their lyrics, consistent themes of identity and belonging, and the finesse in blending vastly different voices — powerful screams, melodic vocals, and rap.
To be fair, Linkin Park isn’t the first music act to have new members: Look at AKB48 or HKT48 (to name a few), with a built-in system of members joining and leaving, or BabyMetal, with Yuimetal leaving, and Momometal joining shortly after.
Fans often find solace in the familiar — a nostalgia for the sound present in their youth. I think this contributes to their negative reaction to Emily and Colin’s addition.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that transformation is an inherent part of any artistic endeavor, as well as life.
While Chester’s absence is profoundly felt, it is also essential to honor the evolution of the band’s artistry. In the same way an artist’s style might shift while still retaining their voice, Linkin Park’s core message persists, even as their lineup changes.
David Hume, an 18th-century philosopher, argued that our identity is a combination of our perceptions, experiences and memories, rather than a singular, unchanging entity. Since our perceptions are constantly changing, our identity is also a product of ongoing change, even if it can be unsettling.
However, Derek Parfit, a contemporary philosopher, made an interesting point: It’s not so much identity that matters, rather, it’s psychological continuity and connectedness that hold significance. To relate to Hume, it’s valid that change can be unsettling. This can explain why we feel a certain way seeing Emily take the stage: The departure from Chester is just too great a change for some to accept.
Personally, I welcome Emily’s inclusion in the band. While mindlessly slogging through data entry last week, I played their 3-hour concert in Seoul, and wow, the energy was oozing off my little phone screen, translating to pure adrenaline. There were points in the video where Emily could not keep up mid-verse and had to catch her breath mid-song, clearly highlighting the pressure she’s under from walking in his shoes. Despite these “skill issues”, the same energy I felt years ago, I felt it here, still.
Image: BBC
As the new lineup steps into the spotlight, they are not merely trying to fill a void left by Chester; they are bringing their unique voices and stories into a space that has always championed diversity in sound and emotion.
That’s very in line with what Linkin Park has always stood for. I look forward to their future work, change included!
Image: Variety
What do you think of this situation? Have there been changes in your life that perturbed you? How did you deal with it? Or are you just like me — “no thoughts, head empty”, just happy they’re back together?