Linkin Park’s new album, “From Zero,” is their first release since the tragic suicide of their former lead vocalist, Chester Bennington, during 2017. Rumors circulated prior to the album’s release about the band choosing to replace Bennington with a new vocalist, Emily Armstrong. After revealing these rumors to be true prior to the release of their newest album, Linkin Park’s “From Zero” provides the first major look at the new sound developed during the band’s absence. Armstrong joins with the rest of the band to create a work that serves as a powerful demonstration of the group’s new voice.
“From Zero” begins with the song “The Emptiness Machine,” describing a person lamenting their choice to give into another’s expectations despite knowing how badly it will hurt them. As the first song recorded by the band following the death of Chester Bennington, it takes on a double meaning: just as the singer is aware that trying to change who they are to appease someone else will only hurt them, Linkin Park uses the song and its position as the first on the album to address criticism they may face as a result of their new direction. Armstrong doesn’t take center stage until about halfway through the track, following an intro sung by longtime member Mike Shinoda. Rather than attempting to answer potential criticisms by playing up the presence of their new singer, Linkin Park instead chose to naturally implement her. This pattern continued through the rest of the album. “From Zero” may deal with the struggles that come with answering to the demands of others, but the composition of the album clearly sees no need to do so.
Momentum continues through the next song, “Cut The Bridge,” before climaxing at “Heavy is the Crown,” an early turning point in the album. First premiered at the 2024 World Championship for the video game “League of Legends,” “Heavy is the Crown” has been compared to Linkin Park’s 2003 song, “Faint.” Both songs deal with a satisfying, albeit self-destructive, release of anger directed towards an unnamed figure. Unlike “Faint,” however, “Heavy is the Crown” is more self-aware in its rage. While it may mirror “Faint’s” use of an intro featuring string instruments, aggressive guitar backings and outright screaming, “Heavy is the Crown” is clearly written from a more seasoned perspective. The song’s choice to frame the singer’s anger as an act of retribution, rather than merely being an emotional demand for attention, reframes its anger in a crucial way.
“From Zero” becomes more contemplative following “Heavy is the Crown,” alternating between laid-back songs such as “Over Each Other” and intense pieces such as “IGYEIH.” The album’s final track, “Good Things Go,” is the band’s own way of acknowledging the late Chester Bennington. Focusing on the importance of cherishing good things when you have them, the song sounds very similar to pieces from Linkin Park’s previous album, 2017’s “One Light.” Given “One Light” was the last album Chester Bennington would lend his vocal talents to, it’s likely the band intended for “Good Things Go” to be a way to give him a final thank you before fully setting off for new musical horizons.
“From Zero” acts as an effective foundation for Linkin Park’s future works. Armstrong’s vocals are a perfect fit for the established sound of the band, and their ability to draw on past work to create something fresh and new serves as a rewarding experience for longtime fans. While we are certainly at the dawn of a new era for Linkin Park, “From Zero” makes it clear that doesn’t mean the band intends to stray from their roots.