Mike Shinoda says Linkin Park’s new singer, Emily Armstrong, reminds him of the late Chester Bennington

Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park discussed working with various musicians and how it differed from working with their late leader, Chester Bennington, in a recent episode of the Live One Podcast.

 "I had another human being in Chester, and I could give him ideas, and he could make them come to life like no one else."  Regarding his deceased bandmate, Shinoda remarked, "He was amazing."  "I had no better knowledge.  I hadn't worked with anyone else for as long.  This is what it's like to have a really fantastic vocalist, I thought. You can say, "Hey, what about this?" and they try it, and you both give each other a high five.  That's fantastic.

Shinoda also described the experience of working with other singers, saying, "I discovered that it's more difficult when I began working with other individuals.  That's not common.  I said, "I believe I know how to write a vocal, and they are really good at singing."  Everyone is skilled at what they do, so we get together and do it.

 Following Bennington's passing in 2017, the band began a seven-year hiatus.  They got back together this year with singer Emily Armstrong.  The decision was questioned by several fans who thought she was trying to sound like Chester.  We discussed adding her voice to pieces we had previously written that solely had my voice, however, Shinoda stated.  We were like that after doing that.

"The best part is when she sings, it's like the passion and she's just 100% herself," Shinoda continued.  Neither is she attempting to be Chester or anyone else.  It works because she is herself.

 Their lead single, "The Emptiness Machine," reached number four on the UK Official Singles Chart and number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the US despite the criticism.  Additionally, the band sold out shows in Los Angeles, New York, and London.