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Linkin Park’s Risky Rebirth Paid Off
An initially messy return paved the way for a balanced new album.
Shinoda, an L.A. rapper and producer, was searching for a new vocalist for his rap-metal start-up Xero, whose original crooner tanked a crucial record-label showcase months prior; his Phoenix-area counterpart couldn’t figure out what to do with himself after the disintegration of his grunge outfit, Grey Daze. The wisdom of this tack is further called into question by Bennington’s family’s complaints, which at best paint the new endeavor as a stop-at-nothing push forward that moved like it didn’t need their input, and at worst claim there was an urge to replace the “Crawling” singer before the original lineup’s untimely end. To want the best for Linkin Park is to see Shinoda, Hahn, and bassist Phoenix fulfilled; to appreciate the needs of non-touring guitarist Brad Delson and the wish of original drummer Rob Bourdon to leave kit duties behind; and to make sure Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain get a fair shake while protecting Bennington’s memory and next of kin.
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