Linkin Park: A New Era
So, I’m hoping that by the time this is posted, everyone will have calmed down and gotten over themselves. Before I begin, please remember this whole post is simply one person’s opinion. I’m assuming you have heard about Linkin Park’s new lead singer. If you don’t know what I’m talking about. Linkin Park is possibly the greatest band in the history of music. And when you think Linkin Park, you think of Chester Bennington singing In the End, Numb, or What I’ve Done. Chester sadly committed suicide in 2017 and there has been no Linkin Park since.
It was a really dark time. For family members as well as the band he spent so much time with, I can’t imagine how they must have felt. It was also hard on fans. Linkin Park touched so many lives. Mike’s songs with Chester’s vocals got a lot of people through a lot of things. I remember when I was in outpatient therapy (a few months after his death) we were doing some art therapy thing and at the bottom of my paper I wrote the lyrics of their song Heavy.
I keep dragging around what’s bringing me down
If I just let go I’d be set free
Holding on
Why is everything so heavy
It’s still one of my favorite songs. There’s a video online of Mike Shinoda singing their song One More Light the fans are singing along and at the end they start chanting Chester’s name, and Mike was so grateful for that moment. He will never not be missed, but I feel like that goes for most people who make the decision to leave the world too soon. I was not only sad about what happened but also the fact that there was no way Linkin Park could go on without one of its most iconic members. Then about a week ago I saw they released a new music video, and I was like, “Well maybe it won’t be that bad”. As the music video went on, I saw this blond lady at a booth in the video, and then she started singing. And in the weirdest way, I could almost hear Chester in her voice. I got tears in my eyes.
I couldn’t believe they found another Linkin Park voice. Then I heard her sing some of the old songs and it was pretty good but there’s only one voice that can sing those songs, and I think she knows that. She’s not trying to replace him. Linkin Park is not trying to replace them. Even if they were it wouldn’t matter because it’s impossible. They just wanted to make music again. Everyone keeps bringing up “What Chester would want”, “What would make him proud”, or “Chester would be so disappointed”. You don’t know that. I don’t know that. No one will ever know because he’s dead. So I won’t write about what I think would make him proud.
I’m going to talk about a band that loved what they did and weren’t ready to give it up forever. It’s not like a year after he died, they just picked some rando and went on tour like nothing happened. Stop acting like spokespeople for people you don’t know or who aren’t here. If you don’t like her then don’t listen, but don’t try to make the remaining members feel like terrible people for following their dream. I guarantee if they were able to choose between Chester or this new chick they would choose Chester, but sadly that’s not possible.
Personally, I hope that once they have new albums they will stop performing Chester’s song. I heard her sing numb and she was just a bit too aggressive in my opinion, but right now they don’t have a ton of other songs to choose from so she’s doing her best to attempt to fill the tiniest bit of the gigantic hole that was left behind. They aren’t replacing him. No one could ever possibly replace him just like no one could replace you. No one is going to be a better you than you are.
Let them follow their dream. Don’t make them give it all up because of one person’s choice. Not everyone will agree so just ignore them. I know what it’s like when a group changes, and you can’t seem to let go of what was to enjoy what is. Sometimes that just takes time, so give other people the time they need. I always say that hurt people hurt people because it’s true. Let them go through their own process to come to terms with it. Some people may never and that’s a shame, but we should respect people’s feelings whatever they may be.
I’m looking forward to this new era of Linkin Park, and if you’re not that’s fine. It’s hard. It feels like supporting the band as they move forward means Chester will get left behind but that’s not the case. Go on Spotify or Apple Music or YouTube type in Iridescent and tell me who you hear. He made the world a better place and the music he left behind will continue to do that. Now the band that he left behind can do that too! This new era is an opportunity to continue to make the world a better place and continue what he started.
We don’t have to agree with each other to not be jerks to one another. Let’s not waste our time on things or people who bring negativity into our lives. Whether that’s politics, favorite sports teams, or new lead singers… Touch grass. There are so many better things to do than argue with people who aren’t going to change their minds and only want to fight. I could have been mad with how poorly Tottenham has played this season but instead, I decided that at this point not being relegated is reward enough. There are plenty of games for us to not be relegated and now I’m cool with how we are doing.
I’m sorry if you read this and don’t care. You could have just stopped but I appreciate you sticking it out to the end if you are still reading this. Let me know your thoughts about their new singer in the comments and I’ll see you in 2 weeks!
Sincerely,
LIBD