Mike Shinoda Calls New Linkin Park Singer Emily Armstrong A ‘Total Phenomenon’, Says Band’s Return Feels Like A ‘Rebirth’

In a new interview, Linkin Park‘s Mike Shinoda has showered praise on the band’s new singer, Emily Armstrong, calling her a “total phenomenon” and comparing her vocal talent to that of the late Chester Bennington. He described the band’s current chapter as a “rebirth” and emphasized the natural chemistry the band felt with both Armstrong and new drummer Colin Brittain.

Speaking with Chile’s Futuro, Shinoda reflected on the overwhelmingly positive fan response to the band’s return and the addition of their new members. He highlighted the extraordinary nature of finding a vocalist of Armstrong‘s caliber.

“ It’s just a very exciting time. It’s kind of a rebirth of the band.”

“Emily is a total phenomenon,” Shinoda stated. “For us to find a once-in-a-generation voice like Chester and then to find another one like Emily is crazy. It doesn’t make any sense.”

He explained that the decision to bring Armstrong into the fold went far beyond just her vocal abilities. “It’s not just the singing, ’cause there’s thousands and thousands of great singers out there,” he said. “There’s an intangible thing that happens when people get in a room and they make things together, and you just feel like the vibe is so effortless and strong and easy… Nobody’s killing the energy, the vibe. And that was the experience we had with Emily and Colin.”

Shinoda detailed the “slow and organic build” that led to the band’s return, which began simply with the members getting together to write music again. “We hoped we would end up here, but a lot of things had to go right in order for that to happen. And they did,” he said.

He also praised the seamless integration of new drummer Colin Brittain, whose addition came about almost by chance. Shinoda discovered Brittain‘s drumming talent while working with him as a producer, realizing he was the perfect fit after original drummer Rob Bourdon decided not to continue. “All of a sudden he got behind the drum kit and I was, like, ‘Oh my God. He’s an amazing drummer,'” Shinoda recalled.

Shinoda emphasized that the band’s focus during the creation of their comeback album, From Zero, was purely artistic, not commercial. “When we’re making things, we’re not thinking about hits,” he explained. “First and foremost, we wanna love what we’re doing, we wanna love playing it every night, we wanna feel like it artistically represents an important chapter for the band.”

You can check the interview down below.