New Linkin Park singer faces allegations of ties to Scientology, Danny Masterson
Global News
Linkin Park is preparing to release its first new album in over seven years since the death of frontman Chester Bennington
Linkin Park announced that a new singer and drummer have joined the band as they prepare to release their first new album in over seven years since the death of frontman Chester Bennington.
Vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain performed onstage with returning bandmates Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Phoenix and Joe Hahn during a livestreamed concert on Thursday to showcase the new lineup. The band played hits from its discography and debuted their new single The Emptiness Machine, off forthcoming album From Zero.
A globe-hopping arena tour has been announced to support the album release, slated for Nov. 15. The band will perform six shows in Los Angeles, New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul, and Bogota, all before the album drops publicly.
Critics and fans alike were impressed by Armstrong’s vocal chops during Thursday’s show, praising her ability to “recall Bennington without attempting parody,” as AP music reporter Maria Sherman put it.
Armstrong’s Instagram page has been flooded with comments from enthused Linkin Park fans, welcoming her to the band. The former Dead Sara lead singer will be a co-vocalist for Linkin Park alongside Shinoda.
But for some fans, the excitement quickly soured after allegations resurfaced that Armstrong supported That 70’s Show actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson during his trial.
The allegations stem from fellow musician, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, who claims that Armstrong intimidated Masterson’s victims during a preliminary hearing. Masterson is a high-profile member of the Church of Scientology and Bixler-Zavala claims Armstrong is also a prominent Scientologist.
“Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend,” wrote Bixler-Zavala last year in a comment on Dead Sara’s Instagram page.
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