LINKIN PARK is an alternative rock outfit from Los Angeles, California now consisting of lead guitarist Brad Delson, deejay Joe Hahn, bassist Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, their new drummer Colin Brittain, co-frontman/rhythm guitarist Mike Shinoda & their new frontwoman Emily Armstrong. Originally known as Xero & Hybrid Theory, the band used the latter name for their landmark debut after signing to Warner Records & the sophomore effort Meteora became a childhood essential for me in addition to inaugurating Machine Shop Recordings’ formation. The Rick Rubin trilogy Minutes to Midnight as well as 1,000 Suns & Living Things marked them shifting away from the nu metal sound they made a name for themselves with although The Hunting Party was an underappreciated return to their roots. 1 More Light went full electropop & was universally scoffed at as the band’s worst album, resulting in Chester Bennington tragically taking his life on my mom’s 45th birthday. 7 years later, Colin’s replacing Rob Bourdon & Emily from prior Dead Sara fame is replacing Chester for the band’s 8th LP.
After the titular intro, the first song “The Emptiness Machine” is an alt-rock opener with additional elements of alternative metal & post-hardcore with Mike & Emily singing about wanting to be a part of something whereas “Cut the Bridge” taps into the band’s rap rock origins sabotaging it all. “Heavy’s the Crown” fuses rap rock, nu metal & alt-rock explaining today’s lthe day you notice ‘cause they’re tired of explainin’ what the joke is just before “Over Each Other” comes off as this mediocre alt-pop rock crossover.
“Casualty” lets off some angst over some guitars & drumming calling to let them out & set them free since they know all the secrets you keep leading into “Overflow” embraces a pop rock vibe even further singing that they both know they’re outta control all dressed up for a riot. “2 Faced” gets back to LINKIN PARK’s nu metal origins talking about certain people’s rules being unfair & their truths being unrigid, but then pop rock-inspired “Stained” references the tragedy of Lady Macbeth during the hook.
The penultimate song “I.G.Y.E.I.H. (I Gave You Everything I Had)” pushes further towards the final moments of From 0 by singing about the fact that forgotten doesn’t mean that it’s forgiven this time while “Good Things Go” finishes by showcasing Emily & Mike’s vocal chemistry, assuring that only they can save one another from their respective lack of self control feelin’ like it’s been raining inside of their heads for the last 100 days.
“Up from the Bottom” starts the deluxe run with an alt-rock/rap rock crossover with a hint of pop punk finding a way to escape aside from the exception of Emily & Mike having nowhere to go while “Unshatter” swaps out the secondary pop punk influences from prior with hard rock, post-grunge & power pop talking about undoing the damage of a broken picture because they were trying to see themselves. The final bonus track “Let You Fade” represents the band’s continuous evolution finding balance between honoring their legacy in the midst of forging a bold & new path forward.
Being as skeptical as I was when Emily was announced to be replacing Chester since I grew up listening to LINKIN PARK & felt that it wouldn’t be the same without him, I nonetheless came away from From 0 a little indifferent towards it although I very much wish the band all the best in this new era of their’s. Mike’s production abandons the lifeless electropop from 2017 in favor of a melting pot consisting of alternative rock, alternative metal, rap rock, nu metal & pop rock whilst Emily’s performances compared to Mike’s are hit or miss.
Score: 3/5
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