Linkin Park’s comeback tour begins amid criticism of new singer Emily Armstrong: What to know about the controversy

Getting the band back together is no easy feat — as Linkin Park knows.

Linkin Park's comeback tour begins amid criticism of new singer Emily  Armstrong: What to know about the controversy

Seven years after the death of frontman Chester Bennington, the band announced on Sept. 5 that it was starting anew with singer Emily Armstrong sharing co-vocal duties with Mike Shinoda, among the changes. The new band held a live performance that day. An album and tour — beginning Sept. 11 in Inglewood, Calif. — were also announced.

While a mixed reaction had to have been anticipated — it’s no easy feat to replace a beloved lead singer whose suicide rocked the band’s fanbase and led to its hiatus — it’s been one thing after another since the announcement. Most notably, Armstrong was called out for her support of Danny Masterson during the actor’s rape trial, which she was forced to address, and Bennington’s son slammed the band for replacing his dad with Armstrong.

On the heels of the band revamp announcement — which also included news that a new drummer, Colin Brittain, would replace Rob Bourdon — Armstrong’s support of convicted rapist Masterson was almost immediately surfaced by Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was one of the women who accused Masterson of sexual assault.

Armstrong used Instagram to “clear the air” on Sept. 6.

Emily Armstrong de Linkin Park cuenta por qué no quería salir de su casa

“Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer,” she wrote, in part. “Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.”

Armstrong did not address Bixler-Zavala’s claims tying her to Scientology. Masterson’s victims alleged that the controversial organization covered up the actor’s crimes, which the church denied.

On Sept. 9, Jaime Bennington, one of Chester’s six children, slammed Linkin Park — and “senile and tone deaf” Shinoda specifically — for “not thoroughly vetting” Armstrong.

“You hired your friend of many years, Emily Armstrong, to replace Chester… knowing Emily’s history in the church and her history as an ally to Danny Masterson,” Jaime wrote on Instagram.

Chester Bennington's son accuses Linkin Park of 'erasing' dad's legacy -  National | Globalnews.ca