PSA: I am not mentally unstable – at least not in the clinical term. I was just looking for a way to write about this past year and all the joy having Linkin Park back brought me in a different way than usual, because if you’ve been following, I’ve already said a lot about it. Thought that was a nice way.
It made me smile a lot to write this one, I hope you will too when reading it.
*phone rings in the distance*
Hey Chaz,
Long time no speak, my dude.
Sorry for the lack of earthly news, but we’ve been a busy bunch lately.
I know, I know, happens, and this past year has been a lot of just that.
So much happened man…
I was just thinking back about it all and realised that if there’s one person I want to share it all with, it’s definitely you, because I know no one will be happier about it.
Let me catch you up.
Yeah, grab a coffee, and I will too – It’s gonna take a minute.
It’s been one year today since your bros came back on stage, you know.
You probably heard about it.
Oh we screamed so loud, man, oh my god, the echo of our voices must have rippled all the way to heaven, seriously.
Oh yeah. That was us, alright and…
No but wait, you’ll never believe what they did first.
Who am I kidding of course you will.
They TRICKED us.
Man, they tricked us SO BAD with that stupid countdown going up.
Stop laughing, omg.
One hundred freaking hours. Twice.
STOP IT’S NOT FUNNY.
Ok maybe it is, or at least it will be, because if they gave us trauma with that thing, they’ve also done everything to make it worth every seconds.
How the launch show went?
Oh from our side it sure went the best way it could have.
It was unreal, dude. Like watching our wildest dreams come true and unravel in front of our eyes.
All the hopes, all the maybes, all the what ifs, all the delulu (so much delulu)
Of course you remember that bit.
And… And then. It’s all just there in Mikey’s voice :
“It’s good to see you again”.
Tss, stupid little nerd, he made me cry so bad with that line.
Eh, don’t aww, it wasn’t aww.
Fine, it was. At least a capital AW really.
I’m just saying shit, forgive me, it’s been a year and I’m still emotional thinking back about it.
For them? Good I’d say?
Gosh, they were so nervous, shaking down their damn baggy pants prob like never before I guess. Dave even had that gut thing he does.
Yeah, that’s the one.
It makes sense yeah.
For sure, everything was on the line.
But they did it, Chaz.
They didn’t just do it, they freaking nailed it.
They opened the Linkin Park book we all feared was forever closed and started writing a new chapter.
And just wait for it because I’m sure it’s gonna be your favourite story EVER.
Of course they brought new songs, dude, please. You know better.
They would never fall for the legacy act thing…
Bet. And you know what? I think it’s some of their best work too.
Oh yeah.
It has all the Linkin Park DNA in it, the whole damn heritage package – I swear there are lines I can almost hear you sing.
Of course Mike’s to blame again, you’re part of him that you want it or not man. Or that he wants it or not. Well, you get it. But it sounds SO FRESH.
I didn’t mean to yell. Sorry, but that’s been happening every few days now and will def happen again, so brace yourself.
It’s not a simple rehash of what was, they just took all the ingredients and turned it into something else. It sounds brand new and yet so them.
Man, don’t ask me how they did it, I’m just good at listening and word vomiting about it.
The album? From Zero.
Yeah, like.
I know, smarty pants.
But it’s a trick again. It’s from Zero starting at minus one thousand truly. A blank canvas with a thousand colors already ready to go. A new page in the encyclopedia of a lifetime. Th..
What? Let a girl be literate for a minute.
Yadayada, fair.
I know I use a thousand words to say the same thing, but you know what? A thousand words isn’t enough to truly express how good that damn thing is, so, eh, deal with it.
Anyway, they came back with that monumental piece of work, and the best thing is that naturally everything else came back. Like EVERYTHING.
The fun, the banter, the joy and all the silly memes in between – don’t worry, I’ll make you a compilation of those. I hope you’ve got a decent connection because there are loads, and you’re gonna piss your pants laughing. Even Adam came back, and you know that means trouble.
Of course it didn’t truly all went away in the first place, yeah, because the strongest soldiers never left, but a whole new crowd showed up too – old fans, new fans and the whole thing amplified like crazy. It’s been insane man.
I’m not sure I’ve had that much fun in, well, an awfully long time.
Felt like a rebirth, really, and a loud one.
On so many levels.
I think we all needed a hard reset seriously.
Eh, even the whiners came out of their caves.
Yes, yes those same ones as always. If they weren’t so annoying it would be almost funny I swear.
Nah don’t worry we’ve got that covered, and still quote your posts now and then to shut them up. The brighter the light, the more shadow it spurs – you know a thing or two about that.
Anyways, forget it because,then.
I’m trying to tell a story here mate, don’t make me use your own words.
Shh. I.
AND THEN.
They took it all over the world.
The album.
Of course not the haters ugh.
No but like everywhere. No one’s left out. And that’s something so rare these days it’s really worth saying.
Literally everywhere.
Their jetlag probably has jetlag by now.
I’m telling you.
All of the US, and they’re still at it, Europe, Asia, South America, they’re heading down under soon –
Funny Chester, very witty.
REALLY didn’t see that coming.
Anyways.
They’re gonna play India next year!
I KNOW.
I’m not joking when I say it’s been insane. I don’t know how they do it. Pocari sweat maybe.
Don’t ask, there’s a whole story about hemorrhoids. You don’t want to hear it.
Oh of course you do, but later. Cmon.
Seriously, they’re just working so hard to bring those live shows to everyone. It’s so heartwarming. But wait, there’s more.
Oh yeah, oh man, the things they’ve done in such a short time. You’re not ready.
They performed at the Leagues Worlds Final.
Dude, you have no idea – he was giddy like a 13yo fanboy, it was so funny.
They also played the UEFA Finals.
No no, the opening show..
Yeah like the superbowl but?
That’s a thing now.
Nah yeah, they couldn’t. Soccer? You were always their best player anyway.
Oh, bet Dave’s never gonna correct anyone about it.
Wembley.
They played fucking Wembley.
YES the one in LANDHAN.
I am NOT messing with you.
Of course it was sold out, as were all the biggest stadiums in Europe!
Oh and they went back to the Hellfest and all I’ll say is that revenge is a dish best served cold.
Hmm, hmm.
That much.
Not gonna lie, that felt good.
They’ve been all over. ALL OVER.
I know.
I love that so much man.
Everyone can be part of that thing they call something but truly is EVERYTHING.
Nah, go stream The Emptiness Machine after you hang up, you’ll get it.
Everyone just wants to be a part of it and is showing up.
The crowds are filled with people who never saw the band before, too.
Dunno, if i had to guess, some learnt to seize the opportunity before it’s too late, and maybe some got curious at the amount of number #1 everywhere.
Don’t ask, I’ve lost count, but it’s a ridiculous amount.
I think everyone is running out of walls to hang those shiny discs and no one in the band is going to need another book end ever again in their lives with those awards.
It’s impressive, for sure.
And I was telling you, there are so many new fans too, like SO MANY
Yes i’m yelling sorry, told you it would happen again
There are legit all the generations in the pit.
For real, all the freaking alphabet is there.
Kiddos, old farts, everything in between – hell, Santa even showed up.
Yes, yes and Optimus Prime and some shark?
Oh and LIDL got involved and toothpaste and…
Eh when I said a lot happened, I meant it.
It is nuts truly.
I know man.
I’m living it and I still can’t even believe it’s real.
Yeah I need a refill too, hang on.
You back?
Alright so I was –
Mike’s screaming?
Well, believe it or not, but he actually kinda is now? And good at it? But no, not all songs.
Fuck.
I can’t believe I’ve almost skipped the most important part.
NEW BLOOD BABY.
Yeah sorry forgot to mention it before because they fit so well it sometimes feels like they’ve been there all along, really.
Oh, they’re fucking incredible, you can’t even imagine.
Rob’s gone.
Dunno.
No words really, but we got Colin Brittain on the drums now – well, when he doesn’t get his hands on another instrument.
Dude is so absurdly talented at everything he does.
Fire producer too, can’t wait to see what the future brings, seriously.
Oh, definitely, he’s a real beast on that kit.
I think everyone has fallen in love with the way he plays the old songs, and the new beats are freaking amazing.
To be honest, I think most have just fallen in love period, but he makes it hard to resist posting thirst traps here and there all the time.
Nah, he’s got the best attitude, really, such a great bean and he is so good with fans over social media and on the ground.
You’d love that dude.
He’s like a curliest version of Mike.
I don’t know who’s more buff.
Maybe yeah.
Of course we’re gonna annoy him endlessly, don’t worry.
Brad? Oh Brad’s still there yeah, he just opted out from touring and honestly I’m happy with it, he’s taking care of himself and we love that.
We got one awesome touring guitarist too, Alex Feder.
He’s so much fun, such a sweetheart and fuck, that man can shred those riffs like no one else.
Wouldn’t have expected any less from Brad’s pick for real.
He’s an amazing musician and definitely a great fit for the band.
And he’s a COFFEE LOVER TOO.
I know it says it all.
Ah man, we absolutely love that dude.
As far as we’re concerned, he’s part of the band too.
You should see him with Dave on stage, these two are just full mischief at all times. So much fun to watch them play, I swear.
Oh def, every sense of the term.
Joe is documenting the whole thing yeah don’t worry.
So many pictures.
Dude, he wanders around so much I’m suspecting he’s trying to get his daily steps in during the set.
Of course he still rocks, are you kidding, that’s Mr Hahn.
Yeah he prob doesn’t realise how much we love him yet.
We should def get more signs.
He’s the coolest.… Maybe always has been eh.
You can’t kick my arse from up there dude, stop the empty threats.
Aye…
You’re getting restless aren’t you?
Blame the coffee.
Naha, of course I’m just stalling to annoy you.
There is a new singer.
Calm down or I’m not telling you.
Ok.
It’s…
Oh wait, tunnel.
Joking.
What? I can make shit jokes too.
Alright, okay, fine, CHILL.
Emily Armstrong.
DUDE
You just fucking ruptured my eardrum.
YES A WOMAN.
I KNOW.
STOP YELLING.
I CAN’T EITHER.
Oh fuck, I knew you’d loose your shit so bad about this.
Oh my god.
It IS the best.
And so is she.
She’s SO good man.
Like so talented.
So much fun.
The absolute best attitude.
So sweet.
Tall.
Blonde.
Gorgeous.
Ha.
And the representation she brings to so many?
That’s def a game changer too.
Yes it matters always.
She can’t take a compliment to save her life but she truly has it all. And I’m not even sure she realises it.
Pfft, are you kidding.
Legit would wake up at the break of dawn to brew her ceremonial matcha every morning, even before coffee, and you know my vitals can’t even function properly without caffeine.
We love her so much.
Yeah, sorry, got distracted.
Dude, don’t make fun of me cmon.
You would to.
But yeah, her voice sounds absolutely incredible. Most videos don’t even do it justice, everyone who attends the gigs just lose their mind at how good she sounds live.
She’s winning everyone over one gig at a time.
Some of those old songs just fit her voice so well, you’d be so impressed.
From The Inside would make you sob dude.
That good.
AND LOST OH MAN.
FOR REAL.
You’d be so proud.
Yeah she really hits those high notes so naturally, switch from grit to clear effortlessly, and the screaming is just…
Of course she screams duh.
Hmm… Well, 16 seconds on one of the new song.
Oh don’t get cocky, I’m like 99.9% sure she could do more, but she’s just cool like that to let you have that one.
And more importantly, she’s not trying to be you. She’s just herself.
And that’s why it works so well too. They’re not trying to fill a void, they’re just building a whole new family and giving those songs a second chance too.
Oh yeah they still do plenty.
They must have worked so hard dude.
You can totally see how better and more at ease they all got over the months.
Yeah she learned them all.
I know it’s a lot.
Sooo much work.
I think Points of Authority still breaks her brain a bit.
She’s trying okay, no shade for my girl. You had years, she had months.
I know, I know, you didn’t mean it like that.
But man. She’s also a fan.
And when she sings Waiting for the end.
There’s not a dry eye in the house. Not even hers.
See that’s what I was saying. She’s not just singing those songs like a freaking copycat, she’s living them, she’s feeling them and she has so much respect for them too.
A new life yeah, something like that.
Pretty dope I know.
You wanna know what’s funny though?
She still reminds me of you so much at times. She’s such a goofball.
Dude she could have been your lil sis. You prob share some ancestry as wild rabbits I swear to god.
She can’t stay still, just bouncing around and
Oh def, dance battles, man I would have loved to see that happen.
Fuck.
Yeah.
And you know man.
Mike.
Mike is okay with her.
They work great together, vocally and all, it just fits so well but it’s more than that.
The way he acts around her, and look at her and the laughs, god, so many laughs. You can see in his eyes is okay. He’s got a lil sis to take care of him now.
Yeah I know.
It’s one of my favourite part too.
Wanna know my number one favourite part though?
That they’re back.
That they’re back in the best way they ever could have been.
Mike keep saying in interviews that they all found each other over time. Like a series of happy coincidences or something.
Ugh, yeah he babbled about a math equation or something, didn’t understand shit.
Some things never change.
The only math i’m doing is the amount of joy it’s bringing.
It’s been a year, a mere second, but it also feels like forever.
Because it fits.
Because it works.
Just stars aligning or something.
And all I see is so much joy on that stage. So much smiles on their faces.
That light you taught us so well to look for all these years, Chester.
It’s right there.
Beaming from that stage every night.
And you’re still there too you know.
A look at the sky.
A finger up.
A silent mic to let us sing your part.
You’re always right there with us.
And that’s my favourite part.
The one where Linkin Park is back.
All that makes Linkin Park – past, present and future.
The one where we’re gonna be okay.
Fuck, coffee’s cold.
I could talk all night man.
There is so much more to tell.
But I don’t think that damn line as a fixed priced dude and I really need to save up to go see your people again next year.
Yeah no, you’re right, our people.
Promise, I’ll call back soon.
Pocari sweat remember?
…Yeah?
I know man.
I know you’re so proud.
We all are mate.
Take care.
