Linkin Park has announced they will no longer perform their song "One More Light" live, citing it as "too sad to play" following the death of their lead singer, Chester Bennington. The song is the title track of their last album with Bennington, who tragically died by suicide in 2017. The band feels the song stirs up too many painful memories.
In an interview with The Guardian, co-founder Mike Shinoda explained the song was originally written about a woman at their record label who had passed away. However, after Bennington's death, the public interpreted the song as being about him, making it too difficult for the band to perform. Shinoda said that performing the song would be emotionally overwhelming.
After Bennington's passing, Shinoda took a break from Linkin Park to work on his solo album, "Post Traumatic," as a way to cope with his grief. He described the project as a personal diary. Shinoda also wanted to reassure fans that he was still around. While touring initially provided some solace, Shinoda admitted it became exhausting to grapple with his own grief and that of the fans.
Shinoda explained that he felt like he was coping well with Bennington's death in his personal life but found it draining to spend 90 minutes at each show surrounded by a crying audience. He likened it to therapists needing therapy themselves after seeing patients all day.
Despite the emotional challenges, Linkin Park has made a comeback with a new lineup, including Emily Armstrong from Dead Sara as co-lead vocalist and Colin Brittain on drums. The band is currently on the "From Zero World Tour," promoting their new album of the same name. The tour started on January 31, 2025, in Mexico City and includes dates in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Some dates will feature special guests like Queens of the Stone Age and JPEGMAFIA.
The return of Linkin Park has been met with enthusiasm from many fans, although some have expressed concerns about the new lineup. Some fans felt that bringing the band back was offensive to Bennington's legacy, while others questioned Armstrong's past. Susan Eubanks, Bennington's mother, expressed feeling betrayed that the band didn't inform her of their plans.
Despite the controversy, Linkin Park is moving forward, honoring Bennington's legacy while creating new music. Their new music still incorporates elements of nu-metal, with rapping, scratching, screaming, and self-reflective lyrics, but it also comes from a place of healing and personal growth. The band's co-founder, Mike Shinoda, said that the tour and album have been one of their most successful.
