Linkin Park is back – and there’s a new lead singer in town.

The legendary rock band announced their return to music during a livestream via YouTube on Thursday, September 5, seven years after the frontman’s death Chester BenningtonThe group is back with two new members, a new album and a world tour.

The late singer Sara Emily Armstrong joined the group as co-lead singer, while Colin Brittain joins the band as drummer, replacing founding member Rob BourdonThe musicians join the original members Michael Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn And Dave Farrell.

On Friday, September 6, the band released their first new recording since Bennington’s death, “The Emptiness Machine.” The song is the first single from Linkin Park’s upcoming seventh studio album. From zerowhich will be released on November 15th.

Before the new album, the band is facing its From the Zero World Tourwhich begins on Wednesday, September 11th at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. They will also perform in New York City, Hamburg, London, Seoul and Bogota, Colombia.

During Thursday’s livestream, Armstrong joined the group for a live performance of Linkin Park’s new song and also provided vocals on the band’s classic hits, including “Crawling,” “Numb” and “In the End.”

The band’s reunion comes seven years after Bennington’s suicide in July 2017. He was 41.

“Our hearts are broken,” the bereaved said in a statement on Facebook at the time. “The shockwaves of grief and denial continue to wash over our family as we try to process what happened. You touched so many lives, perhaps even more than you realized. In the last few days we have experienced an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son and father; the family will never be complete without you.”

Related: Music festivals 2024: Bonnaroo, Endless Sunsets and more

The new year is still young, but the calendar is already packed with music festivals showcasing artists of all genres – and attracting the biggest celebs. Festival season is usually marked by surprising collaborations, big fashion moments and controversies, and 2024 will likely be no different. From Boston to LA, dozens of different events are taking place (…)

“When I spoke to you about the years ahead together, your enthusiasm was infectious. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled – a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice missing from the room,” the band continued. “We try to remember that the demons that took you from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You put them on display fearlessly and in doing so brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart and you wore it on your sleeve.”

The statement ended with the words: “Our love for music and performing is indelible. While we do not know what path our future will take, we know that you have enriched the lives of each and every one of us. Thank you for this gift. We love you and miss you so much.”