Two things can be true at the same time. Linkin Park is not the same without Chester Bennington, and Linkin Park is still great with Emily Armstrong.
I was honestly stunned at the amount of pushback there was when Linkin Park announced they were moving forward with a new singer. I understand people’s attachment to Chester. He was one of the most recognizable voices in rock music, and what he brought to Linkin Park can never be duplicated.
But Linkin Park was also a band, a lifestyle, a creative outlet and much more for a bunch of guys who had spent decades building something together. There was an entire organization around the band, not to mention a huge and well-loved music library that deserved to continue being played live.
I tend to look at these things as chapters in a band’s history.
Van Halen had multiple chapters featuring both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. I’ve frequently described the two versions as being like vanilla and chocolate ice cream. They’re different, but they’re both good. I just don’t see any reason why we can’t appreciate Chester Bennington’s era of Linkin Park while also enjoying what Emily Armstrong brings to the band today.
Linkin Park Tells Its Comeback Story In Unshatter
That brings us to Unshatter.
The new Linkin Park film tells the story of the band from the death of Chester Bennington through the long period of uncertainty that followed, eventually leading to the decision to move forward with Emily Armstrong and a new chapter of Linkin Park.
The whole thing culminates with concert footage from São Paulo, Brazil.
So, Unshatter isn’t exactly a concert movie. It’s apparently a documentary with a whole lot of concert in it.
In other words, just like Linkin Park’s breakthrough album, you might call it a “Hybrid Theory.”
Sorry. I had to.
Win Tickets To See Unshatter In Lubbock
We have your chance to see Linkin Park: Unshatter in theaters.
We’ll give 10 winners the opportunity to bring a guest and catch a screening at Cinemark Tinseltown in Lubbock when the film begins its theatrical run on September 30.
Entering is easy. Just enter below.
Then keep an eye on your email. We’ll notify the winners about a week before the screening.
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Whether you’re still carrying a torch for the Chester era, excited about the Emily Armstrong chapter, or somewhere in between, Unshatter looks like a fascinating look at how one of rock’s biggest bands figured out how to move forward without pretending the past never happened.
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Gallery Credit: Nessmania