September 11, 2024 - Los Angeles, CA: From Zero World Tour

Finally watching the full show. WTCFM + RTN had some proper attitude, loved seeing Colin switch from guitar to drums like it's nothing. And Emily is exceeding my expectations on a lot of songs. She definitely can handle heavy stuff, but her softer vocals are great too, there is some natural inflection and cracking in her voice that convey a lot of emotions. She sounded fantastic on My December and Friendlly Fire, for example.

In fact, both Emily and Collin seem to be immensely talented musicians. Yes, for now, the nostalgia factor is still there, and it is still a bit confusing at times to see those old songs reinterpreted. I suspect it will be the case for some time. And of course, I wil always miss Chester - that goes without saying.

But I can't help but feel there is tons of potential that can be unlocked from this current line-up. Crossing fingers the band stabilizes as it is and that we are in for a new long-lasting era of Linkin Park. Because this simply rocks.

 

I figure we'll stop seeing some of these old classics once the album comes out as it'll switch to Emily's strengths, which is the new songs.

Oh man, the harmonization on LOATR was so good. Their vocals compliment each other really well.
Weird seeing Mike do the verses for POA. But it works with Emily doing the loud bits.

Very interesting to see songs switched up in new ways like this.

 

I liked her versions of the softer songs way more, LOATR, COG, Friendly Fire were amazing. She still somehow tries to imitate Chester in many of the heavier ones. Still it was probably the best decision for the new vocalist.

 

I never really enjoyed New Divide live before. I feel like it strained Chester's vocals too much, but I was getting full chills hearing Emily's performance.

 

Can anyone explain to me why some of these songs, like Lost in the Echo, sound vastly different? I would understand the drums and some of the vocal tone, but some songs just sound like a cover to me.

Not that they're bad, it's kind of refreshing. Just wondering.

 

Yeah wait what, that synth sounds really different, it sounds loke more than just a tone change to me I think? Def agree with you tho, it sounds pretty refreshing, it’s an interesting version of the song

 

Yeah, Lost In The Echo is definitely pitched up. Most likely to fit her range better.
They probably tried different variations and pitches and this is probably what sounded the best. They wouldn't change it if it sounded good.

If Chester had to sing "The Emptiness Machine", it'd be pitched lower cause right now(as the song is) it would've been to high for his range.

Good thing to note - Its also not necessarily about her not being able to sing it. Its probably more to do with what sounds sonically better overall as a performance.

 

After peeking at some of the different tracks they tried this time around, I feel a kind of sobering effect on my impression. I really want them to choose more carefully around what her strengths are, but that’s just me.

“Given Up” especially had this feeling. They could never play that one live again and I’d be fine with that. She can bring her own to, arguably, most of their tracks but “Given Up” isn’t one I really want to hear her true-to-the-source performance of. Not without some creativity. The band may be very 1-1 chemistry based and it’s all their music, but Chester left an absolute chasm on this song. Even if they just handed him the sheet music, he walked out the booth owning it.

That said, I still believe she could make massive strides toward changing my mind and their creativity can always meet her partway somehow. But it didn’t at all that show. Not for me. Feels like they’re trying to show off being back with that risky choice, not being reinvented, and it left me feeling weird.

 

Personally I do disagree with you!
I think regardless of what Chester embedded in our heads - Given Up was a fun and amazing choice in my opinion.
I do understand the repel against it - I, however, am not so affected by this. We all know Chester made the song his, and I doubt anyone could ever deny that. Emily sings it great and it feels like a nice touch.

In any case, i still wish some other songs will be played in other sets hopefully.
Gotta give me the No Roads Left Emily Version

 

I want to emphasize that I have full faith that they could do something with it and she could get even better at it. I believe they can create a rendition that’s more exciting coming from her specifically, something in character for a new era. And her singing was great.

Tweaked my post to reflect that adjustment.

I guess what I’m trying to say is if they retired some songs like Given Up while the new line-up ages, it could be even more badass when they break it out reimagined. They’re going to continue to having fun doing exactly that, right?

On that note, I get that it wasn’t anything but fun. To call it cutting her teeth unnecessarily is probably taking it to a place they don’t intend.

 

I honestly think the most surprising and emotionally resonant part of the night for me (Outside of "Keys") was Mike taking the lead on Leave Out All The Rest. There's such a legacy to that, what with him doing the original vocals on the demo track at a time where he couldn't have pulled it off, to showcase what he wanted for Chester, and now, being in a position where he can grow into those shoes left behind and really just sell it, in a live setting no less...

 

Also the drums on Faint and Papercut are played differently, and not for the better imo... but Colin is a great drummer and seems like a chill dude.

 

As I drummer that has learned/knows a lot of LP songs note by note, I can say that there are very few songs where Colin is playing them as they were recorded. I'd say most people won't notice or care lol but there were times where it definitely bothered me haha, especially Keys to the Kingdom. On Faint and Papercut, the way he does the ghost notes and accents on the snare is different than Rob's approach. Colin's approach is a little more straightforward "rock" drumming. Also, not sure why he doesn't have a china cymbal on his set up. Rob didn't use it that much but every time time he did (end of OSC, breakdown of Faint) it really adds some punch. Anyway, Colin is still a pretty solid drummer and I'm looking forward to hear what he did with the new songs.

 

Rob always was more restrained about how or when he let loose on the drums. The times he did were usually for the extended intros/outros. He always kept it clean during the songs itself.
I loved his drums. Its why I was VERY sad that he wasn't coming back.

Colin is more "free" throughout a lot of the songs. Like with his drumming in Papercut.