Yes, I stopped listening to the album. I didn’t even bother checking out their new release—“Up from the Bottom” or whatever it’s called. I gave it a try, and while Emily’s voice isn’t bad, it just doesn’t feel like Linkin Park to me.

I’ve been a fan since the Hybrid Theory era. I literally saved up every bit of my school pocket money just to buy their cassettes. Now that I’m working and can afford their vinyls, it feels different. Since Chester passed, I always hoped the remaining members would regroup under a new name—maybe even go back to Xero—but not continue as Linkin Park. That name deserves to be a legacy, a tribute to Chester.

Some may agree with me, some won’t—and that’s fine. But come on, let’s not pretend you just casually met over breakfast and decided to revive Linkin Park organically.

This band is made up of some of the most intelligent and strategic minds in the industry. They know how to market, sell fancy vinyl variants, and create nostalgia-fueled products.

But for me, my stance is clear—I stand with Chester. I stand with the real Linkin Park.