Revamped Rocking Reunion with Linkin Park
Rock icons Linkin Park resume their musical journey, infusing the summer air with electric riffs and heavy beats.
Hanover (dpa) - A deafening symphony of music fills the stadium, the intoxicating odor of beer, sweat, and the summer air engulfs the crowd. Waves of black band t-shirts sway in harmony, heads bob in unison, fists leap skyward. Linkin Park is back - and Hanover is rocking.
After an extended silence of six years, over 42,000 people rejoice in the comeback of the California rock titans. Aside from popular jams, tunes from their latest drop "From Zero," that rolled out last year following their extended hiatus, receives thunderous applause. The prolonged absence was a consequence of the tragic loss of frontman Chester Bennington, who tragically took his own life in 2017.
But in the autumn of 2024, the band dared to rise anew - surprising fans with fresh faces: Emily Armstrong as the vocal powerhouse and Colin Brittain on the drums. Since then, their revival has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, Zeal included in Hanover.
Some diehard followers staked their ground outside the stadium as early as Sunday afternoon, hoping to score front-row seats.
Pitching Tents Outside the Arena
"I never expected I'd have to camp out overnight outside a stadium at 32," said a woman hailing from near Cologne, who's been a fan of Linkin Park for two decades. She and three friends managed to book a nearby hotel and took turns guarding their place every four hours.
"It went much quicker than anticipated," one of them uttered. Their tickets cost approximately 180 euros each - a price they now deem fair. Adding an additional 160 euros for the two hotel rooms and fuel expenses, it was still considered a small fee for the chance to witness Linkin Park.
Iconic Sound
The band's iconic genre-bending style of intertwining metal, rock, rap, and electronics remains undiminished. One of the standout aspects is the mesmerizing interplay between powerful vocals and rapped sections.
Songs like "In the End" and "Numb" catapulted Linkin Park into one of the world's most successful bands - and Armstrong promises to uphold their legacy.
Her voice seamlessly transitions between crystal-clear high notes, brutal shouts, and powerful screams. It comes as no surprise that Linkin Park generates over 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Screaming Along as Therapy
For ardent fans, it's more than just music. A 32-year-old fan, who also had the fortune to see Linkin Park live in Paris, describes the concerts as a sort of therapeutic release. "You can really let out all your frustrations while singing along," she said. "Everyone sings along, everyone screams, the band gives out energy. It's simply exhilarating."
Bennington's untimely demise left a profound impact on her. But she finds solace in the band's return and embraces Armstrong as the new voice of the band: "They made the perfect decision there."
Additional German Concerts in the Works
The Hanover concert commenced this year's global tour. Berlin is scheduled for Wednesday, with Düsseldorf and Frankfurt slated for July.
Gigs in Hamburg and Munich have been arranged for the summer of 2026, and only a few days ago, an exciting announcement was made: Linkin Park will headline Rock am Ring in 2026.
- The woman from near Cologne, who's been a Linkin Park fan for two decades, eagerly shared, "I never expected I'd have to camp out overnight outside a stadium at 32," as she and her friends devoted their time to securing prime concert spots.
- The intense, genre-blending sound of metal, rock, rap, and electronics that Linkin Park is renowned for remains undiminished, with Emily Armstrong's seamless transitions between clear high notes, powerful shouts, and screams effectively upholding their legacy.
