Author: fgt

Sammy Hagar says he doesn’t want to tour anymore. The Red Rocker, who played 31 shows on his Best of All Worlds Tour last year in North America and Japan, broke the news prior to an opening night performance at Caspian’s Cocktails & Caviar, a 100-capacity venue at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

“I don’t think I want to go on tour anymore,” Hagar tells the Las Vegas Journal-Review. “I hate to say that, because I don’t want to piss my fans off. I’ll go out and do a one-off show and do things like that, but the residency is going to give me a good extension of my career. That’s what I’m hoping for.

“With this, I don’t have to travel, I don’t have to unpack and pack and get on an airplane every day. You know, at my age, it hurts my shoulders to do all this. And I have to perform. I’m a performer, at the end of the day.

“I keep telling my manager, ‘Don’t take any tours, let me do this residency.’ If I like it enough, I’ll do another one. And if that’s successful I’ll do another one, and I can squeeze a few more years out of my career.”

Hagar’s Best Of All Worlds residency – in which he plays solo career highlights alongside songs by Montrose, Van Halen and Chickenfoot – will kick off on April 30 at Dolby Live at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, and continue into May. Tickets are on sale now.

Hagar’s band for the shows includes Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff. Aronoff was brought into the band last year as a replacement for Jason Bonham, who left the tour to take care of his mother after she suffered a stroke.

The list of names playing the upcoming FireAid shows at the Intuit Dome Kia Forum – both in Inglewood, CA – has been announced. The shows will raise money to support those affected by the wildfires currently raging in Southern California and raise funds to support efforts to prevent future disasters.

The initial announcement confirms that Billie Eilish and Finneas, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Jelly Roll, Joni Mitchell, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rod Stewart, Sting, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, Tate McRae will all play, while Dave Matthews and John Mayer will perform together for the first time. More names will be announced.

Both shows will take place on January 30, with tickets going on sale via Ticketmaster at noon local time on January 22.

The shows will be broadcast across multiple platforms including Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, iHeartRadio and at select cinemas locations in the US.

The fires, which have been raging across Los Angeles since January 7, have already claimed 27 lives and led to the evacuation of more than 180,000 people. More than 12,300 structures have been destroyed and the cost of damage is currently estimated at $250-275 billion.

The winds stoking the fires have died down, helping firefighters to bring almost 40,000 acres of ongoing wildfires under control, but dangerous conditions are expected to return next week.

Make a donation to FireAid.

Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Sting, Joni Mitchell and Stephen Stills are among the first wave of artists confirmed for the Jan. 30 FireAid benefit concert, which will benefit victims of the massive wildfires in Los Angeles.

Sting, Green Day, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Earth, Wind & Fire will also appear at the Jan. 30 shows, which will take place at two different Los Angeles-area venues, the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum.

Billie Eilish and Finneas, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Gracie Abrams, Gwen Stefani, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Pink and Tate McRae will also appear.

Additional artists, special guests, and the lineups for each venue will be announced in the coming days. Tickets for both venues will go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 22 through Ticketmaster.

The shows, which will begin at 6 p.m. PST, will also be streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, exclusively on “LIFE with John Mayer,” Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

Read More: Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith Loses Home to L.A. Fires

As of Wednesday the L.A. wildflowers, which first erupted on Jan. 7, have burned over 40,000 aces of land, destroyed at least an estimated 12,000 structures and resulted in 25 known deaths.

This March, Bullet for My Valentine and Trivium will embark on their 2025 co-headlining “The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour,” featuring special guests August Burns Red across all dates, Sylosis, and Bleed From Within on select dates – see routing below.

The tour is in celebration of both bands prolific albums – Bullet for My Valentine’s The Poison and Trivium’s Ascendancy, which turn 20 years old in 2025. Each will be performed in their entirety on this tour.

“We are super excited to announce we are coming back to the USA in 2025 with our friends Trivium, to bring you the ‘Poisoned Ascendancy Tour,'” says Bullet For My Valentine. “We’re going to be celebrating 20 years of our debut album The Poison and Trivium’s Ascendancy. It’s the metal tour of 2025, so don’t miss out.”

“This is a celebration for the old fans that were there at 9am at Ozzfest to catch a couple songs from a band in Iron Maiden shirts,” says Trivium. “It’s for the new fans that have been listening to the deep cuts but never caught them on a recent tour. And lastly, it’s for both BFMV and us to take a moment to reflect on how amazing these 20 years have been, how fast they’ve gone, and how important these albums are for the both of our bands. Having August Burns Red, Bleed From Within, and Sylosis joining us only makes this more special. We can’’t wait to play Ascendancy for you!”

In the new video below, both bands sit down at Trivium HQ to discuss their history together and the upcoming tour:

Produced by Live Nation, the 26-city tour kicks off on March 30 at PNE Forum in Vancouver, BC making stops across North America in Las Vegas, Chicago, New York and more before wrapping up in Raleigh, NC at Red Hat Amphitheater on May 18.

Limited VIP packages are available from both artists including a meet + greet. For more info on VIP packages, head here.

Tour dates:

March
30 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum#&

April
1 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre#&
3 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic#&
4 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento – Hard Rock Live#&
5 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort*#&
8 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium#&
10 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort#&
11 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theatre#
12 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre#&
15 – Dallas, TX – Gilley’s – South Side Ballroom#&
16 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port#&
17 – Houston, TX –  Bayou Music Center#&
19 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory#^
20 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha#^
22 – Ashwaubenon, WI – EPIC Event Center*#^
23 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe#^
25 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel- Showroom*#
26 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom#^
27 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit#^
29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE*#^
30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia#^

May
2 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway#^
3 – Laval, QC – Place Bell#^
4 – Toronto, ON – Great Canadian Resort Theatre#^
6 – Washington, D.C. – The Anthem#^
7 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17#^
9 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Bethlehem – Wind Creek Event Center#^
11 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle*#^
13 – Corbin, KY – Corbin Arena*#^
14 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre#^
17 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre#^
18 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater#^

* Not A Live Nation Date
# August Burns Red
& Sylosis
^ Bleed From Within

Polish death metal outfit Embrional (feat. members of Azarath) unveils details of new studio album, Inherited Tendencies For Self-Destruction, due out March 21 on Agonia Records.

Listen to the album’s first single, “The World Deserves Self-Destruction”, below. Stream the song on platforms here.

Embrional’s fourth full-length marks a new chapter for the Gliwice-based four-piece. The compositions take on a redefined approach, from writing, recording, through self-production by vocalist Skullripper of Azarath fame. The drums and guitars  give off a natural and spacious sounding, having been tracked at the atmospheric Piekło Niebo Studio in cooperation with Ataman Tolovy.

Combined with crisp growls, hounding bass & tremolo arm-prone guitar solos – registered at Panzer Studios – the sonic arrangement turns out suffocating and dark, layered with punishing outbursts not impervious to more climatic moments along the album’s near 40 minute run. Production-wise, the longplay has been diversified by throwing in technical flavors and a balanced amount of samples, which smartly add up to its heaviness.

Haldor Grunberg took care of mixing and mastering at Satanic Audio (Behemoth, Azarath, Pestilence). Maciej Kamuda painted the cover artwork and Maciej Mutwil portrayed the band in photography.

“We are very pleased with the album” comments the band. “Our sound signature matured and stands out from our earlier offerings. In conscious avail of our past experience, the compositions and production undergone a deliberate treatment, unheard in Embrional’s music before.”

Available formats:

CD/LP/MC/Digital

Pre-orders to be announced soon. Pre-save here.

Tracklisting:

“Choirs Of Apocalypse” (intro)
“The World Deserves Self-Destruction”
“Inspiration To Slay”
“Seduced By The Lies”
“Lies Of God”
“The Shrine Of Collapse”
“Suicide Journey”
“Purified By Death”
“Sadistic Desire”
“Extinction” (outro)
“Obliteration Rites”

“The World Deserves Self-Destruction”:

Lineup:

Skullripper – vocals, guitars
Darek Młody – drums
Marek – guitars
Armagog – bass

(Photo – Maciej Mutwil)

Jerry Cantrell’s recently released solo album, I Want Blood, is being reimagined as a spoken-word series, with new versions of the album tracks debuting every Thursday, and featuring video animations by Boy Tillekens.

Watch “Let It Lie” (Spoken Word), with music by Roy Mayorga, below:

In a recent episode of the Lipps Service podcast, Cantrell shared how the spoken-word pieces came to be: “I wanted to do something special, try to do something cool, and I’ve never done a spoken word recitation of the lyrics, and I thought it might be kind of cool to have it on the B-side of ‘Vilified.’ I recorded it, and it sounded cool. I thought maybe it needs some music or something, and I was sitting there with Maxwell Urasky, my demo partner. He’s a really talented musician, and he said ‘Let me mess around with it for a night.’ He came back the next day with that piece of music, and it sounded killer. I brought it in to Joe Barresi and he said, ‘Man, you should do this with all of them.’

“So I sent it out to my friends, and they hadn’t heard the songs, which I thought was really cool. I got this creative stew going of sending the lyrics out to people, having them come up with the music, and sending it back. We ended up with nine pieces of really interesting takes on the lyrics, but the music is done by creative partners of mine, and it has nothing to do with the real music, so it is truly a standalone piece.”

Additional collaborators on the project include Barresi, Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, The Black Queen), Roy Mayorga (Ministry), Gil Sharone (Stolen Babies, Team Sleep), Rani Sharone (Stolen Babies), George Adrian (The Maybirds), composer Vincent Jones, and producer Michael Rozon.

Watch more videos from the series below:

I Want Blood, co-produced by Cantrell and Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, Melvins), was recorded at Barresi’s JHOC Studio in Pasadena, Calif. The album also features contributions from bass heavyweights Duff McKagan (Guns N’Roses) and Robert Trujillo (Metallica), drummers Gil Sharone (Team Sleep, Stolen Babies) and Mike Bordin (Faith No More), and backing vocals from Lola Colette and Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, ex-Dillinger Escape Plan).

Album orders, which include CD, digital and multiple 2LP variants are available here.

I Want Blood tracklisting:

“Vilified”
“Off The Rails”
“Afterglow”
“I Want Blood”
“Echoes Of Laughter”
“Throw Me A Line”
“Let It Lie”
“Held Your Tongue”
“It Comes”

“Vilified” visualizer:

“Off The Rails” visualizer:

“Afterglow” video:

“I Want Blood” visualizer:

“Echoes Of Laughter” visualizer:

“Throw Me A Line” visualizer:

“Let It Lie” visualizer:

“Held Your Tongue” visualizer:

“It Comes” visualizer:

As mentioned above, Cantrell has announced a North American tour in support of I Want Blood. The trek kicks off on January 31 in Niagara Falls and makes its way across the country, concluding in Cantrell’s home state of Washington. For ticket information, visit jerrycantrell.com/tour. Filter supports on all dates.

North American tour dates:

January
31 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Resort

February
1 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
2 – Portland, ME – Aura
4 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues Boston
5 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
7 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore – Silver Spring
8 – Bensalem, PA – Parx Xcite Center
11 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
12 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
14 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
15 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
16 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
18 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
19 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
22 – St. Louis, MO – The Hawthorn
23 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre
25 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
26 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston
27 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre

March
1 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater
2 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues Las Vegas
4 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
5 – Ventura, CA – The Majestic Ventura Theater
7 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory – Spokane
8 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
9 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre

Jerry Cantrell is an iconic American troubadour, celebrated for his distinctive guitar playing, soulful vocals and profound songwriting. Known for his work in both Alice In Chains and as a solo artist, the Grammy-nominated musician has sold in excess of 30 million albums, has been named one of the greatest guitar players of all time by both Guitar World and Rolling Stone, and has been instrumental in shaping the sound of modern rock music. Over his career, he has released six studio albums with Alice In Chains, three solo full-lengths, has had his music featured in films from Cameron Crowe, Judd Apatow and Ben Stiller and made cameos in “Deadwood” and “Jerry Maguire.”

David Lee Roth has released another is his series of “Imaginary Pot Labels” visualizers.

The new clip is sountracked with a portion of Roth’s bluegrass version of “Ice Cream Man”, which originally appeared on Strummin’ With The Devil, a collection of Roth and Van Halen songs done in bluegrass style released back in 2006.

Rhino has announced the release of the new David Lee Roth box set, The Warner Recordings (1985-1994), available on CD, limited edition vinyl, and digital on February 21. Pre-order/pre-save here.

The Warner Recordings (1985-1994) features the first five solo releases recorded by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and original Van Halen lead vocalist in one comprehensive collection for the very first time. Spanning one of the greatest runs in rock ‘n’ roll history, the set offers lifelong fans and newcomers alike the chance to experience Crazy From The Heat [1985], Eat ‘Em And Smile [1986], Skyscraper [1988], A Little Ain’t Enough [1991], and Your Filthy Little Mouth [1994] in succession.

40 years ago this month, on January 28, 1985, Roth officially debuted as a solo artist with the Crazy From The Heat EP. It crashed the Top 15 of the Billboard 200 and reached RIAA Platinum status. Plus, he logged a pair of Billboard Hot 100 hits – the medley of “Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody” vaulted to #12, while his take on “California Girls” by The Beach Boys soared to #3, replicating the 1965 chart success of the original. Meanwhile, Crazy From The Heat would later serve as the title of his New York Times best-selling autobiography in 1997.

The EP paved the way for his first full-length solo LP,  Eat ‘Em And Smile. Released on July 7, 1986, it bowed in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 and eventually went RIAA Platinum. Roth hyper-charged his sound, accompanied by an all-star band consisting of Billy Sheehan [bass], Gregg Bissonette [drums], and Steve Vai [guitar]. Together, they served up anthems such as “Yankee Rose,” “Tobacco Road,” “That’s Life,” and more.

1987 saw the platinum Skyscraper return Roth to the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, elevated by “Just Like Paradise.” Meanwhile, Roth kicked off the nineties with the gold-selling A Little Ain’t Enough in 1991. It marked his fourth straight Top 20 debut on the Billboard 200 and boasted fretwork from Jason Becker. Finally, he dropped Your Filthy Little Mouth in 1994, this time collaborating with none other than iconic producer Nile Rodgers [Madonna, David Bowie], churning out staples such as “She’s My Machine.”

Vinyl tracklisting:

Crazy From The Heat:

A1. “Easy Street”
A2. “Just A Gigolo”https://bravewords.com/”I Ain’t Got Nobody”

B1. “California Girls”
B2. “Coconut Grove”

Eat ‘Em And Smile:

A1. “Yankee Rose”
A2. “Shyboy”
A3. “I’m Easy”
A4. “Ladies’ Nite in Buffalo?”
A5. “Goin’ Crazy!”

B1. “Tobacco Road”
B2. “Elephant Gun”
B3. “Big Trouble”
B4. “Bump and Grind”
B5. “That’s Life”

Skyscraper:

A1. “Knucklebones”
A2. “Just Like Paradise”
A3. “The Bottom Line”
A4. “Skyscraper”
A5. “Damn Good”

B1. “Hot Dog and a Shake”
B2. “Stand Up”
B3. “Hina”
B4. “Perfect Timing”
B5. “Two Fools A Minute”

A Little Ain’t Enough:

A1. “A Lil’ Ain’t Enough”
A2. “Shoot It”
A3. “Lady Luck”
A4. “Hammerhead Shark”
A5. “Tell The Truth”
A6. “Baby’s On Fire”

B1. “40 Below”
B2. “Sensible Shoes”
B3. “Last Call”
B4. “The Dogtown Shuffle”
B5. “It’s Showtime!”
B6. “Drop in the Bucket”

Your Filthy Little Mouth:

A1. “She’s My Machine”
A2. “Everybody’s Got The Monkey”
A3. “Big Train”
A4. “Experience”
A5. “A Little Luck”
A6. “Cheatin’ Heart Café”
A7.  “Hey, You Never Know”

B1. “No Big ‘Ting”
B2. “You’re Breathin’ It”
B3. “Your Filthy Little Mouth”
B4. “Land’s End”
B5. “Night Life”
B6. “Sunburn”
B7. “You’re Breathin’ It” (Urban NYC Mix)

In the video below, Judas Priest bassist, Ian Hill, joins Matt Pinfield for the new episode of New & Approved.

Hill and Pinfield discuss Judas Priest’s latest album Invincible Shield, the band’s upcoming tour, Priest’s first American tour and other stories from the early days, his greatest inspirations, and much more.

Asked to talk about bassists and bands that influenced him, and the first live show he attended, Hill reveals, “Back then you had huge artists, you had Pink Floyd, you had Cream, you had all of these immense artists. And they’d all come through and play your local town hall, that was the scene in Britain at the time, you know, there wasn’t great auditoriums, there were town halls, and cinemas maybe, things like that, and theaters. I was always into music, obviously through my Dad, I was brought up listening to music all the time.”

Hill adds, “The first live show I think I went to, there was a great club called Mother’s in the Birmingham area, and I think it might have been John Mayall’s Blues Breakers. It wasn’t with Eric Clapton, ’cause he’d already left, he’d gone on. I think it was with Mick Taylor… no it wasn’t, it was Peter Green. I was only young, I probably shouldn’t have been there. I think that was the first show. When Greeny left, obviously he formed the first Fleetwood Mac, and I became a big fan of those. I was a big Cream fan, a massive Cream fan, and one of my biggest regrets is I never got to see them live. I got to see all three of them individually.”

Check out the full interview below:

Earlier this month, Judas Priest shared a visualizer for “Clarionissa”, the intro for their Invincvible Shield tour. Check it out below.

Current Judas Priest 2025 European tour dates are listed below. Check judaspriest.com for the band’s complete tour itinerary and ticket links.

June
14 – Hamar, Norway – Tjuvholmen Kro
17 – Stuttgart, Germany – Schleyerhalle
18 – Frankfurt Am Main, Germany – Hessentag Festival

July
1 – Ferrara, Italy – Ferrara Summer Festival
3 – Zürich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
7 – Łódź, Poland – Atlas Arena
10 – Rättvik, Sweden – Dalhalla
13 – München, Germany – Olympiahalle
15 – Carcassonne, France – Festival de Carcassonne
17 – Sion, Switzerland – Sion Sous Les Étoiles
19 – Esch-sur-alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
20 – Oberhausen, Germany – Rudolf Weber-Arena
23 – Scarborough, England – Scarborough Open Air Theatre
25 – London, England – The O2

David Lynch, the maverick, unconventional filmmaker who made classics such as Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, has died. He was 78.

The news was shared on Lynch’s Facebook page on Thursday. “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” it noted. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’

“It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

READ MORE: The Best Horror Movie From Every Year 1920-2022

Lynch had said last year that he had been diagnosed with emphysema and would not be able to leave the house to direct anymore. The filmmaker was a longtime smoker, which was confirmed on film in the 2106 documentary David Lynch: The Art Life, in which a cigarette was consistently present throughout its 90-minute running time.

In addition to his screen work, Lynch had also recorded several music albums. The latest, Cellophane Memories, was a collaboration effort with Twin Peaks‘ Chrystabell that came out in 2024.

He also directed music videos for Chris Isaak, Nine Inch Nails and others. His movies have included acting roles for major music stars such as Sting and David Bowie.

What Movies Did David Lynch Direct?

Lynch’s breakthrough feature film arrived in 1977 with Eraserhead, a black-and-white experimental work about a misformed child and the man charged with caring for them. That acclaimed work led to Lynch being given the film adaptation of The Elephant Man in 1980, which netted eight Academy Award nominations.

His 1984 big-budget adaptation of Dune was one of the few missteps in his career. Two years later he rebounded with Blue Velvet, his masterpiece of a sadistic kidnapper and the young man who gets caught in a small-town mystery.

Lynch further explored small-town drama in the groundbreaking 1990 TV series Twin Peaks, a critical and commercial hit that aired for two seasons. In 1992 he expanded the universe with the feature film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and revived the series in 2017 for Twin Peaks: The Return, one of the ’10s’ most acclaimed TV shows.

Throughout his career, Lynch made some of the past half-century’s most challenging and greatest work, including 2001’s Mulholland Drive and 2006’s Inland Empire, his last big-screen feature. He also helmed many short films over the decades.

He was nominated for four Oscars, three of them for his work as a director. In 2020, he was given the Academy’s Honorary Award for his lifetime of work. His dark, surrealistic films were awarded at major festivals across the globe, from Cannes to Venice, as well as favorites on the midnight-movie cult circuit.

Linkin Park is a prominent American rock band that was formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The band initially consisted of three high school friends: Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon. They were later joined by other members, including vocalist Chester Bennington in 1999, which became the lineup that garnered widespread fame. Linkin Park’s unique blend of alternative rock, nu-metal, hip-hop, and electronic elements set them apart from other bands of their era. Their 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory became one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century, and their subsequent albums, such as Meteora (2003), Minutes to Midnight (2007), and A Thousand Suns (2010), saw continued success, solidifying their place in modern rock history.

The band’s music often focused on themes of internal conflict, personal trauma, and social issues, resonating deeply with a generation of listeners. Linkin Park’s ability to blend genres and emotional vulnerability helped them stand out and attract a wide fanbase. They won numerous awards, including Grammy Awards, and were influential in bringing alternative rock and nu-metal into the mainstream. Despite a break in 2017 following Chester Bennington’s tragic death, the band reunited in 2023, maintaining their legacy while introducing new talent and continuing their creative output.

Below is a detailed look at the current and former members of Linkin Park, their contributions to the band, and their careers outside of it.

Mike Shinoda

Mike Shinoda is the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist for Linkin Park. He was a founding member in 1996 and played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s sound, combining elements of rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. His rapping style became integral to the band’s early work, particularly on Hybrid Theory (2000), where his raps were complemented by Chester Bennington’s emotive singing. Shinoda’s songwriting and production skills helped define the band’s sound, and he co-produced most of Linkin Park’s albums, including Meteora (2003) and Minutes to Midnight (2007).

Shinoda is also known for his solo project, Fort Minor, which allowed him to explore his hip-hop roots. The project’s album, The Rising Tied (2005), featured a mix of rap and rock, with Shinoda’s production standing out. Following Chester Bennington’s death in 2017, Shinoda released Post Traumatic (2018), a solo album reflecting on grief and healing. In 2023, Shinoda rejoined Linkin Park for their reunion performances, marking the continuation of his legacy with the band.

Brad Delson

Brad Delson is the lead guitarist and one of the founding members of Linkin Park. He was pivotal in crafting the band’s signature sound, characterized by intricate guitar work blended with electronic elements. Delson played a key role in shaping the band’s early albums, including Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteora (2003). His guitar playing evolved as the band’s sound matured, incorporating more melodic and progressive elements in albums like Minutes to Midnight (2007) and A Thousand Suns (2010). Additionally, Delson was involved in production and contributed to the band’s creative direction alongside Shinoda.

Outside of Linkin Park, Delson has worked as a producer and has occasionally collaborated with other musicians. He has maintained a relatively low-profile solo career but remains a key figure in Linkin Park’s legacy. Delson rejoined the band for their 2023 reunion after a period of hiatus, where he returned to playing live shows.

Joe Hahn

Joe Hahn, also known as Mr. Hahn, is the turntablist, synthesizer player, and programmer for Linkin Park. He was a founding member of the band in 1996 and became known for his contributions to the band’s experimental sound, fusing turntablism, samples, and electronic textures with the band’s rock foundation. Hahn played an essential role in shaping the unique sound of Hybrid Theory (2000) and subsequent albums, including Meteora (2003), Minutes to Midnight (2007), and A Thousand Suns (2010). His skills in programming and sampling helped expand the band’s sonic possibilities, adding layers of depth to their music.

Outside of Linkin Park, Hahn has directed several of the band’s music videos and contributed to other artistic projects. In 2023, he returned to Linkin Park for their reunion performances, continuing to play a key role in the band’s live shows and creative efforts.

Dave “Phoenix” Farrell

Dave Farrell, known as Phoenix, is the bassist for Linkin Park. He joined the band in 1996, shortly after its formation, and played a vital role in shaping the rhythm section of the band’s sound. Farrell’s bass lines provided a solid foundation for the band’s music, and his contributions are especially noticeable on albums like Hybrid Theory (2000), Meteora (2003), and Minutes to Midnight (2007). Farrell also provided backing vocals on several tracks and played a part in the band’s overall vocal arrangements, contributing to Linkin Park’s harmonized sound.

Outside of his work with Linkin Park, Farrell has remained primarily focused on the band, though he has participated in various side projects. In 2023, Farrell returned to Linkin Park for the reunion performances, rejoining his bandmates in honoring the band’s legacy and continuing to create music with them.

Chester Bennington

Chester Bennington was the lead vocalist of Linkin Park from 1999 until his tragic death in 2017. Bennington’s emotional and powerful vocals became one of the most iconic elements of Linkin Park’s sound, blending melodic singing with raw, screaming vocals. His contributions to the band’s music, particularly on Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteora (2003), helped define their style, and he was central to their worldwide success. His lyrics, which often dealt with themes of pain, frustration, and personal struggles, resonated deeply with millions of fans.

Outside of Linkin Park, Bennington was involved in several other musical projects, including his work with the bands Dead by Sunrise and Stone Temple Pilots. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential rock vocalists of his generation. His death in 2017 was a devastating loss to both the band and the music world, but his legacy continues to live on in the band’s music and in the hearts of his fans.

Emily Armstrong

Emily Armstrong joined Linkin Park in 2023 as the lead vocalist, following the tragic passing of Chester Bennington. Armstrong’s vocal style brings a fresh dimension to the band’s music while paying tribute to Bennington’s legacy. Her powerful and emotionally charged vocals complement the band’s iconic sound, and she has become an integral part of their performances since her joining. Armstrong’s role has been crucial to the band’s evolution, and her addition marks a new era for Linkin Park while maintaining the emotional depth that the band is known for.

Before joining Linkin Park, Armstrong had been involved in various alternative rock and indie projects, showcasing her versatility as a vocalist. In 2023, Armstrong contributed to Linkin Park’s reunion and their new creative direction, playing a major role in the band’s live performances.

Colin Brittain

Colin Brittain is the drummer and percussionist for Linkin Park, joining the band in 2023. Brittain’s drumming style has been lauded for its precision and energy, which helped to reinvigorate the band’s rhythm section after the departure of original drummer Rob Bourdon. His role in the 2023 reunion performances has been essential to maintaining the band’s dynamic sound, and he has contributed to their live shows with his strong presence behind the drum kit.

Outside of Linkin Park, Brittain has worked as a session drummer and producer for a variety of artists. His versatile drumming and production skills have made him a sought-after collaborator, contributing to his success in the music industry. Brittain’s addition to Linkin Park has added a modern, fresh energy to the band’s live performances.

Rob Bourdon

Rob Bourdon was the original drummer for Linkin Park and a founding member of the band. He played a pivotal role in the formation of Linkin Park’s sound, contributing to their first albums, including Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteora (2003). Bourdon’s drumming was essential to the band’s rhythm section, providing a solid backbone for their music. His ability to adapt to the band’s genre-blending style was key to Linkin Park’s success, particularly during their early years. Bourdon’s contributions to the band were integral to their worldwide recognition.

Bourdon left Linkin Park in 2017, and the band has since taken a hiatus following the death of Chester Bennington. His role as a drummer and founding member remains a significant part of the band’s legacy. Although Bourdon has not been involved in any projects since leaving Linkin Park, his drumming is still a defining characteristic of the band’s early sound.

Mark Wakefield

Mark Wakefield was the original lead vocalist for Linkin Park during their early years, from 1996 to 1998. Wakefield helped lay the foundation for Linkin Park’s sound, but he was replaced by Chester Bennington in 1999. His brief tenure in the band led to some early demo recordings that would later be refined and released as part of Hybrid Theory. Wakefield’s departure from the band marked a turning point, with Bennington bringing a new energy to Linkin Park’s music.

Wakefield did not achieve the level of fame that followed with Bennington’s addition, but his contributions were a crucial part of Linkin Park’s formation. He was part of the early developmental stages of the band and helped shape the initial direction that would later become one of the most successful rock bands of the 2000s.

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