Rock band Linkin Park’s new lead singer grew up in Scientology dorms for its most zealous followers’ children before becoming a “hardcore” church member, the Daily Beast has learned.
Chester Bennington, in an issue of Kerrang!, talked about some of the meaning behind “Leave Out All The Rest”, saying “We knew this was going to be a single from the very beginning, so we worked really hard on making sure it had some great lyrics. I’m singing ‘Pretending someone else can save me from myself’ during it because it’s supposed to feel like an apology letter, as though I’m moving on but I want people to remember the good things and not the bad things. A lot of the song is about humility.“
The media is whitewashing her connection to Scientology. She was raised in the ‘church’ according to Growing Up in Scientology! That said, the song isn’t too bad. As far as I’m concerned, no one will be able to fill Chester’s shoes!
In the end, it wasn’t actually the end for Linkin Park. The rock band is back with new music for the first time in seven years — and a new singer as well. Emily Armstrong joined the band, replacing the late Chester Bennington, who died in 2017. Armstrong has sung in the band Dead Sara since 2005, and makes her Linkin Park debut on new single “The Emptiness Machine,” sharing vocal duties with Linkin Park cofounder Mike Shinoda. (Colin Brittain is also joining Linkin Park as their new drummer, with Rob Bourdon not returning.) She joined the band on stage for the first time on September 5, and will feature on their new album From Zero, out November 15. But Armstrong’s addition has already been controversial, as fans scrutinize her history with Scientology and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.
Linkin Park’s ‘In The End’ is a song that resonates with many for its raw portrayal of effort, loss, and the realization that sometimes, no matter how hard one tries, things may not turn out as planned. The song, released in 2000 as part of their debut album ‘Hybrid Theory’, quickly became one of the band’s most successful tracks, blending nu-metal and rap-rock elements to deliver a powerful emotional punch. The lyrics, co-written by the band’s lead vocalist Chester Bennington and rapper Mike Shinoda, delve into themes of time’s inexorable march and the ultimate insignificance of one’s actions in the grand scheme of things.
The opening lines set the tone for the song’s introspective journey, questioning the value of effort when the outcome remains unaffected. The chorus, with its repeated lines ‘I tried so hard and got so far, but in the end, it doesn’t even matter,’ captures the essence of human struggle and the pain of realizing that the struggle may be in vain. This sentiment is further emphasized by the imagery of time slipping away, symbolized by the pendulum swings and the ticking clock, underscoring the transient nature of life and the futility of clinging to past achievements or failures.
The song also touches on personal relationships and trust, with the narrator reflecting on a relationship where they invested emotional energy only to be let down. The lines ‘I’ve put my trust in you, pushed as far as I can go’ suggest a deep vulnerability and the disappointment that comes with unreciprocated trust. ‘In The End’ is not just a lament; it’s a cathartic release of frustration and a meditation on the human condition. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its relatable message and Linkin Park’s ability to articulate complex emotions through their music.