From Zero by Linkin Park | Album Review

Linkin Park’s first album in 7 years ushers in a new era for the band

Listen to From Zero: Apple Music | Spotify

In 2017, we last heard from Linkin Park when they gifted us with One More Light. The album was quite divisive for its pop-leaning production, upsetting fans with its direction and many saying the band had sold out. This anger and disappointment however would later turn to grief, when lead singer Chester Bennington passed away in July of that year. Following the cancellation of a world tour, and performing a tribute concert in honour of Bennington, Linkin Park went on hiatus. Band members like Mike Shinoda pursued solo work, while older albums like Hybrid Theory and Meteora would be re-released for their respective anniversaries.

Unknown to many, but Linkin Park was working in secrecy to make a comeback, unveiling everything via a planned livestream 2 months ago. The band performed their back catalogue and introduced Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain, Linkin Park’s newest lead singer and drummer respectively. Reactions were quite positive although there was some controversy regarding Armstrong as the choice for Chester’s replacement, but nevertheless, Linkin Park was finally back.

They inaugurate their return with From Zero, their first project featuring new music in over 7 years. Many questions arose as to what direction Linkin Park would go in, how would the band sound with a new lead vocalist and most importantly: will they be able to live up to the standard they set themselves with when Chester was here? From Zero not only sees a true return to form for the band, but sets a new standard that will make longtime fans such as myself, and newcomers thoroughly pleased.

Production wise, From Zero harbors some of the best sounding material the band has given us in a very long time. They trade the poppy sounds of their last album in exchange of a more alt-rock/nu-metal emphasis. If I had to compare, From Zero feels similar to Hybrid Theory and Minutes to Midnight in some regards. Taking the best parts of those albums and focusing on them. You can hear the influences clearly, such as on “Cut The Bridge” whose structure is very similar to “Bleed It Out” with its anthemic quality or “Two Faced” with it’s raging guitar riffs that are reminscent to “One Step Closer”.

And I must say, From Zero does get quite heavy. Songs like “Casualty” and “IGYEIH” will whet the appetites of those needing a heavy metal fix from Linkin Park. I was genuinely surprised the band would even tap into this sound, especially on a comeback record. The album’s melodic cuts such as the previously released “The Emptiness Machine” are also not too bad either and don’t take away from the rawness that From Zero exudes. The more poppier tracks though like “Over Each Other” do feel a bit out of place with the rest of the album, and could have easily been replaced by another heavy metal/nu metal tinged song instead.

I also have to commend the performances of the entire band throughout the album. Guitarists Brad Delson and Dave Farrrell shred each riff on the album, particularly on the intense “Two Faced”. Joe Hahn introduces these synth like sounds throughout the chorus of “Heavy Is The Crown”, while drummer Colin Brittain does an excellent job matching everything with fast paced percussions. The main standouts though, are easily Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong. For the former, you can hear a sense of revigorated energy in his delivery, like his verse on “Casualty”. For the latter, Armstrong manages to carry her own with some great singing (“Good Things Go”) and ear-piercing screams (“Heavy Is The Crown”) that add to the hardcore intensity of a majority of songs here.

Lyrically, From Zero seems to speak a lot on ideas of rebirth, renewal, and starting over. Straight from the opening excerpt of “From Zero (Intro)” where you hear Emily ask Mike (“From Zero? like, from nothing?”) you already get the sense that Linkin Park is starting from scratch. They anticipate the backlash on “The Emptiness Machine” but effectively cut the ties to the past on “Cut The Bridge” (“Sabotage it all, just to watch it fall. Cut the bridge we’re on.”).

The EDM inspired “Overflow” is a haunted look at apathy, with Armstrong and Shinoda accepting their fates. Could it be death? Not living up to the expectations of hardcore fans? In true LP fashion we do get bouts of angst like on “Two Faced” where the rage is directed at a third party for betrayal: (“Your truth’s not rigid, your rules aren’t fair. The dark’s too vivid, the light’s not there.”). “IGYEIH” sees Armstrong bear her teeth at somebody, for giving them everything but not receiving the same commitment back.

Album closer “Good Things Go” ends From Zero on a contemplative note. It sees the band become a bit apologetic to themselves and those who have hurt them. The pop-rock production give the track an anthemic quality that matches Shinoda and Armstrong’s pensive verses: (“Only you can save me from my lack of self-control, and I won’t make excuses for the pain I caused us both. So thank you for always standing by me even though sometimes bad things take the place where good things go.”). I found it to be an emotional way to end the album, serving as an apology to fans most likely and those around the band.

As much praise I’ve given From Zero, it’s not without its faults. A lot of the poppier sounding songs like the aforementioned “Good Things Go” or “Over Each Other” feel like b-sides from 2017’s One More Light, and their inclusion does feel strange on an otherwise very heavy album. Also the structure of the tracklist I did find to be a bit jarring, preferably if the more nu-metal sounding songs took more precedence on the album’s fist half, and then the pop-like songs got reserved to the second half, I think structurally From Zero would have flowed a bit better.

Overall though, I was pleased with From Zero. As Linkin Park’s first foray of new music in a long time, they hit the ground running with a album full of bangers. The performances from old and new members was great and disputes any claims that Linkin Park can’t reach the level they were at previously. Lyrically the songs feel relatable and relative to the current state of the band and what listeners are probably thinking. While there are some duds in the production and the track listing, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy what I was listening to.

I’m giving Linkin Park’s From Zero a solid 7.5 out of 10. If it wasn’t for some of the faults I mentioned this would have gotten a fair 8/10 in my eyes. Either way, it’s so good to hear that Linkin Park is finally back and making music. As they journey on to this next era, the comparisons between the past and present will forever be made, but I think Linkin Park knows what they’re doing and From Zero is an indication that the band is in good hands.

Final Rating: 7.5/10

Favourite Tracks: The Emptiness Machine, Cut The Bridge, Heavy Is The Crown, Casualty, Two Faced, IGYEIH.