“I’m very upset about it” – Chester Bennington’s mother has spoken on the recent Linkin Park reunion

Although Linkin Park‘s reunion earlier this month was undoubtedly meant to be a victorious comeback, as subsequent events have demonstrated, that hasn’t exactly been the case. The band’s reunion has been well received by the public; their music is once again topping the charts, their comeback tour dates are selling out, and anticipation for their next album, “From Zero,” which drops on November 15th, is growing. Nevertheless, not every article about the highly regarded nü-metal/alternative rock group’s comeback has been favorable. It has proven to be a contentious decision to reinstate Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong in lieu of the late Chester Bennington. Some people are offended by Armstrong’s proven Scientology connections and her previous public endorsement of the Scientologist who was convicted of rape, Danny Masterson. In case you didn’t know, Bennington supported those who had been sexually abused as children because he had been abused sexually himself.

Among the most ardent opponents of Armstrong joining the band were Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the vocalist for The Mars Volta, and his spouse Chrissie. Chrissie was one of numerous women who came out in court and made public accusations of rape against Masterson. Both Chrissie and Cedric were formerly members of the Scientology sect. The couple claims that when Chrissie first came up against Masterson, they were the targets of a horrifying intimidation campaign, carried out, they say, by Scientologists. Although the pair had publicly chastised Armstrong earlier in the year for her backing of Masterson, their criticism of the band’s decision to accept her was extended when she joined Linkin Park. Cedric and Chrissie published several posts that were really nasty to Armstrong. Armstrong would later clarify her prior support for Masterson in a statement following Linkin Park‘s reunion announcement, but it doesn’t seem like her affiliation with Scientology has been properly addressed. Jamie Bennington, Chester’s son, was another person who was quite negative of Armstrong joining Linkin Park. The former charged that Shinoda and others were trying to “erase the past.” Jamie expressed his unhappiness with the band and his disapproval of the way they have decided to move forward in a number of social media postings and videos.

We are thrilled to be back out here. It is not about erasing the past. It is about starting this new chapter into the future and coming out here for each and every one of you.

Mike Shinoda apparent reply to Jamie on stage

Susan Eubanks, Chester’s mother, has now spoken out against the group, saying that they did not get in touch with her or Chester’s kids about the reunion. She further claims that she feels deceived by Armstrong’s inclusion in the reunion and that Shinoda allegedly threatened to replace Chester with a female vocalist.

I feel betrayed. They told me that if they were ever going to do something, they would let me know. They didn’t let me know, and they probably knew that I wouldn’t going to be very happy. I’m very upset about it. I feel like they’re trying very hard to erase the past. They’re performing songs that Chester sang. And I don’t know how the fans are taking it, but I know how I take it. And having [Armstrong] singing my son’s songs is hurtful. Susan Eubanks

She said the band had told her they would let her know if they ever decided to get back together. She further claimed that in the years following Chester’s death, turntablist Joe Hahn and vocalist/guitarist Mike Shinoda both told her they would stay in touch with any group activities. She said that Shinoda had contacted the family about the posthumous release of Chester’s songs in the past few years. But with regards to the major announcement of the group’s new roster, Eubanks says she learned about it from Google. She added that she watched a small portion of the band’s livestreamed reunion announcement and left not being a fan of Armstrong.

I tuned into the livestream when it happened. Not on purpose. I thought her singing … I don’t even remember what it is [she was singing], because I didn’t want to hear it. It was just a moment. But it was her, I’m just going to say it, screeching her way through a very high note. And I got out of there as fast as I could. Mike told Chester one time that he thought singing these songs would be better with a girl, because he often put Chester down. And Chester called me and said, ‘He thinks that they’re going to replace me with a girl.’ And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ And he said Mike told him at rehearsal that, ‘If you decide you’re leaving, we’re going to replace you with a girl.’ And Chester was dumbfounded and hurt. If I could tell the band members anything it’s that I feel betrayed. You made a promise to me that you would let us know and you didn’t. If you were going to do this, this is the wrong way to do it. Don’t put her out there to sing Chester’s songs and then act like this was always the way it should have been. It’s like making him go away, erasing the past. You don’t have to worry about going through the old songs and finding new ones, new Chester songs to put out. Now you can just put out new songs. But don’t bother to put out Chester’s songs with Emily singing them. Susan Eubanks

The band has not yet commented this statement from Ms Eubanks.