Linkin Park Explains Founding Drummer Rob Bourdon’s Absence From Their Comeback

Linkin Park recently made waves with their highly anticipated reunion, but fans noticed that someone was absent from the lineup – founding member Rob Bourdon, the band’s drummer since the 90s.

The new Linkin Park formation was introduced during a live performance on Thursday, September 5, says Blabbermouth; vocalist Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara and drummer Colin Brittain, a songwriter and producer for artists such as G Flip, Illenium and ONE OK ROCK, are joining past members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave

“Phoenix” Farrell and Joe Hahn in the new era of Linkin Park. With this introduction comes the release of a new single “The Emptiness Machine” and an album From Zero, slated to release on November 15. From Zero will be the first full-length album from the band since their 2017 release One More Light, the last album featuring lead vocalist Chester Bennington.

Vocalist/instrumentalist Mike Shinoda shared in a Billboard interview that Bourdon – who had founded Linkin Park with Shinoda and Brad Delson – had decided to leave the band.

“Rob had said to us at a point, I guess it was a few years ago now, that he wanted to put some distance between himself and the band,” Shinoda explained. “And we understood that – it was already apparent. He was starting to

just show up less, be in less contact and I know the fans noticed it too. The Hybrid Theory re-release [in 2020]

and Papercuts release [this past April], he didn’t show up for anything. So for me, as a friend, that was sad, but at the

same time, I want him to do whatever makes him happy and obviously everybody wishes him the best.”

Shinoda also referred to the involvement of Brittain, an artist, songwriter, producer and mixer who has worked with producers such as Kato Khandwala (Blondie, Paramore), John Feldman (5 Seconds of Summer, Blink-182) and his occasional partner Nicholas “Ras” Furlong (5 Seconds of Summer, Papa Roach, Avicii).