The Emptiness Machine - Linkin Park

A while back I re-discovered Linkin Park with their new album and the song "Heavy Is The Crown", but lately I've been listening more and more to this track: The Emptiness Machine.

It hits me everytime: it begins just like the olden Linkin Park songs. Lovely song vocals by Mike Shinoda, the lyrics hitting just like before "let you cut me open just to watch me bleed" - it could've come from a song from the 'Numb' era, then heavy guitars and a drum riff that screams "typical Linkin Park". Then some sweet vocals from the new vocalist Emily. You're thinking, yea nice and all that, but you're wondering where's that Chester energy? And then Emily starts a tour-de-force and starts this scream/singing that almost sounds like Chester. I don't know how she does it, but her voice hits the same way that Chester's does. Chef's kiss!

Not sure why this song didn't hit me as hard a couple months ago when I first listened to the album, maybe it's because lately I've been thinking about past relationships that showed this toxic dynamic and push/pull periods and it fits 'the mood' better. Or maybe I needed time to process the loss of Chester and accept Emily as replacement and only now have I made my peace with the changes in the band.

Next up: Within Temptation, another band from my past that's tied to those teenage relationship memories. Maybe I need to work through my feelings by listening to this music again.