I would love to do him proud, you know?

Linkin Park entering its next chapter with a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong, after a years-long hiatus that started in the wake of tragedy, when former frontman Chester Bennington died by suicide in 2017.

There was a part of us, like, over the last seven years where we did remember that we have a, I don't want to say it's like a responsibility, because it's not all that serious, but there is a benefit to, like, if we get this thing up and running and we do it well, like, then all, everybody gets to play a role.

That was kind of what we were hoping in the beginning, was to be part of something that became, you know, really great.

Speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the band opens up about Linkin Park 2.0, turns out their new 38-year-old singer is an OG fan.

When I first listened to Linkin Park, like, Hybrid Theory, was like my favorite album.

Um, and I was starting bands at the time, I was in a band, and that was the moment where I was like, I want to sing and scream.

You know, one step closer, I was like, I could do that.

As for what long-time fans can expect, a new album's on the way, followed by a world tour later this year.

So, of course, you know, it gets to this point and just being like, this is crazy.

I would love to do him proud, you know?

The rockers say they're ready to honor their late bandmate with a brand-new yet familiar sound.

Everything I've seen you, like, bring to the table feels naturally like this band.

Yeah.

Chester's one of a kind, like, Chester did his thing like no one else could do it, and I think, like, what's amazing is, like, Emily just being Emily works in Linkin Park.