The newly remodeled Linkin Park has welcomed several new members as they embark on their next chapter, including vocalist Emily Armstrong, drummer Colin Brittain, and touring guitarist Alex Feder. Feder stepped into the live lineup after longtime guitarist Brad Delson announced he would not be joining the band on tour.
Despite his absence from the stage, Delson remains an integral part of Linkin Park and contributed to their comeback album, From Zero. In an interview with Guitar World, Delson explained his decision to step back from live performances.
“For all of us, it wasn’t about just going back to what we were doing,” Delson shared, reflecting on the band’s return after a seven-year hiatus following Chester Bennington’s passing in 2017. “It was about taking what we’ve learned during that time off and using it to approach our roles with more self-awareness and insight. For me, I thrive in the studio—I love creating new things. That’s where my energy is best spent.”
Delson sees Alex Feder as a perfect fit for the live lineup, jokingly calling him his “world-traveler doppelganger.” “Alex brings so much to the show,” Delson added.
While Delson isn’t performing onstage, his creative influence is still felt in Linkin Park’s live performances. “I’m really proud of the show,” he said. “Even though I’m not physically onstage, I’ve poured a lot of my creative energy into it. I’ve always been obsessed with the setlist, the show’s concept, and how it flows. That hasn’t changed—I worked just as hard on the current show as I did in the past.”
Following a series of one-off performances in 2024, Linkin Park is set to launch a full-scale world tour in 2025 to support From Zero. As for the possibility of Delson returning to the live lineup in the future, he remains open-minded.
“You never know,” he said. “I don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t say for sure.”
With new members and a renewed sense of purpose, Linkin Park is forging ahead while honoring their past and embracing what lies ahead.