Seven years after the release of “One More Light” and the tragic death of Chester Bennington, “From Zero” is an emotionally charged work, marking a bold return for Linkin Park. Somewhere between a tribute to the past and an attempt at rebirth, this album is bound to divide opinion, but if “From Zero” will never surpass the monuments of “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora”, it stands well above the band's most controversial pop period.
After the eponymous instrumental introduction, it's clear from the very first seconds of “The Emptiness Machine” that Linkin Park wanted to recapture the visceral energy of their early albums. The song, with its heavy riffs and explosive choruses, reminds tracks like 'Papercut' and 'Somewhere I Belong'. This desire to evoke the band's early days culminates in 'Heavy Is The Crown', where Emily Armstrong lets out an intense 17-second scream that is irrevocably reminiscent of Chester's on 'Given Up'. It's one of the album's most memorable moments, and proves to skeptics that the band is as effective and rabid as ever.
Tracks like 'IGYEIH' and 'Two Faced' also evoke Linkin Park's glorious past, with a masterful alternation between Mike Shinoda's rap and shouted choruses reminiscent of 'Faint' and 'One Step Closer'. These tracks give fans the impression of rediscovering what made the band so strong in the early days.
Despite these qualities, “From Zero” sometimes suffers from its ambition to resurrect the full spirit Linkin Park, taking the good with the bad. These elements aren't necessarily a bad thing, but their presence is palpable throughout the album. Tracks like “Good Things Go” and “Stained” adopt a softer melodic structure, flirting with a more mainstream, less abrasive sound.
That said, “From Zero” succeeds better than the attempts at innovation of the “Living Things” or “One More Light” periods, when the band strayed from its roots to explore more pop sounds. While these experiments disappointed many fans, “From Zero” marks an assertive step backwards, without abandoning everything either, and although perfectible, it remains more than faithful to the band's DNA.
“From Zero” is both a vibrant tribute to Chester Bennington and a courageous attempt to open a new chapter. Despite standout tracks such as “Heavy Is The Crown”, “Two Faced” and “The Emptiness Machine”, this album is a half-hearted comeback that will delight many, but fails to rise above the shadow of the first albums. Emily Armstrong brings undeniable energy, but certain artistic choices show us that this new album hesitates between the band's roots and pop experimentation. An album that will delight fans of Linkin Park's nostalgic side, without forgetting previous innovations.