While some fans may be delighted at news of American rock band Linkin Park’s reunion, the son of its late lead singer Chester Bennington is not.

In an Instagram Story posted on Sept 9, Jaime Bennington, 28, slammed the comeback with replacement vocalist Emily Armstrong.

Armstrong, 38, was unveiled as the new singer of Linkin Park, along with new drummer Colin Brittain, 37, in a live performance on Sept 5 in Los Angeles. They join returning members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell and Joe Hahn. Chester Bennington died of suicide at the age of 41 in 2017.

Jaime Bennington said Linkin Park co-founder Shinoda, 47, had “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy... during international suicide prevention month (September)”.

He took issue with Armstrong’s alleged ties to the cult of Scientology and her defence of American actor Danny Masterson, who was sentenced in 2023 to 30 years to life in prison for rape.

Armstrong’s parents are reportedly prominent members of the church. She also supported Masterson, a known Scientologist, by attending a court hearing in 2020.

Addressing Shinoda, Bennington wrote: “People aren’t having a hard time wrapping their head around the prospect of Linkin Park reinventing itself. They are having a hard time wrapping their head around how you hired your friend of many years, Emily Armstrong, to replace Chester Bennington knowing Emily’s history in the church (of Scientology) and her history as an ally to Danny Masterson.”

He added: “You have betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and (supportive) human beings, including myself.”

Armstrong, who started the rock band Dead Sara, had responded to the controversy of her appointment as Linkin Park’s new vocalist on Sept 6 in an Instagram Story. While she did not mention her alleged ties to Scientology, she said that she had misjudged Masterson.

She wrote then: “Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance, and went to one early hearing as an observer. Soon after, I realised I shouldn’t have. I always try to see the good in people, and I misjudged him. I have never spoken with him since. Unimaginable details emerged and he was later found guilty.

“To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathise with the victims of these crimes.”

The new Linkin Park kicked off a tour on Sept 11 in Los Angeles, one which will take them to cities like New York, Hamburg, London, Seoul and Bogota. They are slated to release a new album, From Zero, on Nov 15. This is the first new music and tour from Linkin Park since Chester Bennington’s death.