Why did Rob Bourdon leave Linkin Park? All about his replacement drummer Colin Brittain

On September 5, Linkin Park performed at a live stream event in Los Angeles where they introduced two new members, drummer Colin Brittain and co-lead vocalist Emily Armstrong. While Emily Armstrong will take Chester Bennington’s place seven years after his demise, Colin Brittain is set to replace founding drummer Rob Bourdon.

In the wake of this announcement, co-founder and frontman Mike Shinoda explained during an interview with Billboard published on September 5, why Rob Bourdon left Linkin Park.

“Rob had said to us at a point, I guess it was a few years ago now, that he wanted to put some distance between himself and the band. And we understood that — it was already apparent. He was starting to just show up less, be in less contact, and I know the fans noticed it too,” Shinoda noted.

The band’s co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and lead lyricist further mentioned:

“The Hybrid Theory re-release and Papercuts release, he didn’t show up for anything. So, for me, as a friend, that was sad, but at the same time, I want him to do whatever makes him happy, and obviously everybody wishes him the best.”

Meanwhile, Shinoda also noted in the band’s press release how it found “special kinship” in Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain, and both were “world-class talents.”

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All you need to know about Colin Brittain, the new drummer of Linkin Park

Colin Brittain is an American musician, songwriter, and producer who makes music under the label of Warner Chappell Music and is nicknamed 'Doc.' Now aged 39, he is a drummer and co-producer for Linkin Park and has previously worked for other rock bands including Papa Roach, Hands Like Houses, Basement, Dashboard Confessional, 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, and One OK Rock.

The Nashville, Tennessee native has also collaborated with the likes of Australian singer-songwriter G Flip, Logan Henderson, American musician and DJ Illenium, and Japanese multihyphenate Miyavi. Some of his notable contributions include songs Worst In Me and Ambitions for One OK Rock, albums Who Do You Trust and Crooked Teeth for Papa Roach, and 5 Seconds of Summer’s self-titled album alongside 5SOS5’s singles You Don’t Go to Parties and TEARS!

Following his recent joining Linkin Park, Mike Shinoda told Billboard how Brittain was a multi-talented musician who not only played drums, but also guitars, basses, and keyboards. Colin Brittain also “produces and mixes.”

“We have a similar way of looking at music, of starting from scratch, and I really enjoyed working with him and bouncing ideas back and forth. And then when Linkin Park started making stuff, for whatever we were going to do, it was just like, ‘Oh, Colin. We’re making stuff. You should come over,’” Mike Shinoda shared.

He further shared in the band’s latest press release that with the help of the new duo, Linkin Park was looking forward to starting a new chapter, adding that the existing members including Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, and himself already feel “really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we’ve made together.”

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For those unaware, Linkin Park dropped the single The Emptiness Machine on Thursday, September 5, following the introduction of Brittain and Armstrong. It is the lead single for their upcoming album From Zero, slated to release on November 15. The band is also ready to embark on its arena From Zero World Tour from September 11 to November 11 across six locations including Los Angeles, New York, London, Hamburg, Seoul, and Bogota.