The idea for “Unshatter” appeared during a concert LinkinPark in São Paulo, which took place on November 15, 2024, the day of the premiere of “From Zero”. The performance was recorded for a theatrical release, but Joe Hahn decided it was worth supplementing it with a story preceding the group’s return.
“I didn’t think the concert itself was enough. We had a lot more to say about what had happened in the previous years, but also about the seven-year break when we were trying to get our lives back together,” he said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The film included interviews with Linkin Park members, studio recordings and behind-the-scenes materials. In them, musicians talk about the years after their deaths Chester Benningtonthe first joint sessions and decisions regarding the future of the band.
-
The Gloria Artis Medals for Merit to Culture were awarded. The distinction for Quebonafide is the first such distinction in history!
-
Slash returns to Poland! “As long as there is electricity, we will plug in guitars”
Linkin Park returned to the studio in 2022
Chester Bennington died in July 2017. After his death, Linkin Park canceled their tour and suspended their activities for several years. Mike Shinoda admitted that at times he thought the group would never return.
The musicians started meeting in the studio again in 2022. Initially, they did not plan a new album or concerts. Joe Hahn recalls that it was mainly about the opportunity to play together.
“I realized that I like making music with my friends and I want to keep doing it, even if I create songs that no one will ever hear,” he explained.
Brad Delson also had doubts about the return, as he was not convinced about another intensive tour. The guitarist remained a member of the band and is working on new recordings, but he is replaced by Alex Feder during concerts.
In 2024, Linkin Park was joined by Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain. Shinoda emphasizes that the team was not looking for someone to imitate Bennington. Armstrong was told by the musicians that she should sing in her own way because no one could replace Chester.
“I sing songs that the whole world knows, so I wondered what made me think I could do it. But the band gave me confidence, so I didn’t want to let anyone down,” she told USA Today.
“Unshatter” shows Armstrong and Brittain’s first rehearsals, the recording of “From Zero” and a concert at Warner Bros. studios during which the new lineup was introduced to fans. The film also features Mark Hoppus from Blink-182, who visited the band in the studio and was one of the first to hear the material being prepared.
Chester Bennington appears in the end credits
The documentary ends with archival footage of Bennington performing “A Place for My Head.” Joe Hahn admitted that he wanted the singer to be in the film, although the production itself mainly talks about the current lineup and its future plans.
“Chester is always with us. I think he would be proud that we found a way to do this with love. The last thing he would want is for us to stop doing music,” Hahn said.
The film is accompanied by the album “Unshatter Film Soundtrack (Live in São Paulo)”, which contains 20 songs. These include “Somewhere I Belong”, “Numb”, “In the End”, “Papercut”, “The Emptiness Machine” and “Bleed It Out”.
Linkin Park are also working on new material. Hahn revealed that even during their days off on tour, the musicians used the studios and recorded new ideas. However, he did not confirm when the successor to “From Zero” could be expected.