HOLLYWOOD (WKRC) — Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park responded to allegations that Emily Armstrong, the band’s new vocalist, is “erasing the past.”

PEOPLE reports that Linkin Park kicked off their “From Zero World Tour” on Tuesday at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. According to the publication, founding member Mike Shinoda talked to fans throughout the concert about beginning a “new chapter” with Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara, the band’s new lead singer.

Seven years after Chester Bennington’s tragedy in 2017, the 38-year-old Armstrong took the stage as a band member. On September 5, the band announced its comeback with the inclusion of Armstrong and Colin Brittain, who took Rob Bourdon’s place as drummer.

When Shinoda questioned the audience if they had ever seen a Linkin Park performance before, they cheered loudly.

We’re back out here in part because of that.Regarding the response, Shinoda remarked, “We are very happy to be back out here.”Erasing the past is not the goal. It’s about coming out here for each and every one of you and beginning this new chapter in the future.

Shinoda went on to say to the crowd at the Kia Forum, “We love writing this music, we love playing for you guys,” and the trio was thrilled about their new album.

The band performed new songs off their upcoming album, which is due out on November 15, as well as old favorites.

In recent years, Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, and Joe Hahn reconnected and, rather than “trying to restart the band,” chose to bring in various musicians until they eventually met Brittain and Armstrong, according to PEOPLE.

According to the journal, Shinoda stated that the band felt “really empowered with this new lineup” and continued by stating that the group had been experimenting with both new and traditional sounds for which it was known.

Days after the news broke, Jamie, Bennington’s son, attacked the band for hiring Armstrong, pointing out the singer’s support for Danny Masterson and affiliation with the Church of Scientology.

Masterson was found guilty of raping two women in 2003 and given a term ranging from 30 years to life in prison, according to CBS News.

Jamie Bennington claimed that Shinoda “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time during international suicide prevention month,” calling the band’s September return announcement “tone deaf.”