Linkin Park members considered changing band name

Members of Linkin Park considered changing the band's name following the death of vocalist Chester Bennington, according to revelations in the documentary ‘Unshatter’. The film tracks the group's journey toward their 2024 stage return.

Mike Shinoda stated that while the band realized they were not obligated to keep the original name, the music they composed together felt inherently connected to the Linkin Park identity. Shinoda described the idea of using a different name as being ‘somewhat foolish, almost irrational’ because the new songs remained unmistakably linked to the band's sound.

Creative director Joe Hahn noted that a name change would have imposed a permanent burden of explanation. He expressed a desire to avoid the responsibility of having to explain the decision regarding the name ‘every day, forever.’ The band explored various scenarios for their return, including forming a new group that might perform Linkin Park songs or continuing as Linkin Park with different vocalists.