Likin Park is a legendary rock band that is well-known for their hard rock sound and heavy metal influences. However, the band has taken on a different sound and in their most recent single “Heavy” and album One More Light received a lot of criticism from long-time fans that are not used to hearing this poppy style from them.

The song has a pop-like electronic beat and sounds similar to many of the popular EDM songs that have been making top charts in the most recent months. But, Chester Bennington, the lead vocalist of Linkin Park, says that their new sound is not a publicity stunt or a sell out of artistic vision to get more listeners, but a decision made within the group to try something different.

Bennington spoke about how the band’s new single was received in an interview with Kerrang! Radio. The artist aggressively defended his and the band’s decision to make artistic changes and threatened those who have something to say to him about it.

“If you’re gonna be the person who says like ‘They made a marketing decision to make this kind of record to make money’ you can fucking meet me outside and I will punch you in your fucking mouth because that is the wrong fucking answer,” Bennington said.

Although Bennington held back no punches in his defense, he insisted that those that are saying it is a publicity ploy are just using that as an excuse to dislike the song. He continues by saying he doesn’t care how people may feel about the new direction and that the band has to go with what feels right to them, despite adversity.

Listen to the new track below. One More Light was released last Friday and features guest appearances from Pusha T, Stormzy and Kiiara.