In a staggering year of celebrity deaths and musical dedications 2018 has pulled no punches when it comes to our hearts. This time around it id Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda who has released new music in response to a broken heart. As a solo project, Shinoda has given to the world a new three-track EP aptly titled Post Traumatic that has been inspired by the surprising passing of Chester Bennington. When listening to the EP, one can see, hear, and feel the true distraught emotions that Mike feels for the Bennington family and himself. It is truly a beautiful masterpiece of heartbreak. As a complimentary piece to his new music, Shinoda has also released a set of visuals in which he created himself. To describe the visual piece, Shinoda says, “as such, this is no Linkin Park, nor is it Fort Minor – it’s just me. Art has always been the place to go when I need to sort through the complexity and confusion of the road ahead. I don’t know where this path goes, but I’m grateful I get to share it with you.” See the whole announcement from Consequence of Sound. 

The track titled “Over Again” is clear in its address to Bennington’s death, which includes the harrowing experience of creating a tribute concert for Linkin Park’s lead singer. In the song he says, “Well now that show’s finally here, it’s tonight/ Supposed to go to the bowl, get on stage, dim the lights/ With our friends and our family, in his name, celebrate/ There’s no way that I’ll be ready to get back up on that stage.” Through his EP Post Traumatic one can really feel the pain that the band experiences after the death of Chester Bennington. If you truly want to get into the minds of such an occurrence, there is no better way.

Post Traumatic

1. Place to Start

2. Over Again

3. Watching as I Fall

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat