LINKIN PARK Has 'Every Intention' Of Continuing, Says MIKE SHINODA

Mike Shinoda says that he has "every intention" of continuing with LINKIN PARK, half a year after the death of his bandmate Chester Bennington.

Chester committed suicide on July 20 at the age of 41. In the months that followed, fans have speculated about the band's future, with some of them assuming that LINKIN PARK's time as a recording and touring entity would be at an end.

Earlier today, Shinoda released a three-song EP titled "Post Traumatic", which directly addressed Bennington's death and Mike's anxiety over figuring out what comes next.

In response to the Internet chatter about what's next for him and his bandmates, Shinoda tweeted: "I have every intention on continuing with LP, and the guys feel the same. We have a lot of rebuilding to do, and questions to answer, so it'll take time."

LINKIN PARK paid tribute to Bennington last October with an emotional three-hour show that featured numerous guests joining the band onstage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Among the artists who performed with the band throughout the show were BUSH's Gavin Rossdale, Jonathan Davis of KORN, Alanis Morissette, the instrumental members of NO DOUBT, Oli Sykes of BRING ME THE HORIZON, BLINK-182, M. Shadows and Synyster Gates of AVENGED SEVENFOLD and many more.

Shinoda opened up about his relationship with Bennington in an interview with Kerrang! magazine, saying: "I spent more time with Chester than anyone else in my adult life, except for my wife. We were always around each other. People would say we were like brothers, but we were different because brothers are bound by blood. Technically, we were dudes in a band who could break up and walk away from each other if we wanted to. I think it’s more exceptional that we never did that."

Shinoda also spoke about Bennington's efforts to work on his life and sobriety, saying: "I know he worked really hard to do what he did. He woke up in the morning and spent time with his family. He worked out for two hours. He went to AA meetings, or therapy, or whatever worked that part of his brain. He warmed up his voice. He did all of those things just to exist in everyday life... I know he worked so hard to be the guy that everybody saw. It didn't come easily for him at all."