Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park, tragically took his own life on July 20, 2017. His death sent shockwaves through the rock community and had a profound impact on many artists who were influenced by Linkin Park’s music. One such artist was Bad Omens, a metalcore band from Los Angeles. Shortly after Bennington’s passing, Bad Omens released a song called “Glass Houses” that was directly inspired by and dedicated to Chester Bennington.
The History of Bad Omens
Bad Omens formed in 2015 and consists of vocalist Noah Sebastian, guitarists Nicholas Ruffilo and Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson, bassist Vincent Riquier, and drummer Nick Folio. The band had already been heavily inspired by Linkin Park early in their career, even covering Linkin Park’s iconic song “Crawling” and releasing it prior to their first EP. When Chester Bennington died, it shook the band to their core. They felt it was only right to honor his legacy with a tribute song.
“Glass Houses” was written and recorded just weeks after Bennington’s death. The band poured their hearts into the track, channeling the pain and grief that they, like so many others, felt over the loss of such an iconic figure. Though the song was emotionally difficult to create, Bad Omens felt it was one of the most important songs they would ever write.
Lyrical Themes in “Glass Houses”
“Glass Houses” touches on several themes relating to mental health, depression, grief, and the struggles Bennington went through. The title itself is a reference to the fragility of the human mind and how “glass houses can shatter so easily.” The song tackles the extremely sensitive issue of suicide head-on.
Lead singer Noah Sebastian belts out raw, emotional vocals about trying to “save you from yourself” and questions “why’d you have to go and take your life?” The agonizing lyrics illustrate how those left behind by suicide grapple with immense pain and guilt. Sebastian sounds as if he is crying out desperately to Bennington himself throughout the track.
The song also pleads for people suffering from depression to find the courage to keep fighting. Lyrics urge, “don’t give up, don’t say ‘no more,’ we need you here now.” Baden Omens emphasizes how important and loved Bennington was, even if he couldn’t see it himself when making the decision to die by suicide.
The Music Video’s Concept and Imagery
The music video for “Glass Houses” uses powerful imagery to reinforce the song’s message. It opens with a brooding thunderstorm, representing the darkness and despair referenced throughout the lyrics. Much of the video shows the band’s lead singer Noah Sebastian singing emotionally in a darkened room.
The most striking image of the video arrives in the final scene. We see Sebastian in a bathtub filled with water, arms outstretched and head tilted back in a posture eerily evocative of death. Beneath the water’s surface we can glimpse a figure that appears to be Sebastian himself, wearing a flannel shirt like one Chester Bennington often performed in.
This visually poetic scene seems to illustrate the dual nature of the lead singer and Bennington – the external persona who performs for the crowds versus the inner turmoil and sadness they harbored inside. It’s a stark representation of the “glass house shattering” and the struggle to “save you from yourself” that the lyrics portray.
The Song’s Musical Style Pays Tribute to Linkin Park
While “Glass Houses” reflects Bad Omens’ own contemporary metalcore sound, it incorporates several elements that pay direct homage to Linkin Park. The vocals alternate seamlessly between screaming and clean singing, just as Chester Bennington did flawlessly in Linkin Park’s music.
There are even a few deliberate callbacks to Linkin Park’s iconic 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory. “Glass Houses” features programmed electronics and samples that echo Linkin Park’s early nu-metal-meets-rap-rock style. The heavy use of synth creates a brooding, atmospheric tone reminiscent of Hybrid Theory tracks like “Crawling” and “In The End.”
Fans also noticed that the cadence of the line “I know that you’re gone now” mirrors the way Chester Bennington sang “I cannot take this anymore” in the hit Linkin Park song “One Step Closer.” It’s just one of several subtle musical nods to the lasting influence of Linkin Park woven throughout “Glass Houses.”
Bad Omens’ Connection to Chester Bennington
In various interviews, Bad Omens has spoken candidly about how devastating Chester Bennington’s death was for them. They make it clear that Bennington was nothing less than a musical hero. His soaring vocals and brutally honest lyrics inspired Bad Omens’ own musical direction.
The band has said it was extremely emotional and difficult for them to write a song tackling Bennington’s suicide. But they felt compelled to turn their grief into art to process the tragedy. For Bad Omens, “Glass Houses” represents their attempt to sustain Bennington’s legacy and raise awareness for mental health.
Tragically, a couple years after Chester Bennington’s death, Bad Omens suffered their own loss when their guitarist Jolly Karlsson died by suicide in 2019. The band said Karlsson had been struggling with severe depression. This second loss only further cemented Bad Omens’ commitment to using their platform to speak openly about mental illness. They continue to honor both Chester Bennington and Jolly Karlsson with their powerful music and messaging.
Reaction from Linkin Park Members
Several members of Linkin Park have publicly acknowledged and praised Bad Omens’ tribute song “Glass Houses.”
Mike Shinoda
Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda tweeted about the song to his followers shortly after it was released. He said that Chester would appreciate the sentiment behind the song. Mike said the video was “beautifully done” and thanked Bad Omens for their moving tribute.
Dave Farrell
Linkin Park bassist Dave Farrell, aka Phoenix, also tweeted after seeing the video and said the song gave him “goosebumps.” He said it was an honor for Bad Omens to memorialize Chester in such a poignant way.
Anna Shinoda
Mike Shinoda’s wife, Anna Shinoda, wrote a lengthy Instagram post after hearing the song and watching the video. She said she was incredibly moved, calling the song “painfully beautiful.” Anna thanked Bad Omens for their empathy and mentioned she could tell how much their own hearts were hurting too.
She said it was transformational to take pain and forge it into art, as Bad Omens did with “Glass Houses.” Anna expressed her gratitude for keeping Chester’s spirit alive through music.
Live Performances of “Glass Houses”
Bad Omens began performing “Glass Houses” live in concert almost immediately after releasing it. Fans say it’s one of the most powerful moments of the band’s sets.
Frontman Noah Sebastian has stated they plan to always play it in honor of Chester Bennington. He said the song allows audiences to mourn together and celebrate Bennington’s life and legacy.
Here are some of Bad Omens’ most notable live performances of their tribute anthem “Glass Houses”:
Rock Am Ring Festival
In June 2018, Bad Omens performed at Germany’s famous Rock Am Ring festival. A massive crowd sang along in a full-throated chorus as Sebastian powerfully delivered the stirring vocals.
Reading/Leeds Festival
At Reading/Leeds festival in August 2018, the band played “Glass Houses” during their set on the main stage. Even those who weren’t Bad Omens fans already knew every word and the huge crowd shouted the lyrics back passionately.
Download Festival
In June 2019, Bad Omens were part of Australia’s Download Festival lineup. Fans called their performance of “Glass Houses” a defining moment of the entire festival, creating a massive sing-along.
Epicenter Festival
Epicenter Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina featured Bad Omens in May 2019. The band unleashed a powerfully emotive rendition of “Glass Houses” that had the whole crowd holding up lighters and cell phone flashlights.
The Song’s Enduring Legacy
Despite being written specifically as a tribute shortly after Chester Bennington’s death, “Glass Houses” continues to have a profound impact. It remains one of Bad Omens’ signature songs and most celebrated works.
The track is still heavily streamed by fans new and old. It frequently trends on Twitter and social media on the anniversary of Chester’s passing as people remember the song’s significance. “Glass Houses” has become an anthem for mental health awareness and preventing suicide.
Bad Omens’ beautiful memoriam ensures Chester Bennington’s legacy lives on. The song means just as much to fans today as when it was first released. “Glass Houses” demonstrates music’s power to heal and bring people together even in darkness.
Though Chester Bennington is gone, this song’s immortal message remains – don’t give up, you are loved, and your life has profound meaning. Your glass house can shatter, but we can pick up the pieces together. That is the timeless significance of Bad Omens’ masterpiece, “Glass Houses.”