July 14, 2011 13:54

Linkin Park's Chester Bennington: 'I was a raging alcoholic'

Singer also opens up about being molested as a child

Photo Gallery: Linkin Park
Photo: Pa Photos

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington has admitted that he was once a "raging alcoholic".

Speaking to Kerrang!, the singer explained that he has now quit alcohol, after revealing that he had become a "full blown, raging alcoholic" in previous years.

Asked about his sobriety, he said: "I don't drink. I choose to be sober now. I have drunk over the last six years, but I just don't want to be that person anymore."

Bennington also spoke about the sexual abuse he suffered as a seven year-old. The singer has admitted in previous interviews that he was molested by an older male friend, but has spoken about it again.

He said: "If I think back to when I was really young, to when I was being molested, to when all these horrible things were going on around me, I shudder."

Bennington, who headlined Download Festival with Linkin Park last month, has previously said that the band's fifth album, which they are currently writing, will "polarise people".

Video: Linkin Park At Download Festival 2011

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