Jacoby_Chester_Header

Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix "understands the darkness" Chester Bennington faced

[Photos by: Bryson Roatch/Instagram, Brian To/WENN.com]

Commenting on Chester Bennington during a recent interview, Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix says he understands the demons that the Linkin Park frontman struggled with.

Read more: Mike Shinoda talks grieving and healing after Chester Bennington’s death

“I knew him quite well,” Shaddix tells Radio Chatter during the interview (transcription via Blabbermouth). “I went out to dinner with him about a month before all that went down. He just had great advice to give me and was just super friendly and I just thought everything was cool. But the reality is I've struggled with a lot of the same demons he's struggled with and I understand the darkness.”

The singer says his heart goes out to anyone that's struggling with mental health themselves or has someone in their lives that is “in that dark place.”

“Sometimes it just feels like everything is just way too heavy and you just can't handle life,” he comments. “And it's tough sometimes. I'm just glad I'm still breathing, 'cause that really just hit me hard. It made me go, 'Ugh. That's just too heavy.' We lost some good ones in this last year, for real.”

Bennington died unexpectedly this past July after struggling with his mental health. Linkin Park have just released their new live album, One More Light Live, to serve as documentation of the group's final tour with the vocalist. You can purchase the record here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
ImAlive – Online Crisis Network
The Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Initiatives
The Jed Foundation

Watch more: APTV: 11 Linkin Park deep cuts