March 7, 2000 - Disturbed and The Sickness

A week after my last release a new band joins my library when Disturbed released their debut album "The Sickness" on March 7, 2000. But who are Disturbed? They are a four-piece nu-metal band from Chicago, Illinois consisting of lead singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, bassist Steve Kmak and drummer Mike Wengren. Disturbed are definitely nu-metal, with a pretty heavy sound and Draiman bringing a new and unique twist to your typical nu-metal singer. Let's see what Disturbed is all about!

The album's first four songs were all singles and we kick off with "Voices" and Draiman gives us the first of his many isms with some very unique yelling. Donegan plays a simple but catchy guitar riff and Draiman leads the way with a very fast verse that sounds pretty cool. There's some computer-y effects added to the chorus and Draiman continues to lead the way with his powerful voice. I love how he quickly delivers the near-rapping verse and he sounds pretty epic in the chorus as well. This was a pretty good choice for an opener as it's a solid introduction into what Disturbed are all about. Up next is "The Game" and Donegan plays some more computer-y guitar that sounds interesting for sure and Draiman does a nice job of alternating between singing and yelling overtop. The pace speeds up dramatically in a nice guitar-driven bridge, then they slow down for another verse. After the next bridge they finally reach the chorus and Draiman sounds great yelling quickly overtop of the nice heavy chorus riff. After another round Wengren plays a nice catchy drum beat and Donegan plays some catchy guitar while Draiman scat sings overtop in an interesting and pretty cool part. They bring it back nicely for a final chorus before jamming things out with a nice heavy finish. This was even better than the first song, everyone stepped up their game! Track 3 is the popular "Stupify" and they dive right into another heavy and catchy main riff with more computer-y extras added on and words don't do justice to these different and very unique and cool riffs. Draiman takes over to start the quieter verse and he ends each line with a nice high scream and he has such a commanding and powerful presence that just draws you in. The chorus is the loud and catchy opening riff and Draiman sounds solid singing the loud chorus. It's all so heavy and also so damm catchy! You can't help but sing/scream along! There's a cool breakdown after a couple rounds and then after a final chorus Draiman leads a nice final verse that ends with him screaming high and fast and it's a nice finish to a pretty cool song. The next track is easily Disturbed's most well-known song, the pseudo title track "Down With The Sickness". Wengren plays some pretty cool drums to start us off and Draiman creepishly whispers "can you feel that? Ah, shit." Donegan comes in with the catchy lead guitar riff and then Draiman unleashes his patented "oooh-wah-ah-ah-ah" and they nicely kick into a full-blown main riff. Draiman sings a nice slow verse and the music starts off quiet but gets louder and louder as things go on until they reach the chorus. It's a pretty catchy sing-along chorus and Wengren's solid drums continue to keep the pace as they move through the next verse and chorus. Donegan sets up the next part nicely before Draiman unleashes a long rant about being abused by his mother. It's very graphic and profane and it's a pretty scary little section that comes off very angry and pretty heavy. The end of it ties nicely back into a final loud chorus to wrap up what is definitely my favourite song on the album. Track 5 is "Violence Fetish" and Draiman leads a nice fast verse with some nice vocals and Donegan carries the chorus with some pretty cool and catchy guitar. Kmak's bass even gets a short spot to shine a bit and Wengren'a drums are solid as usual making this another pretty perfectly nu-metal song. Up next is "Fear" and it's got a slower pace, but a dark and creepy feeling to it and Draiman does some more of his unique mannerisms in the nice heavy opening. The verse starts quiet, but Donegan's guitar sounds good when it comes in and Draiman's verse is really good on this one. There's a faster bridge riff that sounds pretty solid and eventually we reach a chorus that is also pretty good. Draiman spits out a fast new verse midway through that is pretty sweet as well and this all combines for another very good song! Track 7 is "Numb" and they dive right into a slow and pretty simple opening that is fairly dull compared to the rest of the album. The verse has even less happening and Draiman sings softly overtop, but the chorus has some nice louder guitars and Draiman yelling and sounding much better. After another round Draiman leads a cool new verse that is pretty fast and this carries over into the rest of the song as he nicely spices up the final chorus and ending. It started slow, but it picked up! The next track is "Want" and it has a very quiet intro before Draiman comes in with a loud yell and the rest of the band follows with a slow but nice and catchy chorus riff. Draiman leads another cool verse and Donegan's guitar sounds cool here as well. Draiman sounds great in the chorus as well and along with a cool new riff by Donegan after the second round as well, this all combines for a pretty cool tune! There are no guitar solos in any of these songs, but Disturbed have really nailed their style and we continue to hear lots of solid songs! Track 9 is "Conflict" and Draiman'a voice skips like a turntable on this one and it sounds pretty cool! The main riff is undeniably and extremely catchy and words can't properly describe what's going on. Everything sounds great, how was this not a single! The chorus is just as catchy, upbeat and heavy and this is some pretty top-notch nu-metal! The middle section starts off with a great new heavy part and devolves into a space-y and quiet part that sounds pretty epic. Draiman explodes out of this with a cool skipping "e-e-e-enemyyy" and you just have to listen to it, it's a great song the whole way through! Up next is "Shout 2000" and it's actually a Tears For Fears cover! Draiman sings in a pretty commercial voice but still sounds solid and they turn this pop song into a pretty solid metal jam with a catchy main riff with some cool guitar and some nice bass by Kmak. There are a few different and coop riffs mixed in here and everything sounds pretty good, it's hard not to sing along to the chorus! Track 11 is "Droppin' Plates" and Draiman's "yeah here we go again, GET UP" is a great way to match the energy of this song which again words don't do proper justice to. It's a perfect mix of hip-hop beats and nu-metal heavy guitars and Draiman raps so awesomely overtop. The chorus is smooth and the rest hits fast and hard and there are so many iconic and awesome songs on this debut album! The last song on the album is no exception and it's called "Meaning Of Life". Wengren plays a catchy drum beat, Kmak and Donegan enter with some catchy stuff as well and then Draiman sings the first chorus, "get psycho, I wanna get psycho". It's repetitive but catchy and then Draiman sings a really catchy fast verse. There's a nice heavy bridge before they return to the chorus and after another round the bridge takes us to a new part where Draiman raps very quickly and sounds pretty good. They wrap it up with a final chorus and what a debut that was!

That is the end of "The Sickness" and I thought it was a fantastic debut album by Disturbed! Mike Wengren and Steve Kmak provide a solid rhythm section, Dan Donegan plays lots of catchy and heavy guitar and David Draiman is a one of a kind vocalist that can make any song sound pretty solid. There is a ton of great nu-metal on this album and it's gonna be a tough album to top! I look forward to seeing them try!