Disturbed – Asylum
Look at my backlog of reviews and posts. Go ahead. If you’ve been following my reviews at all, you know that my expertise (stop laughing) falls squarely in death metal and grindcore. Yes, those are the two genres I enjoy and review the most. But everyone has to go out of their comfort zone every once and a while. To that end, I bring you my opinions and thoughts after spending some time with Disturbed’s latest release Asylum.
To be completely honest, as a death/grind insider, Disturbed isn’t on my radar very often. Strange though, seeing as they’ve been around for a decade. Now, I will own up to loving The Sickness and Believe. I can’t count how many times I listened to “Shout 2000” while playing Max Payne or Tribes 2. While I’m being completely honest, I’ll admit that I didn’t give Ten Thousand Fists and Indestructible a second glance. Let’s just say I’ve been out of the Disturbed sphere of influence for a while now.
I entered this album with “cleansed” ears. I hadn’t heard a straight nu-metal record in a long time. Most of my time has been spent listening to various forms of extreme metal. It was honestly refreshing to step back into a more melodic, more tightly structured and nostalgic mode of music.
With such a long time between now and the last time I listened to Disturbed, I was pleasantly surprised at the tone and technicality I heard. This is still rock with a hard edge and a catchy groove, but the band hasn’t forgotten to keep things dark and brooding. And by dark, I mean very dark. “My Child” begins with a baby’s squeal and ends with a flatline, the song obviously about the child Draiman lost. Speaking of Draiman, his vocals are the same as you’ve ever heard, though perhaps a little more mellow this time around. I caught him singing way more than the scat-growling I was used to hearing in high school. It’s definitely a different Disturbed on display here.
What most impressed me is the guitar tone. It’s a hybrid between the normal, punchy nu-metal tone and a rawer, edgier, more metal tone. The closest I can equate would be Load/Re-load era Metallica. There’s even a few solos here! I guess you could say I was flabbergasted at the point in “The Infection” when I thought Kirk Hammet had stepped into the studio. The solos throughout are very catchy. I found myself re-listening to a lot of them. There has been a lot of growth for the band in the past decade.
The song writing here is still very Disturbed. It still centers mostly on Draiman’s iconic delivery, but there are times when it gets very thrashy in its construction. The beginning (and main) riff of “Warrior” is evidence of this. There’s even moments where double bass runs underneath the palm mutes. This is not something I was accustomed to hearing in from them.
Being so out of the loop with the band helped me notice the big differences (and leaps, in some cases) the band has seen over five albums. They’re still catchy, they’re still nu metal, and they’re still predominately writing around Draiman. They are, however, different from what I knew of them and with Asylum’s dark tone, I find myself enjoying a majority of the album.
Detractors will still have the same things to point out. They are Disturbed, after all, and they don’t stray very far from the formula that landed them their fame in the first place. It’s not niche, it’s not underground, it’s not “brutal,” and it’s not going to revolutionize the genre or push genre boundaries. There’s no real crossover and there are no cookie monster growls.
Bottom line, Disturbed fans will love it. People who liked Disturbed but gave their last two albums a wide berth while steeped in extreme metal may like it (I did, after all). Disturbed detractors, however, will hate it for the same reasons they’ve hated every other Disturbed album. If you like, even mildly, the sound Disturbed have, give Asylum a shot. I did and was pleasantly surprised.
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56 Comments
August 31st, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Other than Linkin Park, Disturbed was one of the first bands I got into when I listened to music for the very first time.
I have a soft spot for this album, because of how much I used to love these guys haha.
They may not be the speed of metal I listen to now, but it's still Disturbed, and it's a great album none the less.
The Infection must, dieeeeee.
Great review Adam.
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Simone replied:
January 5th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
damn god man, please don't take photos of you "emo-kid-style" wearing a parkway drive shirt…please…be honest with yourself and if you'll need to take such a photo just wear anything else (justin bieber merchandise maybe?)…
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August 31st, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Well put, Adam.
Definitely growth (maturity as he puts it) in Draimain's vocals and certainly Donegan's guitar work. Band is very tight on this album, and I keep hearing new things each time I listen to some of these tracks. I love how Remnants and the title track flow. Works well to set the tone for the album.
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Chris replied:
August 31st, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Also, I'm another one that "listened to "nu-metal", got into more extreme metal (deathcore), but still enjoy listening to some bands like Disturbed that came from that era". Always did like Disturbed, though.
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August 31st, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Yuck, a 4… this shit is garbage.
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wlad replied:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
true, true…
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DisturbedFan replied:
April 8th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
This "shit" is way better than 99% of what you hear on the radio.
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August 31st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Disturbed to me are like that friend you met many years ago. They were cool and fun yet somewhat quirky and you loved them for it. While your other friends told you they hated your "friend" (and their quirkiness) and that you were stupid for liking them, you continued to stick by their side. Well, as you've grown older, those things that you once adored are starting to wear on your nerves…A LOT! I think these guys need a long break, not only away from each other, but from music in general. They are such talented dudes, but I feel they refuse to really grow and continue to rehash the same ideas. Hey, they sell a boat-load of albums…so what do I know? lol! As always, great review Adam.
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Azriel replied:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:06 pm
So where does Machine Head fit in in this analogy?
And yeah, Disturbed is a tired, old dog. Haven't learned any new tricks, but they've switched it up a little bit. I might check this out, but I wasn't really impressed with the songs released so far.
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Chris replied:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:40 pm
I don't think they need a break, maybe they just enjoy sticking to the sound they have created, which was certainly unique at the time The Sickness came out. They have definitely grown some with this album over the others, while still maintaining parts of their signature sound that the fans love.
And yes, they sell albums for sure, LOL.
It's a money making business at the same time as growing as a band. If you have a niche and fanbase that supports you well, you might not want to drastically change your sound if it works for you.
Like I said in the beginning, I wanted a solid Disturbed album, and that's what I feel I got. Didn't necessarily need/expect/want something hugely innovative and different from them. But they did what I wanted….put a fresh spin on their sound, and grew at the same time.
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August 31st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Disturbed is a strange case in my opinion. They have barely grown at all, musically, but it's kind of like that ONE band which you listen to when you're in that ONE mood, I don't really mind it. However it isn't a "top album" for me at all.
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August 31st, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Very fair review and almost spot-on analyis too. This album sounds different from the last two – different in a good , re-energised way. They've managed to create a particular vibe\feel on this record just like on "The Sickness" and "Believe".
A solid, interesting release from these nu-metal veterans. Gotta give em credit for that.
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Chris replied:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Yeah, it's certainly got a different vibe/tone to it musically. That would be the "maturity" they talked about, I'm sure.
It is re-energized in a certain way, and I'm loving it.
Adam did write some spot on analysis. And I'm glad he went into it relatively fresh.
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August 31st, 2010 at 6:09 pm
nah, probably a 3/5. I agree with Lee, they need to expand and grow more. Still a good album none the less. Good review.
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August 31st, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Ahh, takes me back to my nu-metal glory days. I feel like telling stories that start with "In my day, we…"
In all seriousness, I loved The Sickness. I bought Believe when it was released, and saw them in concert with Ra, TrustCompany, Korn and a few other bands I can't remember. Shortly after, I lost interest in them entirely. This album doesn't appeal to me in the least. Though I'm still fond of my nu metal roots, I'll take Sevendust, Korn or Static-X over these guys any day of the week.
Still a good review, Adam. Glad to see you went in to it with an open mind.
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Chris replied:
August 31st, 2010 at 10:35 pm
I'll swap your Korn or Static-X for Disturbed any day of the week, but I know what you mean.
Sevendust will always be a favorite of that group for me.
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Drew replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I never knew you went to that show. We could've met years sooner. I still have a shirt signed by RA and some aching bones from the massive pit there.
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Jen replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Hey Drew! Yep, very front of the pit getting my ribs crushed against the barricade. Ended up having to be pulled out by security during Korn's set because I thought I was actually going to be crushed. The pit was relentless. It was a good day!
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August 31st, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Never really liked Disturbed, but this really isn't bad. Nothing you'd catch me listening to on a day-to-day basis though.
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August 31st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Disturbed are the AC/DC of the nu-metal generation. They are in their own little niche and as much as people think that they're going to change something in their sound, they don't. And for fans of either bands, they don't care, because they're dedicated and they'll listen to anything they put out. Nothing wrong with that, whatsoever. Which is why I wholeheartedly agree with the review. I'll give it a 3.5 though for those reasons, it's not terrible…but Indestructible was better. There are some sick songs on here like "The Infection" though.
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Thomas replied:
July 10th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Sorry dude but you can’t compare ACDC to Disturbed. ACDC rehash a lot of shit. But Disturbed don’t just write about the same themes or metaphors in every album. The Sickness is nothing like Believe, Fists nothing like Believe or Sickness, and Indestructible the same thing applies. Asylum took some elements from all and was a fresh take on things. Sure I’m a die-hard Disturbed fan. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna like a song from them like a loyal sheep. It has to be great and awesome for that to happen. Reason I’ve kinda fallen out of Roach a bit.
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September 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
I really wanted to like this. I enjoyed their previous works but every song on this CD sounds the same to me. Not one track stood out from the rest. Disappointed bigtime!
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September 1st, 2010 at 9:47 pm
I never thought I'd see the day where you reviewed (and liked) a Disturbed album, Adam. I used to listen to these guys all the time when I was younger but since then have grown out of them a bit. I felt like they got really repetitive and they just didn't appeal to me as much. The samples sound a lot like their previous work. It's something I'd listen to here and there but wouldn't indulge in for long periods of time. I guess they were a product of one of my many transitions in music. I had my times when I was listening to stuff like Jen listed–Static X, etc.
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September 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 am
Great Review! I haven't heard the new CD yet but after reading this I may as well check it out! Couldn't hurt!
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September 6th, 2010 at 10:57 am
The problem with Disturbed for me, is that all their songs sound too similiar with each other. The only song I really liked from them is "Down With The Sickness". For me, this album is like all the other albums that they put out, its TOO similiar.
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September 7th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Well, Disturbed is a band that is a perfect background for washing dishes and stuff like that for me… mainly because they keep recording the same songs all over again, this sadly sounds like Down With The Sickness 5.0 (believe was 2.0, ttf was 3.0, indes was 4.0)
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Thomas replied:
July 10th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Then apparently you’ve never listened to the albums themselves. Name a few songs where he repeats the same shit over and over and you hear the same guitar riffs?
The other people on here that have said they didn’t like it sure. Everyone has an opinion. But to say it’s ALL THE SAME, is an irrelevant response, it doesn’t count as one as you’re completely wrong. You don’t like it? Fine. However you’re wrong when it comes to ‘all being the same’.
I’m only calling you out on your inconsistent reasoning.
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September 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
I was so indifferent when I heard this album. Sure, it's not terrible but I doubt I would actively try and listen to this album again. The band has so much potential and I really don't think they're living up to it. What a shame…
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jakester0403 replied:
September 10th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Im not quite sure I follow your logic. They are not living up to their potential?! First off im not a huge Disturbed fan and im not coming to their defense but potential?! Last time I checked this band is still a force. How many albums have they sold? I can tell you its in the 10's of millions before this album even came out. Some comments just baffle me and this was one of them. Sorry…..
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Aanchel replied:
September 11th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
There's no need to apologise. I just think that the band could do so much better. I generally quite liked Disturbed's previous albums but now it's gotten to the stage where I just think their songs sound all the same. Now I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me, but this is simply my opinion. I'm pretty sure that they have the ability to make songs which sound new and not like their previous stuff, but until they do that, they don't seem to be moving on for me and that means that they're not living up to the potential that they possess.
This is just how I feel though and obviously many would argue that I'm wrong, but oh well.
I don't see how sale numbers show whether a band has potential or not. Some of the greatest bands are completely unheard of to most people and sell few records, but they're still fresh and interesting. People just don't know about them. Disturbed gets so much publicity, but that doesn't mean that they are worthy of that or their sale records. It's just that a lot of people like their music and don't seem to care about their lack of originality. That doesn't make them a force; that makes them popular. I mean, you could look at bands like Fall Out Boy, who are completely over-rated and are some of the most pathetic musicians out there, but people seem to love them and they sell millions of albums. Does that make them a force? Does that mean that they make some of the best music out there? No, they had about two okay-ish songs but now they're simply popular and anything they make would sell. You can't judge a band's force on their sale numbers.
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jakester0403 replied:
September 12th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Let me explain. Your looking at force as talent or being original. No I mean a force in the music world as a whole. Disturbed is a force. When you sell millions of albums in the hard rock or metal world, you are a force period. When you tour city to city and sell out every venue, you are a force. I can see the argument you make that they are popular and mix that with being a force, but becoming popular is what makes a band a force IN THE MUSIC LANDSCAPE. Also you cant compare Fall Out Boy to Disturbed. They are two entirely different brands of music that appeal to two different worlds. If I was talking about Panic At The Disco being a force and you used Fall Out Boy as a reference I would agree but not in comparison to Disturbed. You are talking about music that appeals to little teenie bopper kids and girls as opposed to a hard rock/metal band whose music is A LOT heavier and edgier. Also I never said Disturbed made the best music out there. If you read my comment I even say im not a huge Disturbed fan and im not defending them but they are a force and they are VERY talented musicians. Ask Disturbed if they think they have lived up to their potential as a band and as musicians. They will probably have to get back to you on that after they count their millions. As a band I would say they have lived up to their potential and have become a HUGE success whether or not we think they have evolved or become stale. Why would they change a style that sells MILLIONS of albums and sells out tours all over the WORLD. Im just saying that potential is more than being original or fresh. Im not saying I agree with Disturbeds philosophy or music being about money or album sales, but I can tell you almost every band wants to "make it" in the music world. Disturbed has done that ten fold.
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Aanchel replied:
September 12th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Okay, I realise that my comparison was ridiculous but I only used such an extreme example because I thought your idea seemed pretty false and ridiculous (no offence). You are basically repeating that you think that the fact that Disturbed are a "HUGE success" because they have sold out tours and have sold many records is the same as saying that they are a force, yet stupid bands (like Fall Out Boy, the Jonas Brothers and other idiotic wimps) who sell millions and millions of records are not? How can you say that it is different for Disturbed just because they are a metal band who have a harder shot at making a success? The fact that so many people buy their albums does not make them a force or a success as musicians. They are a simply a band who keep making a similar sound that people seem to like. I don't think that makes them a force at all. Then again, I don't really understand your idea of a "force" fully. I said that they aren't living up to their potential and your replied saying that they're a "force" and somehow that makes everything better… How?
When you say, "Why would they change a style that sells MILLIONS of albums and sells out tours all over the WORLD?", I cannot see your logic at all. A band that is a "force" (as you say) should be able and comfortable making something a little different and exploring their music more, rather than sticking to the same style. How can they be a force if they aren't even experimental or more interesting? People just know what to expect of them and those who don't want to discover something a little different are happy to continue buying their albums. So what if they've got a ton of fans…? They don't deserve it compared to a lot of better bands, in my opinion.
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Aanchel replied:
September 12th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
In continuation with the first paragraph, I'm really just trying to say that we all know that those pathetic bands given as examples above are clearly not a force or even talented, yet people still like them (for reasons unknown). I'm sure you'll agree. For Disturbed, they are capable of selling out tours too, but it's different in your mind because they are a metal band and it's not as likely, but really, what is the difference? I would never call Fall Out Boy a force because of what they do, so how can I say the same for Disturbed because of the same thing?
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Jen replied:
September 12th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I have to agree with you, Aanchel (sorry jakester). Disturbed sales records because they're popular and have a fan base that listens to them because they've always listened to them. It's comfortable and familiar. They have a formula – just as many hard rock bands of their era (Godsmack, Sevendust, Static-X, Korn, Linkin Park, Staind, etc). Let's be honest, Disturbed is much the same as Nickelback in many respects. You know before you even listen to the album precisely what you're going to get from them. Does that change the fact that people will buy their albums? For the most part, no.
In my opinion, a "force" in music is an influential band. And I don't think you'll be reading in any band's bio that their early influences include Disturbed.
Honestly, it's fine if they have a formula that works and has made them millions (so what?). They'll continue to sell albums to people who like "face value" music; but for those of us who ask for a little more, they'll be easily left behind. They've been an afterthought for me since they released Believe. Draiman's persona on stage killed any semblance of interest I ever had for this band.
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Aanchel replied:
September 12th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I completely agree with you here, Jen. Disturbed are popular but that's just because they have dedicated fans who accept whatever they put out, because it's all so similar. Until they actually try something new and produce something revolutionary which will influence other bands, they are not a force at all.
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jakester0403 replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Im not even a big Disturbed fan. I see both of your points. However Disturbed is popular for a reason whether you like them or not. When a band sells millions of records and sells out tours they are a force in the industry whether you like the music or the band. Disturbed is a very talented band. Just because they dont change their style doesnt take away from their talent and the mark they have already and will continue to leave on the hard rock scene. The reason why I said its different than Fall Out Boy or Nickelback is because they appeal to a much wider audience than Disturbed. Thats a fact. Its harder for bands in Disturbeds genre to become a huge success and the bands that do usually leave their mark. All the bands that Jen listed left a mark on the industry whether you personally like any of them or not. Its just how it is. Look I dont listen to mush mainstream. Hell as I type this im listening to The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza. So trust me when I say that I like diversity in my metal. The fact is that Disturbed has made a mark on the scene. I dont know how you can deny that. I dont like them that much at all. They havent been on my radar hardly at all but that doesnt take away from their success and the mark they have made on hard rock. We all have an opinion. Thats what makes life great for the sake of a healthy argument. Now if you dont mind im going to enjoy my TDTE album. They kick ass!!!!
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jakester0403 replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I would also like to say in proving my point (opinion). In 25 years when Disturbed is done and they have released all of their work I guarantee you they will be talked about, positively or negatively, by the mass musical audience. While a lot of the bands that I listen to and enjoy will not (36 Crazyfists, Chimaira, Mercury Arc, The Acacia Strain, Periphery, Bury Tomorrow, For Today) just to name a few. I listen to 100's of bands. Thats a VERY short list being used for the sake of this opinon. Thats what I mean by a force. Linkin Park, Korn, Sevendust, Limp Bizkit, Static-X, Godsmack, and Staind. All the bands Jen listed helped, along with Disturbed, create a genre that will go down in history as a very influential mark in music history whether you were on board or not. Now a lot of the bands I listen to blow these bands away, both musically and artistically but they wont be remembered like the bands mentioned above over the course of time like the nu-metal wave will be. Thats just how it is whether we like it or not. The nu-metal wave was a force and Disturbed helped with that genre in defining it. As stupid as you think nu-metal is or was thats just how it is. They are all forces who changed music for a brief period of time and will be remembered forever. I listened to nu-metal in the 90's and early 2000's but now I laugh at it. Not that it wasnt or isnt good. Its just that my tastes have changed to much better music, but it doesnt take away from what those bands did or do. They will be remembered for a long time.
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Aanchel replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I think the reason why we disagree is because you seem to feel that Disturbed's success gives them reason to be a "force", where else I do not believe as such because I think they aren't influential in the least. I'm sure the odd band may cite them as being influences, but really, what do they have to offer that is so different and unique that it starts a whole new trend or style in the metal music industry? They are popular – fact. Many people love them – fact. Is their music going to influence many bands to come? – not very much. They are just plain and simple. CURRENTLY, many people love them but popularity has nothing to do with being this "force". Then again, can you PLEASE explain what you mean by this "force"? It seems so ambiguous. A force (to me) is to be a band that is influential and great, but I don't think you see it as such.
"However Disturbed is popular for a reason whether you like them or not. When a band sells millions of records and sells out tours they are a force in the industry whether you like the music or the band. Disturbed is a very talented band. Just because they dont change their style doesnt take away from their talent and the mark they have already and will continue to leave on the hard rock scene."
Again, you are basically saying that Disturbed are a force because they are popular. This is where I strongly disagree. Popularity does not equate to how influential a band is. People just like their music because they know what to expect from it and that's it. The most influential bands always seem to be those who take a risk and create something a little different (to me at least).
See, I think that they are talented but the fact that they stick to the same style is why I came with my original view. They have the potential for more but aren't using it. By sticking to the same ideas, they are simply wasting talent and aren't expanding or developing into the musicians that they can be.
Then again, I think we both need to just agree to disagree. We just don't see Disturbed through the same light and probably never will.
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jakester0403 replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
If you list the top 100 hard rock bands of all time I guarantee you that they were all VERY popular. Yes, selling millions of albums and selling out tours makes you a force whether they are original or stale or influencing millions or nobody (musically). You dont have to influence other bands to be a force or to be original. The idea of a band making music is for themselves and for their fans not for other bands. I dont get that logic. Bands make music for their fans not for other bands. Some of the greatest bands on this planet were not original or firsts. They just mastered an already defined genre. For example, my favorite band of all time is Chimaira. Are they original or genre defining or influential? No, but they are awesome at what they do and they do it better than 95% of whats out there including bands that defined their genre. As far as Disturbed not expanding or developing, im pretty sure they would disagree with you. Lets not forget they have only been around for almost 10 years and they only have 5 albums. Its not like we are talking about a band that has been around for 25 years and has 10-12 albums. Lets put it into perspective. 10 years is not that long. Neither is 5 albums. EVERY band that comes together and forms has the same ideas and dreams. They want to get signed and sell millions of albums and go on worldwide big tours. Yet when bands do get that big a lot of people want to dislike them for such huge success. It makes no sense to me. Why do you think that tours nowadays have to have 6,8,10,12 or more bands on the bill to be successful. Its because none of the bands in music today, which is very saturated by the way, cant sell huge arenas and generate big money alone. However, if you take any one of the bands mentioned above (Disturbed, Korn, Linkin Park, Godsmack, Sevendust etc…) they could pull a tour alone in arenas with little help on the bill and generate money and fans. All of what im saying is what I mean by force. Popularity is a part of that. Also its not like Disturbed is making awful music. Its just always the same formula but its not awful by any means. Is it commercial success? Yes. Is that a bad thing? No. Its just not my type of thing but I recognize it and respect it. Im more of an underground metal guy. But like you said I guess we can agree to diasgree. Hell I cant believe im even trying to argue for Disturbeds sake. Oh well…….
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jakester0403 replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Btw Aanchel, no hard feelings at all. I love the fact that you can be civil and have a good healthy debate for debate sake. I respect that. It seems like with music anymore when you disagree with someone they resort to personal attacks and name-calling. Props for being respectful and cool. What are some of your favorite bands? Just curious who you like to jam out to.
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Aanchel replied:
September 13th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
This whole thing is very opinion-orientated. I guess it's difficult because we both have different ideas on what makes a band great, but that's fine.
I'm glad you didn't lose your civility either, so thanks.
Yeah, no hard feelings too. I'm glad that we actually were able to have a civil debate too. It can be so infuriating when someone disagrees with me and decides that personally attacking me will make them seem better. It can be so idiotic because everyone is entitled to having their own opinions. I love having debates and seeing other people's views, so this was good.
Hmm, I don't really have a favourite band, per se. I guess I'm really loving Stick To Your Guns, Chimaira, A Plea For Purging, August Burns Red, Your Chance to Die and Decrepit Birth at the moment (to name a few bands), but I listen to a ton of other stuff too, like The Beatles and a lot of 60's music. I think it really depends on my mood, but I listen to so much other crap. It's pretty amusing because I always seem to reach my limit on Facebook when I add my music interests :/
Who else do you listen to?
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September 13th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Disturbed is one of the very few HardRock/Metal bands that has managed to create their own sound. When a Disturbed track comes on you automatically know exactly who it is. To accomplish 4 consecutive #1 albums in a row is a feat in itself but to do it while maintaining your own original sound makes the accomplishment that much more special. Sure, Some say they haven't grown but I tend to disagree. The songs themselves have only become more meaningful. From 'Enough' and 'Facade' off of INDESTRUCTIBLE to 'Another way to die' and 'Innocence' off of this one the songs are brilliantly written and have substance which is relevant today. I absolutely love this album and just caught them live once again a week ago at 'UPROAR' and they were great…..I personally hope this band continues to make the records they want to make and not worry about the critics.
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September 14th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Always sorta been a fan of Disturbed even though I like heavier music, and I think they have progressed nicely, I actually loved Indestructible, I was amazed by it and how much I liked it. I think this album follows on in a similar vein, which is fair enough with so little time between this and their last album. Its not groundbreaking, but because they sort of stand alone with this style, I don't see it as being a problem, I like Disturbed because they are a little varation in my collection, I like them just the way they are
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September 14th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Ok guys, without everyone tearing my head off here I would have to disagree with the statement of this album and the last album (indestructible) were anywhere close to nu metal (from MY understanding of what nu metal is). I feel like the MUSIC of this album is the most superior it has ever been. Not saying its the best sound that has come from them, but me being an avid listener of music (of all kinds) I have heard my fair share of "musical quality" in bands that are completely different from the bands "musical talent", and vis versa, which is what I am hearing here. I have got to say, when I started listening to this band, I was listening to bands such as Godsmack, Linkin Park, etc.(like it says up there) and have progressed (what your idea of "progressed is, is up to you) to bands like Trivium, Dream Theater, Nevermore, (more Technical styles pretty much due to my musical career/ background). Over that duration of Inner-metal-Genre changes over the years I have heard many different types of band and styles! I feel like Music wise, Asylum was nowhere in the realm of Trivium mind you, but from my knowledge of Nu Metal, its not in the realm of Korn, Limp Bizkit, the non experimental stuff from Static-X, or many of the TRUE Nu metal bands that I have heard.(once again what MY idea of Nu Metal is). (ALSO!!!!! SLIPKNOT WAS NEVER NU METAL!)
NOWWWW!
with that said,
Adam, I loved the way you worded this review, better than most I think!
I have read a few of your others and found that for the most part you are dead on with what I feel about the music as well!
Thanks guys for reading this!
Tim
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September 22nd, 2010 at 9:39 am
This album is a hard-rock masterpiece. They have matured musically and lyrically with every release. Of course, there are some that don't think so, but you have to go beyond listening to one song per album to know that. This is a good review, and I especially like how the reviewer is into extreme metal, and gave this a shot. Many people from the same background won't, and yet still bash it. No, they're not extreme, they're hard-rock. Lyrics you can feel, melodies that flow, and gutiar riffs that groove and pound at the same time. They don't write the same album twice. Disturbed has indeed created their own sound, stuck with it (unlike most bands from the early 2000's, like Godsmack or Linkin Park) and they improve each time. In my opinion, they're not "Nu-Metal," and the closest they ever were was "The Sickness." Think early Papa Roach and Limp Bizkit for "Nu-Metal." (I agree that Slipknot was never nu-metal either) Disturbed is too heavy, and not simple enough for Nu-metal. They are definitely hard-rock, and the absolute superior in any modern rock or metal. Great album from the best band in hard-rock. Disturbed is true to their music, their lyrics, to metal and to their fans. Their music is amazing, as is their live show. Asylum shows maturation, and how insanely talented every one of the band members are. They are the best!
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September 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
Also to add, Disturbed is the most influencial band out the today! The military, for example, uses their music to get pumped up. Many others use certain songs to relate feelings to. Disturbed puts something new out everytime! The basic formla is the same, but so is every other band's. Metallica's "Master of Puppets" and "And Justice For All" were epic, but they followed the same formula. Today, bands like Shadows Fall or Chimaira all follow the same formula, and all of their albums sound the same. Disturbed has a formula, but they manage to keep all of their material sounding new. Their fans are loyal, no doubt, but it's not out of ignorance. Disturbed changes things up on every release, for example, gutiar solos didn't start until the third album (They were around before Disturbed got big, though), they have some insane vocal harmonies now, and the lyrics are as epic as ever. From the corrput justice system to personal losses, to fight songs. Disturbed always writes influencal music, and many of today's brand-new bands cite them as influences (My band was influenced by them, though we're not big at all, just an example.) Nobody sounds like them. Their sound is infulencial, as are their lyrics. Disturbed can't be duplicated because their sound is so original and amazing. Disturbed is by far the best modern metal band.
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jakester0403 replied:
September 24th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
I have to disagree with just one thing you said. Chimairas albums sound nothing alike from one album to the next. If you listen to their newest album (The Infection) and go back and listen to their first (Pass Out of Existence), it sounds like a different band entirely. Even if you go back to their self-titled or Resurrection or The Impossibility of Reason they all sound different. I have to come to their defense because not only are they my favorite band but they are one of the best in metal today. They change and evolve from one album to the next. I have never heard anyone saying that Chimairas albums all sound the same. Im not sure if you know much about Chimaira if your making comments like that. Also this is not an argument about who is better between Chimaira and Disturbed as they are totally different. Chimaira is a million times heavier than Disturbed. Disturbed is hard rock and Chimaira is metal with a tinge of industrial. I will have to say though that if you ask people in music right now who they respect more between the two bands I think you might be a little surprised at the responses regardless of album sales and mainstream popularity. Chimairas music is a little more diverse than Disturbeds. Although Chimaira did tour with Disturbed for a minute which I thought was weird considering how much heavier Chimaira is. Fuck it lets take a poll. If people read this who do you think is a better band Chimaira or Disturbed. I will go with Chimaira obviously. Anyone else?
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September 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 am
How do you explain all of Disturbed's songs sounding too similar? How does "Prayer" sound anything like "Down With The Sickness," or "The Infection" sound anything like "Droppin' Plates"? Yes, it's the same lead singer……is that it? That's what I don't understand. People will listen to Bloodsimple, Chimaira or Hatebreed all day, and you can't tell any of their songs apart, even from band to band. Disturbed's sound is iconic, and every song can be told apart from a previous one. They always try new things with their sound, whether it's obvious or subtle, and they make their sound better with every release. With Asylum, they mixed melody with pounding riffs, while experimenting with their sound. It's an epic album, and Disturbed are a fantastic band!
Sorry for taking up 3 posts, I'm just an obvious Disturbed fan. I do listen to bands like Shadows Fall, Fear Factory and Meshuggah, just so everyone doesn't think I'm only into mainstream, and Slipknot is my second favorite to Disturbed. Thanks for reading.
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September 22nd, 2010 at 11:13 am
i like this band and all their albums. they are just solid and consistent every time. i half expected this album to go soft and commercial but it didn't, it rocks.
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September 23rd, 2010 at 4:52 am
I like this album a lot, it grew on me fast when the first listen through didn't sell me because overall it's not as fast as Indestructible. I still enjoy it though and you know it's Disturbed, and it sounds like Disturbed.
I hate the notion and mindset that if it's mainstream then it's auto-bad. Does everyone jump to this conclusion? No. Does it seem like it when a lot of comments are basically "Mainstream crap" and things such as that on various websites? Yes. So if it wasn't mainstream the band in question would be awesome right? Do I think there's bad mainstream bands? Of course. But just because your are doesn't automatically mean the band MUST HAVE DEFINITELY sold out just because you don't like them.
Disturbed has managed to stay the same for 10 years, and it's worked for 10 years, and for the most part they keep the fans they have and even pick up some new ones. They have their sound and craft down and they're good at it. And I do kind of have to agree with MST3K, there are plenty of metal bands where you can't even tell the damn difference between them unless you actually know the song or whatever. I've heard 2-3 songs back to back from 2-3 different bands and if I hadn't known that I was listening to a different band I wouldn't have known at all they were different.
Most people would even agree with this considering a lot of reviews on here within the first 2 or last 2 paragraphs mention the word generic or talk about how they don't bring anything new. So we all know what it's like to hear something that sounds the same. Yes David has a distinct voice, when he sings you know it's him even if you don't know the song perhaps, you know its Disturbed. Basically I'm trying to say that very few songs actually sound anywhere a like, they are all different in at least some way.
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January 25th, 2011 at 8:50 am
I LOVE DISTURBED! YOU ARE THE BEST! WOOOOOO “THE INFECTION MUST DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
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DISTURBED 100% X2 replied:
January 25th, 2011 at 8:50 am
FUCK YEA MAN I AGREE!
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January 25th, 2011 at 8:53 am
fish cake man is IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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April 8th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
"I’ll admit that I didn’t give Ten Thousand Fists and Indestructible a second glance."
You should have… Both Ten Thousand Fists and Indestructible are two of Disturbed's best albums.
"There’s even a few solos here!"
Well, half of the songs on Ten Thousand Fists have solos (Forgiven, Land of Confusion, Stricken, and Overburdened,) and almost all the songs on Indestructible have solos as well (Indestructible, Inside The Fire, The Night [One of Disturbed's best solos EVER], Perfect Insanity, The Curse, Torn, Divide, and Facade)
With that being said, love your review. \m/
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September 20th, 2011 at 5:57 am
I may gain some haters but Disturbed are cock rock mainstream radio arse snot.
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April 6th, 2012 at 11:36 am
A 4.0 for Disturbed? Wow, shocking.
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