Thursday, March 14, 2019

Feeling a Bit Disturbed

Alicia JosephMarch 14, 2019Uncategorized, Strengthsuicide, suicide prevention, rock bands, Disturbed, rock, heavy metal, nu metal, a reason to fight, watch you burn, rock concert, rock band, heavy metal band, The Light

Last Friday I saw the band Disturbed play at a venue near me, and I won’t soon forget the experience. The concert was powerful, and it was emotional. I’ve never been to a rock concert where so many people cried, or were trying not to cry.

Disturbed is a heavy metal/nu metal band, and they’ve written songs that center around suicide. One of the videos to these songs depicts a woman who hangs herself. The video is graphic and it comes with a PSA from the lead singer, David Draiman, pleading with people who are thinking about taking their own lives to seek help and to know there is another way. The National Suicide Helpline is displayed in the video, just as it was displayed on the big screen during the concert.

Draiman spoke very eloquently and deeply to the audience. This is a man, and band, who create a deep connection with their fans. They refer to the crowd as their family, their blood.

In the middle of the set, the band moved from the main stage to a smaller stage in the center of the floor to be more intimate with the crowd. Draiman called for the house lights to come up and he asked for anyone who has dealt with substance addiction or depression, or knows someone who has, to raise their hands. With the lights on, I could see clearly throughout the venue, and more people than not had their hands raised. Draiman then asked for everyone to look around and see that they aren’t alone.

Powerful moment right there.

This is when the band sang their inspiring songs about defeating one’s thoughts of suicide. The house lights stayed on, making the moment all the more sober. A mother and son sitting beside me embraced while they cried. Tears gushed from the woman’s eyes and down her face. Through cries they battled through the songs. A man beside the woman caressed her shoulders.

A few minutes later, she passed by me. I was sure the moment was too much for her. She needed a break. When she came back, I thought of giving her a quick hug, but I didn’t know her and she didn’t know me, and maybe that would have been unwanted by her.

While the songs played I looked around me. The woman and son weren’t the only ones crying. There were many tearful eyes about me. So many strong-looking men stood with their arms crossed over their chest and stoic expressions on their faces and tears in their eyes. It was all so much I almost cried myself but held it back. The pain being suffered around me was palpable.

Before the show, at the meet and greet, a fan had given the band a letter. The lead singer called this fan to the stage and asked for his permission to read the letter aloud. The shocked young man stepped onto the stage and nodded to Draiman his consent. The letter explain that this man had attempted four times to take his own life and was going to do it again until he heard the song “The Light” by Disturbed. The man stayed on stage as the band played the song marking one of the most powerful and emotional moments I’ve ever witnessed at a concert.

Disturbed, like other rock bands I’ve recently seen play, were very inclusive in their message. Draiman preached tolerance of all people, of all races and religions, and he even included gays and transsexuals, which I appreciated very much. Everyone around me cheered this message. I didn’t hear any jeers or sneers.

The band ended the show with the lead singer telling everyone to take care of themselves and to take care of each other.

I went to bed that night feeling so empowered and appreciating my life. If you ever get the chance to see this band play live, please do. It’s an experience like no other.

Below is a clip of the man Draiman called onto stage.

While the band played “A Reason to Fight” the mother and son beside me cried together.

A strong message of suicide preceded the song “Watch You Burn.”

*I don’t own the top picture of Disturbed.

Sunday, March 10, 2019

5 reasons to see Disturbed live

By: Tracy Heck AXS Contributor Mar 7, 2019 3 days ago

199199165417616y2019m03d07

Disturbed — YouTube

Chicago multi-platinum selling metal band Disturbed brought their Evolution Tour to Detroit at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday, Mar. 5. After a solid hour-long performance from Canadian rock band Three Days Grace, Disturbed took to the stage for an explosive two-hour performance with plenty of noise, pyro and meaningful moments.

The tour comes on the heels of their late 2018 release Evolution. Their seventh studio album lives up to the name, finding the band exploring new areas with an album filled with acoustic-oriented tracks mixed in with their signature metal sound. The experimentation was inspired by the success of their take on the Simon and Garfunkel classic pop track "Sound of Silence." The album also finds the band taking on a number of important topics including war, addiction, government and technology.

The Evolution Tour helps bring together their heartfelt message and highlight their new tracks while also staying true to their fan base and treating them to a set filled with all of their biggest hits. Here are five reasons to get out and check out Disturbed the next time they come through your town.

1. Perfect balance of old and new with a dose of both hard-hitting tracks and emotion-filled ones
Veterans of the stage, Disturbed continues to put together shows that both captivate, entertain and educate their audiences. After 19 years, the band has a vast catalog to draw from and they continuously manage to please everyone in the crowd, balancing their old hits and new ones in such a way that they flow together seamlessly. Tuesday's show did just that, kicking things off with the fiery new track "Are You Ready" and ending with their signature "Down With the Sickness."

Along the way, they pulled out heavy hitters "Prayer," "Stupify," "Ten Thousand Fists" and "Stricken," which sat alongside newer singles "No More," "Hold On to Memories," "Watch You Burn" and "A Reason to Fight." They also managed to work in their frenetic cover of Genesis' "Land of Confusion" and their popular powerful take on "Sound of Silence."

2. Sophisticated staging
Their veteran status also affords them a unique insight into what makes a true rock show work. Over the years, their shows have grown larger and more elaborate and they used all of that knowledge to full effect at Tuesday's 2-hour, 19 song set. They kicked things off with a video package built around their popular "music as a weapon" slogan. Fire was a major component of the set as flames shot up across the stage, fell from the ceiling and came out of the piano during "Sound of Silence."

The band both whipped up the mosh pits and had the crowd swaying as they made their way to a second smaller candlelit stage in the center of the crowd where they slowed things down. The tightness of the band as they moved around the tri-level stage was also important as vocalist David Draiman took a step back at times to allow the spotlight to show on the talented musicians behind him as guitarist Dan Donegan shredded at the edge of the stage, bassist John Moyerleapedt around, inspired by his furious playing and drummer Mike Wrengren, perched on his high rise, oversaw it all as his sticks flew across his kit.

3. David Draiman's commanding presence
Disturbed popularity and longevity is largely due to their frontman's intensity and engaging personality. Draiman's versatile, powerful voice stands out and commands attention. He smoothly moves from shouts, screams and his own unique growls to the softer ballads effortlessly. He connects with the audience on a deeper level and Tuesday's show found him addressing the crowd throughout, including harkening back to that message of "music as a weapon."

Throughout the evening, vocalist David Draiman kicked back to the idea as he lamented those lost to addiction and depression including most recently The Prodigy's Keith Flint. He had those in the arena raise their hands if they had dealt with or have known someone who had dealt with either or both and the vast amount of those hands raised were a sharp reminder of how universal the problem is. Later, he invited some kids from the audience and their family onstage to watch a song perched below Wrengren, taking selfies with them and declaring them the next generation of Disturbed fans. Draiman also took to the crowd at one point, shaking hands along the way.

4. A strong message
Over the years, Disturbed has moved more and more towards being a commentary on the world around them and their latest album particularly follows this trend. Their "music as a weapon" campaign places a powerful eye on addiction and depression. Their shows are a beam of hope in a uncertain world and Draiman addressed the topics throughout the show.

Early on in the set, he turned the spotlight on the crowd and stated that although the news and society wants you to believe that we as a people are more separated than ever, the fact that so many different types of people were packed in enjoying the music together was a sign that things aren't so bad. Those attending a Disturbed show are consistently reminded that they are appreciated and that they have the power to help change the world around them.

5. A sense of community
It is that connection that Draiman shares with his audience and the message the band conveys that gives their fans a sense of importance. They are treated like family with Draiman deeming them his "brothers and sisters" and continuously thanking them for their support. It is that sense of community that keeps the fans coming back and spending their hard-earned money on their shows and their music.

For more information and Disturbed and to purchase tickets, check out here.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Disturbed David Draiman Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, March 4 2019

DisturbedScotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, March 4

By Max Morin

Published Mar 05, 2019

"When the music is a weapon, we must evolve."

So said the action-packed trailer that preceded Disturbed's Monday night concert at Scotiabank Arena, and Disturbed certainly have evolved recently. October's Evolution was ballad-saturated and ended an unprecedented run of chart-topping albums. You'd never notice this at first, because opener "Are You Ready" is one of the heaviest songs in the band's catalogue.

Disturbed have always been one of hard rock's unlikeliest success stories. Despite having six #1 albums, it's amazing how many people still refer to them as a one-hit band. Disturbed dispelled that notion right away by serving up cuts from throughout their two-decade career. "The Vengeful One" hit particularly hard, as did "Stupify" and "Voices," performed gloriously back-to-back.

A gigantic LED screen dominated the stage setup. Along with fire jets and a drum kit that could easily be rented out as an Airbnb, it looked like every rock kid's dream. Disturbed, it seems, don't do small.

An early highlight of the show was an extended guitar break by Dan Donegan. He's always been an underrated player, but here, draped in blue and purple light, he let his instrument overtake him. It was the first "rock god" moment in a night packed with them. Others included the fiery bug-paper from "Inside the Fire," John Moyer's tasty bass solo, multiple audience glow-ups during "The Light" and mega-single "The Sounds of Silence" being played on a flaming piano as fireworks streamed from the sky. There are few sights in the world more metal then that.

But even rock'n'roll has its limits. Fireworks and guitar solos are rock'n'roll. Even power ballads can be inspiring. Smarmy acoustic songs that come with high school graduation-type montage videos definitely are not. "Hold On to the Memories" felt like an unnecessary addition and another sign of Disturbed's (um) disturbing trend toward a U2-inspired sound.

Fortunately, it was this change that led to the night's most memorable moment. Surrounded by candles on the island stage, David Draiman broke form to deliver an impassioned speech about suicide, depression, addiction and helping those struggling with mental illness. With genuine tears in his eyes, Draiman dedicated "A Reason to Fight" and "Watch You Burn" to the Prodigy's Keith Flint, who, it was revealed earlier that day, had died by suicide.

"Who here has suffered from depression or mental illness?" asked Draiman, to an army of raised hands, "You see, my friends? You are not alone."

Of course, a Disturbed concert cannot be over until that song is played. "Down With the Sickness" is one of heavy music's unquestionable classics, capable of producing joyous shrieks from millennial metalheads worldwide. But tonight, it seemed almost like a pleasant afterthought. Disturbed have reached the point where they can be a world-class act even without their signature song. This is as it should be. There are so many more areas where one can evolve.

Disturbed - David Draiman brought ‘Evolution’ to Madison Square Garden w/ Three Days Grace

At the wake of anyone’s career, it’s always unpredictable where it will lead. With that said, when nu metal and alternative metal subgenres emerged back in the nineties and early 00s, it was difficult to understand both subgenres as well as predict how big these groups would become. However, it was a successful movement as we’ve seen many acts such as Slipknot, Sevendust, KoRn, Machine Head, etc. unfold. Then you have the Chicago nu-metal outfit, Disturbed. The group has consistently remained unique, which has everything to do with frontman David Draiman’s distinct vocals. When their debut album 2000’s The Sickness was released, everyone heard their hit song “Down With The Sickness.” At that time, Draiman’s voice seemed questionable for two reasons: people either instantly loved it or judged because it was an unfamiliar territory to the point that listeners wondered if the song was going to be a one-hit wonder such as many bands had back then. During the same year, Disturbed teamed up with Kittie for a North American tour as it was a struggle for them to sell-out venues the size of Irving Plaza. As the group’s career continued to blossom releasing hit albums (2002’s Believe, 2005’s Ten Thousand Fists, 2008’s Indestructible, and 2010’s Asylum), they eventually decided to close their doors.

Five years later in 2015, the band made a grand return with Immortalized. After a near five years of silence, there was an extensive amount of pressure from that album as they more or less returned from the dead. Luckily, with songs such as “The Light,” “The Vengeful One” and the Simon & Garfunkel cover of “The Sound of Silence,” Disturbed flourished as they packed out venues the size of Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater. At that point, how much more could one band expand? Well, after the release of 2018’s Evolution, Disturbed booked their first-ever show at Madison Square Garden on February 25th, 2019 and Metal Insider’s contributing photographer, Mathieu Bredeau, was there to capture the historic evening, twenty years in the making.

Three Days Grace

Canadian hard rockers Three Days Grace opened the momentous Monday event as they put on an incredible performance of their own. Many had questioned the group’s future when Adam Gontier left (now part of Saint Asonia) as Matt Walst replaced him in 2013. However, the band has released two albums since including 2015’s Human and their latest effort, 2018’s Outsider. Despite the significant lineup change, Walst has more than proven his position as the band’s frontman as he engaged the packed Madison Square Garden crowd by performing songs throughout the group’s career including “The Mountain,” “Home,” “The Good Life,” “Pain,” “Infra-Red,” “Painkiller,” “Break,” “Right Left Wrong,” “I Hate Everything About You,” “Animal I Have Become,” “Never Too Late,” and “Riot.” With the amped energy the band had as well as a decent stage production, it was just a small taste of what the rest of the night had in store.

Disturbed

After a short break, a dramatic video appeared as it eventually introduced Disturbed’s latest album Evolution. One could have also interpreted it as how much the band has evolved in two decades. Shortly after the video, as fans raised their phones, fists, horns, the group walked on stage and jumped into “Are You Ready.” One could say the packed audience fueled the band’s vitality as they carried out a vibrant and memorable set that included more pyro than their last major tour. Draiman and co. continued to surprise the packed New York crowd as they went into songs such as “Prayer,” “The Vengeful One,” and “The Animal.” The audience had a diverse age range but, that didn’t stop them from singing tunes throughout their entire catalog.

Finally, it was time for the band to go into their early hits with “Stupify, and “Voices,” which also included an entertaining jam led by Dan Donegan. As the night continued to persist with the Genesis cover of “Land of Confusion” and Hold On To Memories,” another jam occurred as bassist John Moyer embarked in a solo followed by drummer Mike Wengre’s solo behind the kit.

The group entered the halfway mark as they powered through classic songs “Ten Thousand Fists” and “The Game.” However, the night moved towards an emotional shift as they performed a small acoustic set on the side stage including “A Reason to Fight” and “Watch You Burn.” During this time, Draiman made an emotional speech on suicide and addiction as he brought up significant losses such as Chester Bennington, Chris Cornell, and Scott Weiland. Shortly after the heartwarming speech, the group went back to the main stage to perform “The Sound of Silence.” Disturbed managed to surprise the crowd once again as pyro erupted out of the piano. However, there was much more pyro as the band moved into “Indestructible” and “Inside The Fire.”

As the night was approaching an end, the band returned for an encore set as fans were invited on stage with them during the song “The Light.” The evening concluded by combining their debut record with their latest effort, closing the night with “Stricken,” “No More,” and the song that started it all, “Down With the Sickness.”

Simply put, the evening was remarkable as the group also had their family attend. For those who have followed Disturbed from the very beginning towards wondering if they would return from their brief hiatus, it’s impressive to see how much the band has Evolved and Immortalized into their own song and album titles as they have proven to be Indestructible.