David Draiman Doesn't Understand Why Disturbed Gets Lumped Into Nu-Metal: 'We Never Rap' "All of the elements that are parts of being a nu metal band were never part of what we did," the singer says.

David Draiman Doesn't Understand Why Disturbed Gets Lumped Into Nu-Metal: 'We Never Rap'

"All of the elements that are parts of being a nu metal band were never part of what we did," the singer says.

Posted Jan 28, 2019 04:45 PM

During a conversation with Music Connection, Disturbed vocalist David Draiman said he doesn't understand why people keep putting the nu-metal label on his band.

You can check out a part of the interview below.

You've been tagged as nu metal, which you've rejected. Why do people want to put people into camps?

"I think it makes them comfortable. It helps them know how to identify what it is they're being exposed to.

"The nu-metal thing I never got because we never rap, we've never had a turntable. All of the elements that are parts of being a nu metal band were never part of what we did. But we came up at the same time as those guys were enjoying a tremendous amount of success so we got slapped with that label.

"If we had come up during the time Maiden and Priest were dominating things in the mid-'80s, I don't think there would be any question how we would be identified.

"At this point, I don't know that the label is all that important, but I know that there are plenty of bands - whether they're rock, hard rock or metal - that explore new territory. This was a change of direction that felt so gratifying.

"We went with it and ended up producing material that is, in our opinion, some of the best stuff we've ever written. That's all you can try to do."

How do you achieve the control that allows you to shift your voice? Are there exercises that help you do that?

"There are. It's really about having the right breath support. Putting a bit of distortion, a bit of grit, on the vocal, making it a bit more agro, doing that while maintaining melody is a very difficult technique.

"Melissa Cross is my vocal coach. She's the best in the business, particularly at rock and metal vocal delivery in terms of utilizing that distorted vocal sound. It's much easier to do something monotone and be aggressive with it.

"To do a metalcore tonality is easier to replicate consistently than to add distortion to a melodic vocal, because carrying a melody requires control. If you're already trying to affect your control or that melody by distorting it, it becomes a much more finesse-oriented, specialized sort of discipline."

Do you have a regular vocal regimen?

"Oh yeah. It's a daily thing. It's very easy to fall into bad habits. Just one push without the proper support starts the inflammation. All it takes is one and you're compromised. All of a sudden, you're sore when you don't need to be.

"And, if you keep those bad habits going, over time you get into serious trouble. It's a tightrope all of us vocalists have to walk."

You've stopped speaking out as vocally as you had before on social media. What's your advice to artists who want to remain politically active but don't want to alienate fans?

"It's impossible. You're going to end up alienating somebody no matter what you do. It's impossible to utilize your right to free speech in the way you truly deserve and not suffer repercussions on any level. So your best bet, to be honest, is to simply not engage in it. Be something that sets people free from that, not throws them back into it.

"Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of great rallying cries and protest songs. We write them ourselves. But it's one thing to write about a subject matter you're passionate about as an artist and another thing after you've put the microphone down and then pick it back up and start preaching from a podium.

"If you're willing to do that, more power to you. Just know there are going to be consequences. It's simply something I'm no longer willing to engage in on any level."

You can check out Disturbed's latest album "Evolution" below.

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