Music Review: Disturbed - Believe
Published June 01, 2007
I first heard David Dramian sing in 2002, and instantly fell in love with his voice. I'd bought the "Queen Of The Damned" soundtrack, and from the beginning was hooked on "Forsaken" and "Down With The Sickness". Although I loved those two songs, I wasn't quite prepared to venture out and get one of Disturbed's albums, in the fear of bitter disappointment. That was until recently; after friends of mine insisted I would love it, I succumbed and bought 10,000 Fists. I played the album nonstop for about a week before deciding to seek out more Disturbed. That led me to Believe
What is it about David Draiman's voice that I love so much? There is a unique quality about it, in which you would expect the music to be much heavier than alt-metal, but in discovering it isn’t, there is no feeling of disappointment. Draiman also has this ability to sing aggressively, and then just as quickly switch to singing softly. In some Metal vocalists it is a move that can not be pulled off successfully, but Draiman does it perfectly. This time around there are none of the 'jungle noises' that he made on their first album. His voice is less aggressive, and there is a calmness and mellowness, which may come from the fact Draiman's constant gutteral singing caused him to injure his vocal chords.
While Disturbed's music tends to be mixed with messages of nonconformity, self-empowerment and individuality, it also contains rage, disgust, menace and passion. This time around there is also a spiritual and religious theme to the album. The album cover is a combination of different religious symbols including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The cover art depicts a Star of David, a Pentagram, a Crescent Moon, and a Cross all superimposed on each other.
Believe is a lot softer and melodic than their debut album, but that may come from the effects that were 9/11. An indication of this come from the song "Liberate", which is about the war in the Middle East. "Prayer", is without a doubt one of the best tracks on the album. It was also one of their most successful. Inspired by the death of Draiman's grandfather, the song is supposedly a conversaton between Draiman and God.
Fans of Disturbed may find this album a little too mellow, and there is "No Down With The Sickness", on the album. They seem to have lost their darkness, but there is still much angst, and Draiman’s voice is as haunting as ever.
It's not a path fans expected Disturbed to go down - without the hardcore agression or growling vocals, but it's not a bad thing. The band is growing. Instead of sticking to the same style of music, they are experimenting with acoustic guitars and emotional vocals.
It's a move that works well for the band.
Tracks not to miss: "Liberate", "Prayer", and "Rise"
- Music Review: Disturbed - Believe
- Published: June 01, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Metal, Music: Hard Rock, Review
- Writer: Janine Macdonald
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Comments on this articleComments
I agree with your sentiment. I don't just listen to Nu Metal, and in honesty prefer the talents of band such as Iced Earth and Iron Maiden, who have stronger talents.
I also don't consider the technique or mellow style to be groundbreaking, as that tends to be what Nu Metal is.
I see Disturbed as a band that can go forward, and learn from their mistake or as you said be stuck in the same style formula.
It'll be interesting to see which form they do decide to go with, as they grow.
Honestly, I feel they have the talent to do bigger & better things,I cannot knock them as musicians. Draiman has a good voice when he is not trying to growl & at times I have heard Iced Earth type range.
I guess I just don't like that whole Nu-Metal sound:Washburn or Ibanez guitars,Pearl Drums, way too slick production with constant Down tuned powerchords. AND..They didn't win me over by ruining a classic that I have loved since I was younger(Land of Confusion - Genesis)
Actually, there is one "Nu-Metal" band that has kept my interest but I think they have used that lunkhead sound to their advantage. The band is Sikth...Pretty good.
Disturbed rocks. They are currently recording their 4th album and I can't wait! Without bands such as Disturbed (hard rock that actually gets radio air time), hard rock and metal wouldn't even be close to as popular as it is. Disturbed was one of the bands in the last 90's that brought hard rock back into mainstream after a almost decade of absence, whether you like their music or not, you have to respect that.
disturbed is a amazing band they have a great mix of metal and rock unfortunitally 98% of teens listen to rap or as i call it retards attempting poetry lol but Seriously im not sure wat is so good about it ITS CRAP my favorit songs r ther game down with the sickness Decadence Overburdened enemy deify Stricken Sons Of Plunder
You have the hottest voice in all your song I know.
You are the HOTTEST GUY I know.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/64604)
"Draiman also has this ability to sing aggressively, and then just as quickly switch to singing softly.[For]some Metal vocalists it is a move that can not be pulled off successfully, but Draiman does it perfectly."
I think it is real easy for people to feel this way when they are limited to the "Nu/Power Metal" that Mainstream America proclaims to be aggressive & amazing. But, what you find underneath all that in bands like Opeth,Iced Earth,S.Y.L.,God Forbid(Yes,I'll even include Sevendust)& many more is that these singers have been combining this technique for years & have a wider range. Just the mere fact that Disturbed hasn't been around as long and the singer has had vocal damage, shows their amateur status.
All in all, Disturbed can be a pretty catchy band but I find them to be limiting themselves by sticking to a formula that sells. Releasing an album that has a mellow direction isn't that unheard of for many metal bands and just because Disturbed chose to release one shouldn't be considered groundbreaking news...
That's all from your Resident Metalhead!!
Up The F*cking Irons!!