It has been five years since the release of Disturbed’s last studio album “Asylum,” yet this hiatus did not rust up this Chicago-native band one bit. “Immortalized” proves that Disturbed fans are still going strong, with this album snagging the number-one spot on Billboard’s top 200, their fifth album to do so. The only other bands to achieve this feat are the Dave Matthews Band and Metallica. Accomplishing something that these two power-house bands have achieved is a sign of veteran band that has built and maintained a devoted following.
“Immortalized” beats a familiar aesthetic path which, for some critics, is the main fault of the album; however, Disturbed is not a band you look to for innovation. The core of their aesthetic marries an aggressive, unapologetic sound with David Draiman’s melodiously gritty voice. There are some gems that show the best qualities of Disturbed’s unchanging approach. “The Light,”“Who,” “Save Your Last Goodbye” and “Open Your Eyes” display Draiman’s immense vocal range as well as Dan Donegan’s skill as an informally trained guitarist.
Although their sound may not have changed, there are signs of a more mature Disturbed. The tone of this album is softer, reflecting the fact that all four members are now fathers. Their cover of Simon and Garfunkel’ s “The Sound of Silence” best illustrates this, as the band steps outside of their usual approach with a powerful symphonic arrangement that definitely does the original justice.
“Immortalized” is both an ode to Disturbed’s nearly two-decade-long career and a celebration of a genre that within the past decade has not been much given mainstream recognition (I’m looking at you, VMAs). “Immortalized” is a tribute to the aesthetic of this band and the metal genre, its aggression, complexity, political consciousness, and most importantly, its ability to dominate.
