The band has released six studio albums, five of which have consecutively debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Disturbed went into hiatus in October 2011, during which the band's members focused on various side projects, and returned in June 2015, releasing their first album in four years, Immortalized, on August 21, 2015. They also recorded and released one live album, Disturbed: Live at Red Rocks on November 18, 2016, which was recorded on August 18, 2016 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado, located about 10 miles west of Denver, Colorado. Their seventh studio album, Evolution, was released on October 19, 2018.
Before David Draiman joined Disturbed, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak were in a band called Brawl with vocalist Erich Awalt. Before changing their name to "Brawl", however, Donegan mentioned in the band's DVD, Decade of Disturbed, that the name was originally going to be "Crawl"; they switched it to "Brawl", due to the name already being used by another band. Awalt left the band shortly after the recording of a demo tape; the other three members advertised for a singer. They posted an advertisement in the local music publication in Chicago, Illinois, called the "Illinois Entertainer". Draiman answered the advertisement after going to twenty other auditions that month. Guitarist Dan Donegan commented on Draiman: "You know, out of all the singers that we had talked to or auditioned, he [Draiman] was the only singer who was ready to go with originals. And that impressed me, just to attempt that".
With regard to Draiman being the singer for the band, Donegan said, "After a minute or two, he just starts banging out these melodies that were huge...I'm playing my guitar and I'm grinning from ear to ear, trying not to give it away that I like this guy, you know, because I don't want to, you know...[say] 'Yeah, we'll give you a call back. We'll, you know, discuss it.' But I was so psyched. Chill up my spine. I'm like, 'There is something here.'" As drummer Mike Wengren commented, "We clicked right off the bat." Draiman then joined the band in 1996 and the band was renamed Disturbed. When asked in an interview why he suggested to name the band "Disturbed," Draiman said, "It had been a name I have been contemplating for a band for years. It just seems to symbolize everything we were feeling at the time. The level of conformity that people are forced into was disturbing to us and we were just trying to push the envelope and the name just sorta made sense.
Disturbed headlined the 2018 Rock Fest, along with Godsmack and Incubus. The band announced via social media in early January of 2018 that they had entered the studio to begin recording their next studio album. In June 2018 lead guitarist Dan Donegan and bassist John Moyer confirmed with sources that the new album is complete, with 100% of the songs finished it is on to just mixing and mastering. Band members also posted a picture via Instagram together at a dinner party in celebration of completion of the recording process. The band's first album in over 3 years and the band’s first album in over 8 years to have bassist John Moyer being involved in.
The album, Evolution was released on October 19, 2018. On August 16, 2018, the lead single, titled "Are You Ready" was released. On September 21, 2018, the album's second single, titled "A Reason to Fight" was released.
Disturbed's mascot, named "The Guy", was originally just a drawing of a face with a large grin, as seen on the back of the album The Sickness. The original drawing of The Guy was then edited using a digital distorting program. After the original image had been distorted three times The Guy became the official mascot for the band. Later, he would be drawn as a full figure by artist David Finch.
Classified as a heavy metal or hard rock band, Disturbed is also regarded by some critics as nu metal and alternative metal. When asked about die-hard heavy metal fans not finding Disturbed heavy enough, Draiman at one time stated:
"We probably have too much melody going on or we're not quite as turbulent or caustic. While I really love that type of music, it's not what we try to do. If we have to place things in context, we're more hard rock than heavy metal these days. The secret is that we were never really part of any particular trend, although we definitely benefited from the popularity of what was called nu metal at the time ... We never had the stereotypical attributes that those bands had. We don’t rap; there’s no turntable involved; no fusion in that respect. We play, in my opinion, classic metal. Sabbath, Maiden, Priest, Metallica, Pantera: these are the bands that made us want to play."
They have often cited their influences as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Metallica, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Queensryche, Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden.
Guitarist Dan Donegan uses guitar tunings Drop C, Drop C# and Drop B (also occasionally Eb), which are lower tunings than regular E standard. These lower tunings allow for a heavier sound and quicker chord changes in Donegan's riffs. Donegan also uses subtle electronic effects, which the rest of the band refers to as "The Danny Donegan Orchestra".
Avarice
Disturbed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All one in the same
Satan hides behind a different name
Take these chains away
Free my hands from bondage
Can't explain a way
Avarice will kill you in time
Violent upheaval
Cities drenched in flame
Wickedness we know we can contain
Take these chains away
Free my hands from bondage
Can't explain a way
Avarice will kill you in time
How the willing murder now
See what we are becoming
An onyx veil that filters out the light
I'll savor this anger
My hate makes me stronger
Free my hands from bondage
Take these chains away
Running from destruction
Avarice will kill you in time
The lyrics of Disturbed's song Avarice reflect the band's views on the evils of politics and how it is intertwined with the concept of greed or avarice. The song suggests that politics and the pursuit of power often lead to corruption and self-interest, and that Satan is behind this manipulation, hiding behind different names in order to conceal his true intentions.
The first verse highlights the link between politics and evil, implying that one cannot exist without the other. The word "chains" in the chorus represents the bondage of greed and the need to be freed from it. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of breaking free from this cycle in order to avoid the inevitable consequences.
The second verse uses motifs of violence and destruction to express the dangers of avarice, and the sense of hopelessness that comes with it. The lyrics suggest that although we may think we can contain wickedness, ultimately, it will consume us. The phrase "an onyx veil that filters out the light" portrays the darkness and negativity that is associated with greed and how it can affect individuals and society as a whole.
The bridge and final chorus serve as a call to action, urging listeners to break free from the chains of greed and seek a better path. The singer acknowledges the power of their own anger and hate, but also recognizes the need for change and the importance of running from destruction.
Overall, the lyrics of Avarice suggest a warning against the dangers of greed and the corrupting influence of power, calling for a shift towards a more virtuous and selfless society.
Line by Line Meaning
Politics and evil
The corrupt nature of politics and evil are the same
All one in the same
Both elements are identical
Satan hides behind a different name
Evil can be masked behind different titles
Take these chains away
Remove the external constraints
Free my hands from bondage
Loosen the restrictions that hold me back
Can't explain a way
There is no excuse or rationalization
Avarice will kill you in time
The desire for wealth and possessions will ultimately lead to ruin
Violent upheaval
Chaotic and destructive changes
Cities drenched in flame
Urban areas burning to the ground
Wickedness we know we can contain
We have the ability to control the evil within ourselves
How the willing murder now
Those who are willing to kill are now doing so
See what we are becoming
We are transforming into something undesirable
An onyx veil that filters out the light
A dark and oppressive atmosphere that obscures hope and positivity
I'll savor this anger
I will enjoy and relish in my rage
My hate makes me stronger
My intense dislike for something empowers me
Running from destruction
Fleeing from the chaos and devastation
Avarice will kill you in time
The desire for wealth and possessions will ultimately lead to ruin
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAN DONEGAN, DAVID DRAIMAN, MICHAEL WENGREN, MIKE WENGREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jon Keys
on Land of Confusion
It's a cover of a Genesis song!