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Released: 2000 (Giant)
The Band:
Mike Wengren - Drums, Programming
Fuzz - Bass
Dan Donegan - Guitar, Electronics
David Draiman - Vocals
The Sickness was Disturbed's first release under Giant Records. I dont know anything about how it did on the charts or how many records it sold because I dont look that much into it. So I have very little hard evidence here. But what I know is that when these guys came onto the scene with the first single "Stupify", they went from being virtual unknowns, to being everywhere. It was all I ever heard on my local hard rock station (Funky Munky for those in the area). "Voices" didnt quite do as well as a single, but after the release of "Down With the Sickness", everyone knew who they were. They were playing Ozzfest, Hot Topic started carrying t-shirts, and everyone was talking about the guy with the crazy voice.
David Draiman is the lead singer for the band and his vocals are insane. Its a wonder this guy doesnt have larengitis at the close of every set. He probably has the most original voice in hard rock since Brian Johnson...and this album does a great job of showing off that vocal talent. From singing, to screaming (for lack of a better word), to scatting, they cover it all. Pretty well might I add. But one small drawback for me was that Draiman's vocals drive the music so much almost to the point of overpowering. Stronger than any of the instruments anyway.
So you can probably see where Im going with this. Musically this album is nothing spectacular. Not a lot of solos, and certainly no shredding, from Donegan. When Fuzz does anything fantastic (check "The Game" towards the end when Draiman is singing, "Is she really telling lies again") its usually mixed very low. Although Wengren does some nice work in the beginning of "Down With the Sickness", and excellent cymbal work through the whole album. But for the most part its simple one or two chord progressions, with little variations mixed in. But lucky for the band, once Draimans vocals kick in, no one seems to care.
All in all, it works...and comes out to be a pretty badass album.
Positives for me have to be, first off David Draimans intense vocal stylings. I have to give the guy credit. He can actually sing pretty well, but when it comes to the screaming grunting monkey sounds we all know and love (see intros to "Down With the Sickness" and "Voices") nobody does it better. I also like the way unusual techniques are thrown in. Like the scatting in "The Game" and the (Im not sure what to call it, but) almost indian tribal wailing or something in the "if I fail" lines from "Stupify". Another positive is Fuzz's bass. He does some awesome slapping and plucking stuff (check "The Game" but you really have to listen for it). The electronics on the album are done really well, especially in "Meaning of Life". And lastly, their awesome cover of the Tears for Fears song "Shout". I thought this version was much better than the original. I love how the harmonies are done in the verses, and how Draiman does the rapid chants toward the end.
Negatives of the album...lyrics get pretty boring after the first few tracks, especially in "Conflict" (where nearly every line in the song ends with the word enemy) and "Droppin' Plates". Draiman has an amazing voice, but thats all you really hear. He drives the band and without that voice...face it, Disturbed wouldnt be much. Consequently there is quite a lack of musicianship showing through from the axe-weilders. Donegans guitar playing leaves a little something to be desired (one or two chords- palm muted for the verses and open for the chorus) and Fuzz's bass playing is suprisingly good, but you never really get to hear it. Drumming is ok, but nothing spectacular.
In closing Im going to rate this cd a 3.5 out of 5. Most of the tracks on the cd are decent, but the ones that are good really hit the mark. I mean they FUCKING ROCK. Its a great cd to have if youre into the newer heavy maintstream kinda rock. Not a good one to buy if youre not already into the genre. If anything check it out for the vocals, but thats about all you get. And I gotta say, Disturbed can rock the place live.
Recommended Tracks:
Voices
The Game
Violence Fetish
Shout2000
Skippable Tracks:
Numb
Want
Conflict
Final Rating: 3.5/5
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I used to have this album, then one day I just couldn't find it. Weird. I actually remember liking "Droppin' Plates". This is a pretty good review. Although it isn't exactly what I like, there are some songs on here that I like when I am in the mood.
p.s. no tags in titles.
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Good review!
Draiman's vocals and Fuzz's bass playing are definetly the saving graces of Disturbed. Dave has a unique sound, and the power to boot, and if you pay attention to the basslines, they are really awesome. I'm glad you mentioned "The Game", because it is really a good piece of work from Fuzz.
Violence Fetish has a great chorus IMO, it's so evil sounding. I think Droppin Plates is not skippable, however, I happen to like it.
I'll be doing Believe soon.
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[QUOTE=The JoZ]Violence Fetish has a great chorus IMO, it's so evil sounding. I think Droppin Plates is not skippable, however, I happen to like it.
I'll be doing Believe soon.[/QUOTE]
sweet I look forward to it. Droppin Plates isnt a bad song, but the excessive use of the phrase "plates on your a[/I]ss b[I]itch plates on your a[I][/I]ss" just gets on my nerves after a while.
Im glad to see someone agree with me on the game. ps thanks for bein cool about me doin the review and all.
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:thumb:
123
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I like Dave Draiman's voice, the guitarist is above his peers, and ex-bassist The Fuzz looks really fucking awesome while playing. Good review, but I would have given them a different genre; not necessarily "nu-metal" as most people think of them, but there's definitely some kind of metal in there.
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[QUOTE=YDload]I like Dave Draiman's voice, the guitarist is above his peers, and ex-bassist The Fuzz looks really fucking awesome while playing. Good review, but I would have given them a different genre; not necessarily "nu-metal" as most people think of them, but there's definitely some kind of metal in there.[/QUOTE]
if you figure something out for the genre let me know. i wasnt exactly sure how to classify them either.
ps i agree on draimans voice i think its awesome.
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I heard their bass player couldn't play some of the stuff on the album, so they had to pro tool it in.
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I will admittedly say that I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed Believe. I borrowed it from my friend and I miss it a lot. This album on the other hand, was pretty weak. I think they added a little more energy and originality into Believe, whereas this is pretty much generic nu-metal. I do love the "No mommy, please stop it!" bridge in "Down With The Sickness" though. :p
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[QUOTE=BuddyBigsby]I heard their bass player couldn't play some of the stuff on the album, so they had to pro tool it in.[/QUOTE]
I have never heard that, and I would seriously doubt it. Fuzz is one of the few modern hard rock/metal bassists who actually has some talent.
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[QUOTE=The JoZ]I have never heard that, and I would seriously doubt it. Fuzz is one of the few modern hard rock/metal bassists who actually has some talent.[/QUOTE]
i second that. but he doesnt get enough exposure.
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Well it's not like it matters much now, Fuzz isn't even their bassist anymore
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Is this your first review? You did a great job.
I remember everyone around my school around this time was crazy about Disturbed. I never really liked it but they did stand out from the other mainstream bands I thought. Draimen's voice is pretty unique, but I never noticed that their playing was anything special...but then again I never really payed much attention.
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[QUOTE=Death to Pop-Punk]Is this your first review? You did a great job.QUOTE]
yeah first one. thanks for the compliment. im workin on a few more as we speak, hopefully ill get some up by the weekend.
ps speakin of fuzz...anyone know if hes doin anything now?
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i used to, and sometimes do, love this album
very good for the occasional drunken mosh
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Believe is up now as well.
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It's good to see such motivated reviewers. I'm stuck in a rut right now.
And why have I never heard naything off Believe when The Sickness was so popular?
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Well I hate both now, but in my nu-metal days, I liked this album and hated Believe.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I have always liked Distrurbed mainly because of the vocalist, he kicks ***.
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Good album, great review :thumb:
I do like this album a lot, even though I think Believe is on a much higher level.
3.5/5
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i think the sickness is a lot better
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