Review Summary: Recycled songs with different titles.
Creating an album in secret is nigh on impossible in this day and age of music. And yet the announcement that Nu-metal standard-bearers Disturbed had completed their sixth full length album came as a total surprise to everyone. The secrecy was masked by a four year hiatus however with no appearances for reunion shows, the formation of numerous side projects plus the news of David Draimen quitting Twitter (which for some reason seemed like massive news) who could have ever predicted the arrival of Immortalized?
Disturbed released their last full length album, Asylum, back in 2010 and it was then that people started to accept the mechanical trend to their sound throughout their career; with the acceptation of their ground breaking debut: 'The Sickness'. An identifiable voice, catchy hooks and bold riffs sound like a good recipe for triumph however when you sprinkle a touch of unoriginal lyrics and eliminate any form of musical progression that has sculptured Disturbed for nearly 20 years then you begin to ponder whether this reunion is really for the best. Are Disturbed truly immortal or have they finally crumbled under the sickness of popularity?
Straight off the bat, the title track explodes into a chugging riff from Dan Donegan, signalling their return. For Disturbed fans, hearing David Draimen’s voice after all this time may leave you in a slight state of awe and this is only heightened in the huge chorus that the song packs. The infectious choruses and grooves that are the ingredient to Disturbed’s popularity are found in tracks such as the jumpy 'Never Wrong' and the swaggering 'The Vengeful One'. The latter tailored to be a bonafide stadium-conquering anthem.
Draimen’s voice is so recognisable and clear that some of his sleazy lyrics do stand out like a sore thumb. Half of the song 'Open Your Eyes' has him literally saying that line over and over and over again whist the other half is where the exchange of uninspired riffs and vocals fill the silence. 'What Are You Waiting For' definitely sounds angrier with a faster pace, breakdowns and a jittery rhythm, however the clear vocals make the song’s tone similar like a yapping puppy: it’s angry, but still not threatening. There’s also a song about getting stoned-even if 'Fire It Up' is clearly focused on lyrics rather than instrumental talent. It’s just a shame that Disturbed fail to grasp that so many bands have sung about drugs that it’s just lost its meaning; the multiple pinch harmonics admittedly do add a touch of dizziness to the song.
Much of Immortalized is recycled elements off of any album they have produced yet there are a few interesting moments of experimentation. The Simon And Garfunk cover of 'The Sound Of Silence' is a total curveball for Disturbed to attempt yet turns out to be strangely successful. Draimen and co. maintain its chilling lyrics, dark atmosphere and consoling vocals- even if it breaks up the momentum of their all important reunion album. If only this worked out as well on tracks such as 'The Light' and 'You’re Mine', both of which go full Linkin Park and feature overproduced pop influences that just completely clash against the stomping drum rolls and swerving grooves. At least we can all agree that they tried.
All in all the announcement of Immortalized was surprising; the album itself is dramatically unsurprising.
