Disturbed

Evolution Reprise

The title says it all.

Some might still regard Disturbed as forever tied to nu metal. But those days are long gone. On this, their seventh studio album, the Chicago band have eschewed all preconceptions and embraced different styles. So while Are You Ready does sound like a typical Disturbed anthem, A Reason To Fight is a high-grade power ballad, Hold On To Memories is an emotionally charged acoustic workout, and Watch You Burn could easily grace an REO Speedwagon album. The best track here, though, is Already Gone, reminiscent of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters, with David Draiman’s beautifully understated vocals nestling against broodingly tuneful guitar playing from Dan Donegan.

Draiman suggests this is Disturbed’s Black Album, and he could be right. The band have embraced their own instincts, and as a result their credibility has soared on arguably their most convincing album since 2000’s The Sickness.