Disturbed’s The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour made a stop in Raleigh, NC at the Lenovo Center on April 14. As you can tell by the name of the tour, the band’s celebrating the anniversary of that album which is also their debut album. They have managed to prove a lot of critics and non-professional music critics wrong by managing to last 25 years. They haven’t just lasted, but they have grown and evolved. Back in 2000, would you have thought they would tackle a Simon and Garfunkel classic one day? Not only tackle it but get rave reviews for it.
Ok, back to the matter at hand. The tour also features openers Nothing More and Daughtry. You’re bringing out two headline quality acts to open for you, so you know you have to step your game up. After both bands set the bar pretty have for Draiman and his band, the house lights went down and images of Disturbed going all the way back to the beginning were projected onto the huge screen. Then the curtain fell and Draiman was wheeled out strapped to a gurney with his Hannibal Lecture mask on. He was then released and the band ripped into The Sickness album with “Voices.” They proceeded to play the album in its entirety, in exact order. For a lot of fans, it was the first time hearing some of these songs played live for the very first song.
After that set was finished, Act II began where the band played a set of their “Greatest Hits.” Yes, Disturbed have had hits throughout their 25+ year career. Get Lady Gaga or Taylor Swift hits because these were on the Rock charts. You look at that 2nd set and those songs were right up there with some of the biggest names in rock. Hearing all of those songs back to back to back in one set was mind blowing for the fans. It started with “I Will Not Break” and included “Land of Confusion,” “Indestructible” and “The Sound of Silence.” A full set list follows the photo gallery.
This was a band that was having fun all night long, especially guitarist Dan Donegan and bassist John Moyer. They were all over the stage, engaging the fans at every opportunity they could get. Think of being a huge Disturbed fan and you’re singing along and suddenly John Moyer points at you. Some people, especially as they grow older (yes, I went there), forget the feeling that they used to get the first couple of times that they saw Disturbed and this happened. It’s an amazing feeling and you’ll be talking about that forever. I have to add that Moyer (not to take anything away from anyone else) is a photographer’s dream to photograph. He is a beast on that bass and his playfulness and posing for photographers is greatly appreciated. Drummer Mike Wengren is a freaking beast on that kit plus he is sitting right in front of a wall of flames! That pyro was as sick as ever and he is so close to it. He must sweat off a pound or two at every show! As for David Draiman, what can you say that hasn’t already been said? To me, the guy is not very flashy. He is subtle in his stage movements, but he has proven that less is more. This show from beginning to end is amazing and fans were saying that they definitely got their money’s worth for a change. To all three bands, especially with the way the economy is now, thank you.
Review & pictures by I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price
