Disturbed’s ‘The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour’ rolled in Raleigh, NC on April 14 to the Lenovo Center. Nothing More is opening the tour and they are a band that we go back a ways with. The band’s self-titled album dropped in 2014 and we saw them live for the first time that same year. They opened the Monster Energy Rebellion Stage at Carolina Rebellion that year in Charlotte, North Carolina. Man, we really miss that festival. Here we are 11 years later and these guys are still killing it. It was going to be great to see them on a big stage. We covered them just last year when they hit The Ritz in Raleigh, NC on 5/15 on their co-headlining tour with Wage War. That was a hot crowd and, no offense to the other bands, it seemed as if the majority of the crowd was there to see Nothing More. The sing-a-longs during their set were almost deafening.
The band took the stage to a huge ovation from the crowd. It was a short set that focused on the band’s latest album, the epic Carnal. They opened with “House on Sand” from that album. Although the song begins slow, the intensity builds and kicks in like a chokehold. That really got the crowd going! Lead singer Jonny Hawkins was all over the stage, including the extension that went way out into the pit, engaging the crowd. The band was joined by fellow tour mate Chris Daughtry for their recent release ”FREEFALL.” Not to be outdone, Disturbed front man David Draiman joined the band for “Angel Song.” (NOTE: The regular version of Carnal only features the Draiman appearance while the deluxe edition of Carnal features both the Daughtry and Draiman appearances.) A full set list follows the photo gallery.
The band closed out their set with “This Is the Time (Ballast)” from their self-titled album. In case you’re wondering, the band did include that epic drum part at the end of their set. Dawkins, along with guitarist Mark Vollelunga and bassist Daniel Oliver went out to the end of the extension and to the guardrail. They stood on top, each man accompanied by a drum, and they proceeded to have an epic drum finale. Nothing More drummer Ben Anderson was also a part of the finish but he remained at his drum set. Dawkins really does know how to command a stage regardless of its size all while delivering the song and engaging the crowd. This band represents musicianship at its finest. They have definitely bonded and become quite the seasoned band since the addition of Ben Anderson in 2015.
My only complaint about their set was that it was too short. Then again, I knew this was going to happen given that they were the opener. Nothing More is one of those bands that are so much better live than on their recordings (although their albums are superb). There is a rawness that gets polished in the studio but is definitely evident in the live show. It just adds more emotion to the songs. If you get a chance, you definitely need to catch this band live whether as an opener or (preferably) a headliner.
Review & photos by I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price
