:: Disturbed - Asylum

Disturbed

They may not be the most critically acclaimed metal act on the scene, but love them or hate them, it’s hard to dismiss the fact that after a decade since the release of their debut effort (2000’s ‘The Sickness’), Chicago based outfit Disturbed show no signs of slowing down or disappearing into obscurity. Two years after the release of their fourth album ‘Indestructible’, and six months after celebrating their tenth anniversary with the re-release of their debut effort, the four piece act are back with their fifth full-length effort ‘Asylum’. Promising a darker feel and sound to that of their last release, and hinting at some changes in direction for long time supporters of the band, ‘Asylum’ certainly had many eagerly awaiting the album to see just where Disturbed were pushing themselves. But despite all the hype that the members offered up prior to its release, ‘Asylum’ is very much a familiar sounding album from Disturbed, and one that doesn’t stray too far from the formula that had unquestionably become quite a successful one for them since day one.

Admittedly enough, the opening instrumental track ‘Remnants’ is something a little different from what you would normally expect from the band, and is certainly one of their more adventurous compositions with Donegan’s combined acoustic and electric lead work throughout the song showcasing a willingness to branch out more on his chosen instrument. While it’s hardly mind blowing, the song at least provides a perfect introduction to the title track ‘Asylum’. The first song on all of Disturbed’s previous album’s has always been a stand out, and ‘Asylum’ is no different in that respect with its thick sounding groovy riffs, Draiman’s characteristic vocal performance and the song’s overall memorable chorus. The fast paced ‘The Infection’ is another winning track with the addition of some complimentary solo work on the guitar front and a commanding performance from Draiman from the cleaner vocal perspective, while the environmentally themed ‘Another Way To Die’, the energetic anthem ‘Warrior’ and war related ‘Never Again’ are three further efforts on the album where Disturbed are well and truly firing on all cylinders, even if they’ve not too dissimilar to some of their most notable stronger efforts of the past. Unfortunately, while ‘Asylum’ does have its strong moments, it also features it’s fair share of ordinary tracks as well, with ‘The Animal’ ‘Crucified’, ‘Serpentine’ and ‘My Child’ spearheading what is a fairly mid-paced and rather unremarkable latter half of the album. None of the tracks could truly be described as terrible, but they’re certainly not all that inspiring either. Instead, they’re simply typical Disturbed efforts that are at best solid, if a little unmemorable compared to the opening half of the album. Both ‘Sacrifice’ and the fast paced ‘Innocence’ does shake the inconsistency of the latter part of the album a little, but the uncredited remake of U2’s ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ only brings the album down. Much like their remake of Genesis’ ‘Land Of Confusion’ on 2005’s ‘Ten Thousand Fists’, Disturbed have made an attempt to beef up and modernise the song, but failed to do so convincingly. Overall, ‘Asylum’ is everything you would expect from a Disturbed album, with very little in the way of any real surprises or progression from their previous efforts. In other words, if you were already a fan, you’ll find ‘Asylum’ another solid effort. If on the other hand you weren’t convinced in the past, don’t expect this album to change your opinion in any way.