How to make a concert review writer feel old:
- Attending a show that celebrates the 25th anniversary of an album purchased at Best Buy on its release date.
- See #1.
I still remember hearing Disturbed’s third single, “Voices,” streaming across my AOL internet connection via long-since-defunct HowieRadio.com. [Way Back When] It helped propel ‘The Sickness’ to massive success! Soon after, I handed out fliers promoting Disturbed’s first show in Cleveland! I knew they were arena/amphitheater material early on. I can’t boast that I predicted a 25th Anniversary celebration tour of the March 7, 2000 release, but I can’t say that I’m surprised, either. The album has stood the test of time.
A few weeks after frontman David Draiman and Co.’s crew inadvertently damaged the NBA’s Chicago Bulls’ championship banners at the team’s basketball arena, The United Center, the band rolled into Cleveland on March 31, with hopes not to set the Cavaliers’ lone championship banner ablaze. (They successfully avoided a repeat episode!)
Shortly after 8:45 PM, Dramain was rolled onto the stage by what was presumably supposed to appear as a doctor, decked out in a straight jacket and Silence of the Lambs mask. Releasing himself from the jacket, he revealed his first-set attire, a black jumpsuit that read “D.O.C.” on the backside.
The first of two sets featured the band performing ‘The Sickness’ in its entirety, in sequential order, beginning with the aforementioned “Voices.” This song hits every bit as hard as when my 16-year-old self, new driver’s license in hand, listened to to wake up to on the way to a 7:20 AM high school start time. I still love this song, and, unlike many songs from my high school days, not just for nostalgic purposes.
The band powered through the album in an efficient manner with minimal downtime, with highlights that included the band’s debut single, “Stupify,” their cover of Tears For Fears’ “Shout,” and set-closer, “Meaning of Life” (which included interpolation of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”).
Immediately after the conclusion of the second-to-last song in the opening set (“Dropping Plates”), the band exited the stage, which was soon guarded by a curtain. The band returned to the stage in orange jumpsuits, and Draiman found himself seated in an electric chair on the stage’s catwalk.
An intermission followed, during which videos plugging merch and footage from the band in the studio ran on a screen.
After borderline killing the show’s momentum, the band returned for a second set, this time, performing their greatest hits. Everyone was dressed in all black, minus the apparent fashion aficionado singer, who emerged in a full black leather body jacket that he wore for the set-opener, “I Will Not Break.”
The stage didn’t change much for Set Two, EXCEPT for drummer Mike Wengren’s kit, which was swapped out and elevated to give fans a better view of his mad skills anchoring the rhythm section. (No disrespect to the incredibly talented bass player, John Moyer!}
Disturbed added a little more pizzaz during set two, which included a giant inflatable mascot raised during “Bad Man.”
After performing “Indestructible,” a recording of “The Sound of Silence” played while the stage was once more hidden behind a curtain. Draiman and guitarist (turned pianist for the next number) Dan Donegan emerged from the barricade in front of the stage. Donegan took a seat at a piano to tickle some ivory (while the instrument emitted flames that grew as the song progressed), while Draiman headed to the end of the catwalk. Wengren moved over to a magically-appearing timpani, and a cellist and violinist joined to accompany the band for their version of“The Sound of Silence,” which showcases both their versatility and different sides of Disturbed’s musical prowess.
A young fan (seemingly too young for a Disturbed concert) caught Draiman’s attention as she was singing along from her position close to the catwalk, which earned her (and her mother; due to Draiman’s proclaimed “no unaccompanied minors” policy), an invite onstage. Draiman made a speech with an “all are equal” theme. For a hard rocker, he can be a bit of a softie, too. (To avoid confusion, that’s a compliment!)
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During the band’s song, “The Light,” every time the titular lyrics were sung, Draiman instructed the audience to raise their cellular devices to illuminate the arena with their phone lights (replacing cigarette lighters from 25 years ago), creating an awe of a communal wave of lights.
Set closer, “Inside the Fire” concluded the night’s performance.
Two sets proved to be enough for the band. No additional encore. It was two hours after the show’s start time. What more could fans ask for? Draiman led chants of “We are Disturbed” before the band disappeared from the stage, followed quickly by house lights illuminating and satisfied fans making their way to the exits. Tomorrow’s a work day. Time to go home. Rest will be hard from all the heart palpitations from the high-energy show. 100% worth it.
25 years from now, in 2050, I’ll be 66 years old. If Disturbed is still rocking, this old burnout will be there.
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