New album offers metal mixed with some prayer
Josh Ray

Diversions Editor

When a band sings about death, darkness and hate, one would usually think it was really disturbed or something.

That's because this band is called Disturbed, and it just released a new album a week ago. Let me begin by telling you something: This album rocks in more ways than one. Unlike groups like Korn and Papa Roach that change sounds slightly for their new albums, Disturbed stays fairly true to its own way of rocking. Believe, Disturbed's second album, packs a hard-hitting, in-your-face punch that will keep you head banging for hours, at least it did for me.

Granted, the group did change the sound slightly. David Draiman, the vocal of the group, stopped doing his trademark grunts and animal cries. That was kind of a disappointment, but it is easy to look past that and see the real quality and trademark of Disturbed lies in Draiman's way of screaming gutturally. Also, Dan Donegan (guitars and keyboards), Mike Wengren (drums) and Fuzz (bass) keep up the music the group is famous for. The background music is completely there and still keeping the beat.

Not only that, but the lyrics are composed of words, which actually have meaning for the listener. Draiman managed to combine a surprisingly melodious way of singing with powerful words to help move the listener in a new direction. Yeah, the music seems to be centered around hate, but it somehow, magically, brings in an almost spiritual value, rather surprising. What's more surprising is I actually liked the values.

Also, in the CD s booklet, is an interesting line running up the middle between the lyrics. While it seems to pose as a direct attack on the way humans behave, it serves as a chilling reminder of how people actually should live their lives. I think Disturbed must have found Jesus or something like that, because this CD is chalked full of these little tidbits, like the quote from the Bible President Bush should look at.

When the album was released, it was released in two different formats. For the hardcore Disturbed fans, and those who actually had the money to pay for it, there was the special edition set. This set had what felt like a leather bound cover and a huge metal talisman on the front. It also came with a DVD. I'm saddened to say that as a poor college student, I chose not to shell out the extra cash and only got the regular CD, which is still awesome in its own right. It's enhanced and the viewers can watch the "Prayer" video on their computer. It's kick-ass, trust me.

Just as a side note, Disturbed is currently on tour with Korn. The tour is called  Pop Sux,  which is a great name for a hard rock tour. Too bad the closest it comes to the little community of Joplin is Little Rock. Oh well - ROAD TRIP!!

Anyway, what I'm basically trying to say is you should buy this CD. If you really like the band, buy the special version. I'm sure it's worth the money - I just wish I had the money.

Special to The Chart