Disturbed
– The Sickness
Some albums don’t just introduce a band—they stomp in, grab you by the throat, and demand your attention. The Sickness was one of those. Disturbed didn’t ease into the nu-metal scene; they bulldozed their way in, armed with crunching riffs, relentless grooves, and David Draiman’s now-iconic guttural bark. It was raw, aggressive, and unashamedly primal, built on the kind of controlled chaos that made every song feel like a battle cry.
What made The Sickness stand out wasn’t just the heaviness—it was the precision. These songs were tight, mechanical in their construction but never lifeless. Dan Donegan’s riffs punched hard, Mike Wengren’s drums hit like a hammer to the skull, and Draiman’s voice switched effortlessly between a menacing snarl and a soaring, melodic croon. It was the perfect balance of rage and control, making even the most furious moments feel calculated. And while some nu-metal albums of the era were weighed down by gimmicks or dated production, The Sickness still sounds massive.
Lyrically, it was a dive into the darkest corners of the mind—abuse, anger, paranoia, defiance. It was confrontational, uncomfortable at times, and built to resonate with anyone who’d ever felt trapped or beaten down. And yet, for all the darkness, there was something energizing about it. These weren’t songs about giving up. They were about fighting back, about channeling fury into something explosive. Twenty-plus years later, it still does exactly that.
Choice Tracks
Down with the Sickness
The anthem. The war cry. The song that took over rock radio and never left. That primal “Ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah” intro is so burned into the collective memory of heavy music fans that it practically needs no introduction. The groove hits hard, the chorus is massive, and the sheer aggression in Draiman’s delivery is impossible to ignore.
Stupify
Pure rhythmic mayhem. The chugging guitars lock into a tight, almost hypnotic groove while Draiman bounces between rapid-fire verses and a soaring chorus. The way the track builds and releases tension is masterful, making it one of the album’s most addictive listens.
Voices
An opener that doesn’t waste any time. That opening riff is an immediate gut punch, setting the tone for everything that follows. The song rides a perfect balance of heaviness and melody, proving right from the start that Disturbed wasn’t just another nu-metal band—they had something different.
Fear
One of the most relentless tracks on the album. The industrial-tinged riffing and aggressive delivery make this one of the heaviest moments on The Sickness, with Draiman sounding completely unhinged in the best way. It’s all about power—unapologetic, in-your-face power.
Droppin’ Plates
An underrated gem that’s equal parts ridiculous and undeniably fun. The mix of spoken-word bravado, thick bass lines, and pounding riffs makes it a unique standout. It’s almost like Disturbed decided to throw every bit of their energy into one track just to see what would happen—and somehow, it works.
The Sickness was more than a nu-metal album; it was a statement. It took all the frustration and rage of the era and funneled it into something explosive, something built to last. Even now, it still sounds like a punch to the gut—in the best way possible.