Disturbed - Indestructible (2008)

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It is here! Finally, it is here.

Disturbed’s long awaited new album, "Indestructible". Having been a fan of Disturbed since their first album "The Sickness" was released in 2000, I in particular have been keeping an eye out for their new albums in stores.

"Indestructible" features a monster (some have called it Disturbed’s mascot) with glowing eyes and a huge, toothy grin, wrapped in chains, approaching the viewer through flames. Dark and powerful, a suitable visual indeed.

For those unfamiliar with the band, Disturbed are a powerful heavy-metal American 4-piece. Their first 3 albums, 2000’s "The Sickness", 2002’s "Believe" and 2005’s "Ten Thousand Fists" all debuted at #1 on American charts.

They have toured with the likes of Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Korn, System of a Down and Lacuna Coil, and even have a song (This Moment) on the Transformers movie soundtrack.

"Indestructible" is their latest offering.

The big question for me of course related to "Indestructible"’s weight. Disturbed’s albums have gone progressively softer, from the brilliant twisted heaviness of "The Sickness", through the highly pleasing dark melodies of "Believe" down to the personally-disappointing light-metal of Ten Thousand Fists.

I approached "Indestructible" with apprehension; would it have progressed further down the commercial path? I am most please to say that it has not. "Indestructible" features some dark riffs and heavy beats, and also lyrical strings, most similar in their former work with "Believe".

The album is not powered by any individual instrument. The most distinctive element of Disturbed is the mesh of the electronics and the distorted guitar with singer David Draiman’s gravel-rash voice. These are regulated with the underlying bass riffs and the drums (which, interestingly, are frequently paced with the hi-hats rather than the bass drum).

The lyrics twine in and out of the stream of music, pulling you to shadows in your imagination. These shades are then inflamed by high-pitched guitar solos – see track Facade for an impression of this.

All tracks on the album are pretty damn good, but having to pick winners I choose The Night, Perfect Insanity and Criminal, for a mix of originality and dark beauty. The complexity in some of the Disturbed tracks has always been a strong pull for me, with many different sounds and effects swirling in the one song; for an early example check out Voices on "The Sickness" album. This happily features aplenty in many "Indestructible" tracks.

A sensual album of metal, power and shadows combining to show you…(imagine Yoda’s voice here….)the dark side. If you were ever a fan of Disturbed, you’ll want this one.

RATING: 4 out of 5

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