Disturbed

Disturbed is a metal band from Chicago, United States, active since 1996. Its core lineup includes guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, vocalist David Draiman and bassist John Moyer. The group’s membership has also included Steve “Fuzz” Kmak, Marty O’Brien, and, in the broader line-up history, Fuzz and O’Brien appear among its members.

Formation and early years

Before Disturbed, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren and Steve Kmak perform in a band called Brawl with vocalist Erich Awalt. After Awalt leaves, the group recruits David Draiman through auditions in Chicago and adopts the name Disturbed in 1996. Draiman chooses the name to reflect ideas of social conformity and psychological tension. Donegan and Wengren remain with the band from the start.

In the late 1990s, the band records demo material that includes early versions of “The Game”, “Down with the Sickness”, “Meaning of Life”, “Want”, “Stupify” and “Droppin’ Plates”.

Albums and commercial breakthrough

Disturbed signs with Giant Records in 1999 and releases its debut album, The Sickness, in 2000. The album becomes a major commercial success, reaching number 20 on the Billboard 200 and selling over four million copies in the United States. It is multi-platinum and is driven by singles including “Down with the Sickness” and “Stupify”. During touring for the album, Marty O’Brien temporarily replaces Steve Kmak because of injury.

The follow-up, Believe (2002), also reaches number one on the Billboard 200. Its single “Prayer” receives limited broadcast because of perceived similarities between the video imagery and the September 11, 2001 attacks. The band also contributes “Forsaken” to the soundtrack of Queen of the Damned.

In 2003, Disturbed tours on Ozzfest and runs its own Music as a Weapon II tour with Chevelle, Taproot and Ünloco. Later that year, Kmak leaves and John Moyer joins the band, making his debut during performances that feature early versions of songs later released on Ten Thousand Fists.

Ten Thousand Fists arrives in 2005 and debuts at number one. The album reintroduces guitar solos as a stylistic feature. Disturbed continues touring extensively, including Ozzfest 2006.

Later releases, hiatus and return

Indestructible is released in 2008 and becomes the band’s third consecutive number one album on the Billboard 200. It includes “Inside the Fire”, which receives a Grammy nomination. The band supports the album with extensive touring, including the Mayhem Festival, international performances, and releases of live and downloadable material, some of it integrated into the video game Rock Band.

Asylum follows in 2010 and also debuts at number one. After supporting the album, the band enters a hiatus in 2011. During this period it releases the compilation The Lost Children, containing previously unreleased material, and a boxed vinyl set titled The Collection. Members also pursue side projects.

Disturbed reunites in 2015 and releases Immortalized that year. The album includes a version of “The Sound of Silence”, which becomes one of the band’s best-known recordings. A live album recorded at Red Rocks follows in 2016.

Recent work

In 2018, Disturbed releases Evolution, which moves towards more acoustic and ballad-led material and includes “Are You Ready” and “A Reason to Fight”. Touring continues into 2019 and 2020, including anniversary activity around The Sickness, though some plans are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The band releases Divisive in 2022, returning to a heavier sound. Singles include “Hey You” and “Unstoppable”, and Ann Wilson contributes guest vocals to “Don’t Tell Me”. Disturbed continues touring into the mid-2020s, including anniversary tours and festival appearances. In 2025 it releases “I Will Not Break” and continues celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Sickness.

Style and recognition

Disturbed is associated with alternative metal, hard rock, heavy metal, industrial rock and nu metal. The band has sold over 17 million records worldwide, earned multiple RIAA certifications, received numerous Top 10 placements on the Mainstream Rock chart, and gained several Grammy Award nominations.