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February 2025

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Disturbed: Asylum

Modern Heavy Metal

3.25/5.0

Reprise Records
www.myspace.com/disturbed
www.disturbed1.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  09.06.2010

Consistent. Perhaps this is the best review for Disturbed'sfifth studio album, Asylum. While more than a few sites and press releases have suggested with this disc that Disturbed is forging a new direction, I simply don't hear it. Asylum merely picks up where Indestructible left off two years ago. But that's not a bad thing. If anything is even slightly novel here, Disturbed has both improved their accessibility and found new strength by invoking more pure traditional heavy metal into their compositions.

Otherwise, much remains the same: one word titled songs based on vocalist David Draiman's life and perceptions of the world presented in a staccato musical delivery, all in a modern metal shell. Generally, you can't expect much more, and actually it can be rather redundant. On most every song I found myself simply wanting to get to the guitar solo beyond anything else. (Dan Donegan remains quite good.) Therefore, the conclusion is unremarkable: Asylum is acceptable, predictable, and enjoyable Disturbed, leaving little room for either inspiration of provocation. Within two albums Disturbed has become 'classic' Disturbed.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

The conclusion is unremarkable: Asylum is acceptable, predictable, and enjoyable Disturbed, leaving little room for either inspiration or provocation.

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By now it's old news. Everybody in the prog universe knows: Dream Theater got the band back together. Drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy returned to his Dream Theater family to celebrate their 40th ... [ Read More ]