Now that we are done with all 50 of the best metal albums of all time list according to Loudwire, I thought it was time to move on to cover albums that I love or I am curious about discovering. The album that I chose for this week’s Album of the Week comes from one of the most intense metal albums to be spawned from the Nu-Metal scene in Chicago’s own Disturbed. The band was coming off of their breakout debut album The Sickness that was released in 2000 and add to that the death of singer David Draiman’s grandfather and the events of 9/11 and you have 2002’s Believe, the sophomore effort from the band. The band which consisted of Draiman (Vocals), Dan Donegan (Guitars), Mike Wengren (Drums), and for the very last time Steve “Fuzz” Kmak (Bass) who was fired from the band in 2003. Once again with the help of producer Johnny K, the band would release their first album to ever debut at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Charts as it sold over 284,000 copies in the first week. Behind three singles, the album would go double platinum as it also peaked at number one in New Zealand and number two in Canada.
1. Prayer– The first single off of the record was a culmination of two events with one being the death of David’s death and the second being the clergy’s response to 9/11. David explains saying, “Instead of consoling their flock, people [of the clergy] like Jerry Falwell and Oral Roberts chastised them and used the situation as a means of empowerment, saying it was our own fault because we’re a decadent and promiscuous people. I just thought that whole notion is ridiculous.” So essentially the song is about David having a conversation with God. 5/5
2. Liberate– This was the third single off of the record and it features elements from the first record in the track as David tells you that you it’s OK to believe in God, but he also tells you to have an open mind towards other possibilities or other people’s beliefs. 5/5
3. Awaken-an intense track right from the start with a very melodic verse and heavy chorus style, the song is all about America’s obsession with cookie cutter/wallpaper music. 5/5
4. Believe-An interesting track lyrically from the band that deals with the idea of people who think that just because they are religious or believe in God, does not mean that they are absolved from their sins. 4.5/5
5. Remember– The second single off of the album and one of the best tracks on the record that lyrically deals with how cutthroat the music industry can be and how David has stayed away from the various temptations the industry can offer. 5/5
6. Intoxication-This is one of two tracks on the album that deals with the difficulties that David has faced when dealing with relationships. This one is more in the sense of how relationships can be intoxicating and how it can blind you from people’s true intentions. 4.5/5
7. Rise– This was one of the coolest songs to hear live when it was being performed by the band at the time. I like the lyrics to the track because it’s all about being yourself and not someone you wish you were. Rise and be you! 4.5/5
8. Mistress-Musically not my favorite track, but I do like the lyrics as it deals with how a lot of men have idolized women and the hardship that comes with the result of doing so. 3.9/5
9. Breathe-a decent track on the record that’s all about someone who is so self centered that when he finally realizes it, it’s way too late for him to change. 4.2/5
10. Bound– This is the other track that focuses on David’s troubles with relationships in the sense that because he is bound to his beliefs and who he is, it’s hard to maintain relationships when they want to change him. 4.5/5
11. Devour– a track that is all about David telling someone that no matter what he will be there for them whether they think they need it or not and that he will devour their problems. 4/5
12. Darkness– a very melodic track that features piano, very different vocals by David, and Alison Chesley playing cello on the track that is all about David’s personal journey following the death of his grandfather. 4/5
My Final Thoughts-This was definitely one of my favorite releases from Disturbed in where almost every track is a banger with a few exceptions like Mistress. Nonetheless, this was the growing up stage for Disturbed as things only got bigger for the band from here. That is why I am giving the album 4.5 stars out of five for a final grade.
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