The Sickness

Some artists arrive so fully formed, they make an instant impact. The 2000 debut album from this Chicago metal four-piece is a heavy classic, thanks to its masterful welding of catchy hooks and creepy sound effects to stomping power riffs. David Draiman’s dynamic vocals shift between clean, staccato rapping and harsh screams, pushing standouts like “Down With the Sickness” and “Stupify” into nu-metal territory. Meanwhile, the electronic elements on “The Game” and a bold remake of Tears for Fears’ hit “Shout” nail Disturbed’s experimental streak.

The Sickness, the first entry by Chicago's Disturbed in the alt-metal sweepstakes, thankfully avoids those common pitfalls, turning in a mixture of raw, gut-level metal and industrial/electronic backing that feels logical and integrated.

Disturbed - The Sickness review: From a musical standpoint ‘The Sickness’ is in no way a remarkable album, but at times it can be as catchy as hell.