Disturbed : Asylum | album Review
AUGUST 30, 2010 BY Sylvie L.

Rate : 10/10+++
The wait is over. Disturbed ‘ s new record Asylum is here to haunt us again. It is a heavy CD. Disturbed isn’t a metal, a heavy or a rock band or I don’t know what else. Their music is accessible for all types of music lovers. Their sound can’t be compared. Well, here is my review.
The new album is simply stunning, bluffing lyrically and musically. Asylum is a terrific record. You are forever in this asylum. Disturbed’s music is your medicine. The music penetrates your soul and keeps you prisoner in a place full of dark sounds, catchy for always. David’s vocals are horribly (in a good way) additive. With Asylum, you discover a new band that has this something extra that you search when you listen to music. The thems are strong. The band is very talentuous. Anyway, who can doubt about them after 1O years. A masterpiece to buy. Read these few lines below if you aren’t yet convinced.
For the meanings of the songs, see David’s interview here http://evigshed.com/?p=1414.
Individual song impressions
Remnants is the opener track. It welcomes you in this Asylum. It is a slow short instrumental piece intriguing that announces the dark atmosphere of the rest of album. Very beautiful. I love a lot. Acoustic guitar. Hook guitar solos.
Asylum : intro bass line/drum and come the roar vocals of David. The song is absolutly perfect. I like when he changes his voice like this. You can feel what he sings. The three musical sections are very harmonious. Very catchy. A total chemistry of sounds which work perfectly with David’s enchanting vocals. Awesome drum beats. The music takes you in your soul.. It is how to say, memorable from the start to the end.
The Infection : Fast powerful combination between riffs/bass/drum splendid. The drum is wonderful. David’s vocals leave you speechless. The guitar solos are brilliant. Wonderful musically. This ‘infection’ is intense and does not displease me. Listen to this incredible harmony between the four members.
Warrior is very agressive lyrically and musically. You really feel a ‘Warrior’. It is a killer song. The guitar solos blew me away. The background with bass is perfect. David’s vocals range are incredible, really powerful. The perfection has a name.
Another way to die : slow guitar intro. This is the lead single of their album. The track is a mid tempo piece filled with guitars solos, extremely catchy. I think it is the only song that sounds like ‘Disturbed’. Slow double bass at the beginning , then faster, doubled with guitars. Fascinating.
Never again is a heavy song about Holocaust which starts off with an awesome drum intro. It ‘s then joined by the rythm section. The harmony between the two sections ponctuated by David’s voice is intense, fantastic.The chorus is memorable. This is another kind of Disturbed’s song never heard before. Terrific guitar solos and a fantastic bass line. Galloping drum. Extremely catchy chorus.
The Animal starts off with electronic sounds. Nice use. Original. I love. Drum/rythm/bass come in punctuated by roar vocals. Strong harmony between the expressive voice of David and the music.The song as a whole is incredibly powerful and stick in your head at the first listen. Guitar solos are captivating. Very friendly radio song.
Crucified : hook me. The three sections work in unison. It is simply fantastic. The drum is awesome. David use his voice as an instrument. He continues to show that he is really one of the best vocalists. It will penetrate your heart within you. You will be crucified. The powerful rythm section carries very well his strong roaring vocals.
Serpentine starts with distorted riffs/Drum intro. The words are sung with intensity and give you chills. The track haunts me even through when it is over. I can’t stop listening to it. It is hard to explain. Another friendly radio song. It is very well done. Awesome solo John’s bass . Amazing double bass by Mike. You follow the closed eyes this ‘tortured soul’. Guitar solos are extraordinary. You can also hear church bells. At the end, the music fades in with the violin. Just beautiful. The track is one of magical moments on the album.
My Child : The opening intro starts off with baby’s screams and the heartbeat. You understand that this track will be poignant. Musically and technically, it is highly enjoyable. Lyrically, it is monstrously good. David sings and express very well with his words what he feels, become father and the lost of a baby. The end brought you the tears to the eyes when the baby’s heart stops. David’s band mates offered him a worthy accompaniment to his words.
Sacrifice starts off with impressive riffs. Drum section comes in with the first verse and a nice bass line in the background. It is both agressive, brutal (all what I love) and melodic. Guitar solos with John’s bass in the back are great. . It features another Dan’s attitude we have never seen in his guitar solo work. All the sections are really admirable. Mike delivers a beat with his drum playing that leaves me speechless. Highly expressive vocals.
Innocence is fast and very dark. Epic. Total melodic. The first word that came in my mind, was it’s Fucking wow. The playing of Mike is phenomenal. Incredible percussion. His drums are killer complemented by catchy riffs. I love the vocals/guitars/drum intection. Spectacular rhytms. David’s vocal range is excellent.
Ishfwilf : very good Cover of U2′s song ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for‘. I was a little surprised but why not.
Leave It Alone : is a bonus Track. A rock song that starts off with another different guitar riffs. I love the melody. Cool guitars solos. A nice blend of guitars, beat rock drums which support a melody very catchy and a fantastic rockin voice.
Concerning lyrics, it is brilliantly written. The lyrics make the listener feel hypnotised. David is really an excellent talented songwriter. His voice is one of the highlights on this album. He pushes the boundaries of his spectacular vocal range. He stirs the soul like nothing else that you have never heard. David has a powerful distinct vocal style that matchs very well with the music delivered by his band mates. You cannot compare him with someone. He delivers some of the most amazing vocals that leaves you speechless. His voice is magical. Another truly amazing aspect of this album is the perfect combination between rythm/bass/drum sections that give the listener an example of how the words can come true in the hands of Disturbed and have another dimension. Danny is a multi talented musician who is simply stunning when you listen to each record of Disturbed. ‘The Dan Orchestra’ is fantastic. I don’t speak about John and Mike. They are genious. You’ll discover another musical side from them at each listen. The drum sound is huge and the double bass presence is fantastic. Asylum is a symphony, an ocean of wonderful sounds. There are also waves of crispy awesome riffs. The music is extremely creative.
In conclusion, Asylum is totally different from their previous albums in a very good way. I expected a certain type of songs and frankly , it is exactly what I wanted. The album is full of hits and potential hits.
For me, Indestructible was good but a little repetitive. Asylum will be number 1 and is here to stay during a long time in charts. I was really very surprised. Disturbed offer us something interesting musically very powerful that you can listen again and again. At the end, it is always pleasant. I hope they’ll have Grammys awards because they deserve it. You can only love Asylum. Terribly additive. Very highly recommend. Anyway, you can’t do better than buying one or several copies. Not to be missed. For me, it ‘s their best album.
Sylvie Lesas – Evigshed Magazine