Is Disturbed Metal Or Is Their Music Much More?
Whether you have recently stumbled across their music around the web or have been rocking out to them since the 1990s, you may have wondered, ‘Is Disturbed metal or does this band’s music fall under other genres as well?’
At Jukebox Saturday Night, we get that this is a fair question to ask. While Disturbed is best known as a heavy metal band, the lines separating genres can sometimes blur, especially when it comes to innovative and experimental acts like this one.
Plus, there are rarely any hard definitions and qualifiers for what counts as a certain genre. There are even times when artists dare to venture beyond their established sound, making their brand as an artist even more complex and interesting to listeners.
Don’t worry, though – you don’t have to look up questions like ‘Is Disturbed metal?’ or ‘What genre is Disturbed?’ In this article, Jukebox Saturday Night unpacks Disturbed’s body of work and where it places the iconic band in the metal music landscape.
Many genres and styles fall under metal.
While the answer to the question ‘Is Disturbed metal?’ is an obvious yes, what certain fans are wondering is if the band only falls under the metal genre. The thing is, though, the metal genre itself has grown very diverse over the many eras of music and continuously evolved as the artists did. So, it’s important to this discussion that we unpack this evolution.
Hard rock is considered the heart of metal.
You can’t answer the question, ‘Is Disturbed metal or does it fall under other genres too?’ without taking a look at metal roots – hard rock.
When you think of genres related to hard rock music, you may think about psychedelic rock bands like The Doors and Pink Floyd or garage rock talents like Poison Ivy’s Kristy Marlana Wallace. However, heavy metal has ties to this genre as well. In fact, hard rock music is often seen as a precursor to heavy metal, and many early metal bands have roots in this rock genre.
Heavy metal often forms the base.
Heavy metal is the foundational genre from which many of its sub-genres have evolved. This is characterised by its loud, aggressive sound, distorted guitars and powerful vocals. The instrumentation heavily relies on electric guitars, bass and drums, frequently featuring intricate guitar solos. Vocals can range from clean singing to more aggressive styles, including growls and screams.
There’s the alternative metal difference.
Rock is the first thing that comes to mind for most fans when asked to look back on the late 1960s and early 1970s. After all, it is the era of rock icons, from The Beatles to Johnny Thunders.
However, this was also in this era that heavy metal emerged. So, it wasn’t long before alternative metal came around, combining elements of rock with heavy metal and creating a unique sound that often incorporates a variety of musical influences.
Nu metal also stands on its own.
Nu metal emerged in the late 1990s and is characterised by the incorporation of turntables and synthesisers alongside traditional metal instruments, bringing a unique blend of sounds to the genre. Vocal techniques can include a mix of singing and rapping, with a significant focus on emotional expression.
Disturbed actually spans all these genres.
‘Is Disturbed metal or is it much more?’ Unpacking the different influences and evolutions of the metal genre seems to point towards the latter, and a look at the Disturbed songs fans have loved over the years makes it very apparent.
Disturbed’s history of nu metal and alternative metal
Fresh out of the ‘90s, their The sickness album had unmistakable nu metal and alternative metal reminiscent of the synthesiser sound and rock influences of that decade. In fact, ‘Down with the sickness’ is one of the most well-known nu metal songs from that time.
Then, with Believe (2002) and Ten thousand fists (2005), Disturbed leaned towards alternative metal.
Their heavy metal works have rock influences too.
Even during the late ‘00s and early 2010s which people often refer to as the band’s era that was most purely metal, there were still rock elements in the Disturbed albums released in these years. You can hear it in the anthemic sounds in Indestructible (2008) and the softer melodic moments in Immortalized (2015), which are qualities you’d find in the seventies jukebox staples rock fans love.
So, is Disturbed metal? Definitely, but their band history proves that their music is also so much more than that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the influences behind Disturbed’s music style?
The band draws heavily from heavy metal and hard rock while also incorporating elements from nu metal and alternative metal. They have cited iconic groups like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Pantera as major influences, which are evident in their powerful riffs and intense drum patterns.
That’s why, when answering the question ‘Is Disturbed metal?’, it’s important to consider all the other genre influences that have shaped their work.
What themes are commonly found in Disturbed’s lyrics?
Many artists have touched on politics and social commentary in their music, from James Brown to U2, and that includes the Disturbed band. The band frequently critiques societal issues like media influence, government control and organised religion while promoting messages of individuality and self-acceptance.
Existential struggles are a recurring topic in their songs as well, addressing concepts of Heaven and Hell, personal turmoil and the human condition.
In addition to real-world issues, their incorporation of fantasy elements like vampirism, werewolves and demons adds a twist to their songs’ imagery and storytelling.
How has Disturbed influenced other bands or the metal genre?
Their early 2000s success, particularly with their debut album The sickness, reignited interest in heavy metal, introducing a new generation to the genre. Plus, their ability to fuse melodic elements with aggressive instrumentation has set a standard for other artists, influencing the sound and approach of many contemporary bands.
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Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, music history is often based on available documentation and interpretation.
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