But enough time has passed so I can finally post on this, the 41st birthday of Highway To Hell, another review by request. This one is for the sophomore record by Chicago considered-nu-metal-even-though-they're-not-nu-metal-at-all band Disturbed. This will be a fun post to do because I don't really need to listen to the record while I write this to have it fresh in my mind. I have been a big fan of Disturbed for most of my life, so I know the record well. So, here we go.
The first thing that grabs you about 2002's Believe is the album artwork. The patterned look of red leather, emblazoned with a silvery symbol in the center. The symbol is an amalgamation of several other symbols, taken from different religions and beliefs. This is a testament to lead singer David Draiman's educational background in religious studies and philosophy. Something unrelated to this that some fans might already know, is that this will be the last record with original bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak before being replaced by studio session bassist - turned permanent bassist John Moyer. Something else that has always intrigued me about this record is the track list itself. 12 tracks, each with one word titles. Spooky, no? Whether this was intentional or not remains to be seen, however I can only believe (heh) that this was by Draiman's own design.
I also believe (double heh) that I may have mentioned on this blog before the Sophomore Curse, where a band's second album always fails to measure up to the success of the first. That is certainly not the case here. Sure, to date their debut record The Sickness has more sales (5M to Believe's 2M) and it generated more hit singles (4 vs 3), it was actually Believe that gave the band their highest-charting single between the two records, with "Prayer" hitting #4 on the US Rock charts. Oh, and Believe also hit #1 on the US charts while Sickness peaked at 29.
That said, let's look at the music itself.
The record starts on a very solid foot with opening tracks "Prayer" and "Liberate." With "Prayer" being their highest charting song at this point in their career, and "Liberate" being a surprisingly heavy fan favorite for those who played the Tony Hawk games. (Remember Synic Selects Vol. II?) It is track 3 where the record takes an unexpected step. David continues to give fans his signature growl, however he also dials it back on some tracks, actually, most of them, and sings, rasp and growl free. This is where the band sets themselves apart from the nu-metal crowd that they got lumped together with from their debut record, and David earns himself a spot in my Rushmore of metal singers. (Well, MALE metal singers.... but more on that later...)
Side B starts on a strong foot as well with lesser-known jam "Rise," which temporarily brings the record back into the realm of head-banging metal, before slowly descending back into the mellowness we found in tracks 3 and 4 of Side A. When we finally reach track 12, I often shut the record off and play something else. "Darkness" is Disturbed's first attempt at a ballad, and while it is a valiant attempt, with beautiful lyrics and somber performance by Draiman, well let's say there's a reason no one knew Disturbed could play a slow song until "Sound Of Silence" hit the airwaves.
For me personally, as the person who requested I discuss this record did so to get my opinion of it, not just a regurgitation of facts and chart positions, I don't believe (triple heh) that this record is greater than their debut. While a tremendous record it may be, I feel that it is Disturbed still trying to dial in and really find who they want to be. To clarify, listen to The Sickness and hear why they were considered nu-metal to begin with. David's brand of speed-metal vocals on that record are unlike anything to come from their catalogue for the coming years. The same is true for Believe where his mellowed singing style and almost-forgettable riffs are a step in a very different direction, though still not brand-defining for who Disturbed would prove themselves to be. It's not until their 3rd studio effort Ten Thousand Fists that I feel they truly hone in on the Disturbed sound. That said, if someone was building a "Best Of:" playlist to familiarize themselves with the hits of Disturbed, you can play this record and then stop after the first 7 minutes. As mean as that may sound, two career-lasting hits from one record is actually pretty good.
This record was requested to me because it is this reader's favorite of Disturbed's discography. Admittedly, and I'm almost sorry to say, that it is actually my least favorite of their catalogue. People say a great record should rise and fall, however I don't think they mean the "fall" should begin on track 3. However, being a fan of the band, I still have to say that this is an excellent record. The production is strong, music is good, though not their best, and Draiman's lyrics are as strong as ever. They may even be some of his strongest lyrics ever, with his writing being my favorite part of this whole composition.
I'm not sure what else to say about this record, so I think I'll leave it at that. While this may be the last record I pull when I want to listen to Disturbed, I know it is the first choice for many other fans (including one in particular...) so it is undeniable that Believe is a worthwhile addition to Disturbed's catalogue, and any metal fan's collection.
Believe - Disturbed
9 - 17 - 2002
1. Prayer
2. Liberate
3. Awaken
4. Believe
5. Remember
6. Intoxication
7. Rise
8. Mistress
9. Breathe
10. Bound
11. Devour
12. Darkness
Favorite Track: Prayer
Least Favorite Track: Darkness
Rating: 7.0/10
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