ALBUM REVIEW: Evolution – Disturbed

One of the biggest names in the current heavy metal scene, DISTURBED have released their seventh studio album Evolution, three years after their previous record Immortalized. The new record also follows the release of the band’s live album Disturbed: Live At Red Rocks from 2016, as well as the two singles from the new album Are You Ready and A Reason To Fight.

The first of those singles kicks off the new album, beginning at a relatively fast pace through the keyboards before vocalist David Draiman really gets the song going and the riffs come into play. The pace drops a touch as the track progresses, gradually building up to the chorus, but for the vast majority it is quite rhythmic and is a solid opening track, continuing that typical sound that DISTURBED have been renowned for which will surely please diehard fans.

The following track, No More, begins with a lot of emphasis on the bass, and the riffs again are rhythmic and not too complex, giving a good tempo to the track as it really delivers on the heavier side of their musical style. While a lot of riffs have been used over the years in a variety of songs, the main riff in this particular track is unique, an impressive feat for a band who have been around for as long as they have.

The second of the aforementioned singles A Reason To Fight is next up, and takes a much different path to the first, the intro featuring an acoustic guitar and giving off a much gentler vibe – even the vocals from Draiman are much softer compared to others. Eventually the pace does pick up and the bass becomes more prominent, mixing in with the acoustic guitar mainly for the chorus, but overall it is very different to what regular listeners of DISTURBED may be used to, and it is quite refreshing to have it happen so early into the record.

There are another couple of songs on the record that follow a similar acoustic style to the ones already looked at; Hold On to Memories and Watch You Burn. Both of these tracks follow a similar pattern to A Reason To Fight; the intro featuring an acoustic guitar once again, similar to that of a ballad, before the rest of the band follows suit to add the heavier elements, while keeping the tempo relatively low. For those who are more used to the heavier elements of DISTURBED, particularly long term fans of the band, there is plenty of material in the record to satisfy those needs. The band have continued to reinforce their own style and sound, delivering hard, fast and heavy anthems while also incorporating some of the more gentle tracks.

Five of the six previous DISTURBED records debuted on the Billboard 200 following their initial releases and the band have delivered another excellent record with Evolution. If you’re a fan already then be sure to add this to your collection, and for any new listeners of the band it is highly recommended.

Rating: 8/10

Evolution is out now via Reprise Records.

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