Disturbed - Immortalized
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- 3 days ago
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On August 21, 2015, "Disturbed" released their sixth studio album, "Immortalized", marking their return after a five-year hiatus.
The break came after a relentless run of four consecutive number-one albums and constant touring that left the band physically and mentally drained. In 2011, David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, and John Moyer decided to step away. Each pursued separate paths: Draiman formed Device, Donegan and Wengren created Fight or Flight, while Moyer collaborated with other projects. The hiatus also gave the members time for family and reflection, with Draiman marrying and becoming a father.
But in early 2014, a private dinner between Draiman, Donegan, and Wengren rekindled the spark. By January 2015 they were in Las Vegas at The Hideout Recording Studio, this time with producer Kevin Churko. For the first time, Moyer did not participate in the recording sessions, at the time of recording he was deeply involved in other projects. During the band’s hiatus he had become the touring bassist for "Adrenaline Mob" and also worked with other acts like "Operation: Mindcrime". Donegan took over all bass duties, adding another layer of intimacy to the process.
The collaboration with Churko was a significant shift. After years of self-producing, the band felt it was time for a new perspective. Donegan explained that they wanted a fresher sound after such a long break: “It was nice to have, kind of, a new production element to it and things that pushed us and challenged us to raise the bar.” Draiman added that the writing process was more cooperative than ever: “Everything was really put under the microscope and everybody had an opinion, and, believe me, everyone was voicing them loudly... We were very, very cooperative with one another, very professional the entire time.”
The result was an album that not only felt familiar but also carried a sharpened edge.
The album opens with "The Eye of the Storm", an instrumental intro that builds cinematic tension before bursting into the title track, "Immortalized". A defiant anthem, it captures the very essence of the comeback, a declaration that Disturbed was reborn and stronger than ever. It drives forward with a march reminiscent of "Metallica", setting the stage for the power to follow.
"The Vengeful One" was the first single released, dropping without warning in June 2015. Its animated video reintroduced "The Guy", the band’s mascot, as a destroyer of corrupt media and modern chaos. The song surged on the charts, quickly reminding fans of Disturbed’s trademark blend of groove, aggression, and anthemic hooks.
Among the deeper cuts, "The Light" stands out. Donegan has called it his personal favorite, praising its hopeful message: “Sometimes darkness can show you the light.” Its music video, telling the story of a firefighter disfigured by flames who finds love, mirrors the theme of resilience that runs through the album. Its synth-infused melody and uplifting atmosphere, comparing its layered polish to the accessibility of "Linkin Park".
"Save Our Last Goodbye" adds a personal and emotional dimension, enhanced by a voicemail snippet from a late friend, giving the track a haunting human touch. In contrast, "Fire It Up" is playful and controversial, opening with the sound of a bong hit, as Draiman admitted he often wrote after smoking cannabis.
The true centerpiece of "Immortalized" is without doubt Disturbed’s cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s "The Sound of Silence". With Donegan on piano, Wengren adding timpani, and Draiman delivering a haunting vocal, the song became one of the band’s greatest successes. It climbed to 42 on the Billboard Hot 100—the highest charting single of their career—and introduced them to a wider audience beyond the metal world.
The deluxe edition offered further highlights. "Legion of Monsters" was inspired by Rolling Stone’s 2013 cover featuring the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Draiman had publicly condemned the magazine for “glorifying killers” in a viral Facebook rant, and the song serves as a fierce criticism of media sensationalism, warning of the danger of inspiring others to commit similar acts.
When "Immortalized" was released, it stormed to number one on the Billboard 200, selling 98,000 units in its first week. This achievement gave Disturbed their fifth consecutive 1 debut, putting them in the company of "Metallica" and "Dave Matthews Band" as the only groups to reach such a streak.
Critics were mixed mainly around admiring the album’s energy and heaviness but pointing out its reliance on familiar formulas. Yet fans embraced it as a triumphant return, with its balance of heavy grooves, melodic hooks, and emotional depth.
Ten years on, "Immortalized" is remembered not as a reinvention, but as a reaffirmation. It proved that Disturbed could disappear, reemerge, and still dominate, armed with their signature sound, sharpened production, and one song that transcended genres to become immortal in its own right.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music