Asylum - Disturbed
4.5/5
Not too many metal albums get to No1 but, then again, not too many hard rock acts follow the Disturbed formula: heavy on the roary vocals and guitars, a good dollop of 80s Metallica, and enough singalong goodness to ensure a broad appeal.
The first two tracks
on this fifth album, Remnants and the Breathe - like Asylum - work beautifully together, building up slowly towards the dark masterpiece that is the album whole. There are too many good tracks to name them all.
The lyrics are all about life, death, sanity and the lack of and, unlike some metal, you can easily make out every word David Draiman sings.
So the subject matter's not much to smile about, but you'll still be grinning, because this album is a reminder of why you love hard rock.
One false note: check out the hidden track. Although their cover of Genesis' Land of Confusion was okay, even not bad, their cover of U2's ISHFWILF is worth avoiding.
Be glad it's a hidden bonus track, that means you didn't pay for it.
