Disturbed - Asylum Album Review

2010 - So far, this year has been excellent for rock music, especially the latter half. With releases like Taproot's "Plead The Fifth" and Stone Sour's "Audio Secrecy", rock music is very alive and well. Not everyone is taken in by the Lady Gaga's and Justin Bieber's yet.

So we come to the follow up album to Disturbed's Indestructible CD. Prior to release, frontman David Draiman said the next release would be much darker than the previous. So automatically I was psyched for the release. Enter Asylum. A hard rock/metal album that harkens back to the "Believe" days.

The lead track "Remnants" is an instrumental track that leads directly into the best song and title track on the CD, "Asylum." Opening with sick guitar riffs and Draiman's trademark growl, Asylum is one of Disturbed's best songs ever. The third track "The Infection" sounds right at home on early albums like Believe. A catchy song that continues the hard guitar sound, it's another keeper. The next song "Warrior" sounds like it would fit in perfectly on Indestructible, and is similar lyrically. The following track "Another Way to Die" served as the lead-off single. Dealing with the subject of mother nature and human pollution, it has already topped the rock charts. Disturbed is no stranger to political songs, but at least they keep their balls and rock it out, unlike sell-outs like Linkin Park. The #6 track, "Never Again" deals with an interesting topic...the Holocaust. Again, it's a hard rock song with a political message...it could also double as a history lesson. Major kudos to Disturbed for dedicating a song to a tough subject. Track 7..."The Animal" is another stand-out track...with an eerie sound that is a must-listen. It sounds right at home on a 300 movie soundtrack, with the "for we shall dine in hell tonight!" lyric. "Crucified" is a generic Disturbed track...nothing to write home about. Track Nine...."Serpentine" deals with a subject that most guys can relate to...a deceiving woman that walks in and tramples over the feelings of a niave man. The next track..."My Child" is a very dark and personal song for lead singer David Draiman. It deals with the subject of miscarraige...only the song is about a former girlfriend of Draiman's who was pregnant with his child. The tenth track..."Sacrifice" is yet another stand-out track on this album. Instantly catchy musically, it deals with a person with dual personalities. With a reference to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it's an excellent musical compilation. So we come to the last "regular" track on the CD, "Innocence". A excellent album closer, it's well put together and deals with the subject of white collar crime and corrupt politicians.

Yet that is not the end of the album. No sir. There's a hidden track on regular pressings of the album. Titled "ISHFWILF" it is a surprising song. The song title is an acronym for "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Yes....this is a U2 cover song. I didn't think I would like it, but it actually does the original justice. A must listen.

So we come to deluxe edition bonus tracks. The first, "Leave It Alone" is another excellent tune that I think should have been included on the regular CD. The next 2 tracks are live versions of "Down With The Sickness" and "Stricken." So we finally come to the final (17th overall) track. "Living After Midnight" is a Judas Priest song...with an interesting opening. Leading with the opening drum solo from Priest's song "Painkiller", it leads into the main song. Another faithful cover that does the original justice.

OVERALL SCORE: 5 out of 5. Yes it's that good. A prime example of how modern metal should be.