Disturbed – Asylum (2010)
Album Overview
Released on August 31, 2010, Asylum is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. The album continued the band’s streak of commercial success and became their fourth consecutive studio album to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200.
Produced once again by frontman David Draiman, the record blends aggressive guitar riffs with dark lyrical themes and melodic choruses. Asylum explores psychological conflict, inner demons, and the struggle between control and chaos.
The album sold more than 179,000 copies in its first week, reinforcing Disturbed’s position as one of the most commercially successful metal bands of the 2000s.
Background and Recording
Following the success of Indestructible (2008), the band returned to the studio aiming to create an album that felt heavier, darker, and more emotional.
Much of the writing focused on themes such as:
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Mental instability
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Fear and paranoia
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Personal struggle
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Social control and rebellion
Recording sessions took place primarily in Chicago, where the band refined the production style they had established on their previous album.
Musically, Asylum features more complex guitar work, atmospheric moments, and dramatic vocal performances, expanding the band’s sound beyond straightforward nu metal influences.
Tracklist
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Remnants
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Asylum
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The Infection
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Warrior
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Another Way to Die
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Never Again
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The Animal
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Crucified
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Serpentine
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My Child
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Sacrifice
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Innocence
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Ishfwilf
Most Popular Songs
Another Way to Die
One of the album’s most recognizable singles, focusing on environmental destruction and humanity’s impact on the planet.
Asylum
The title track opens the album with a haunting atmosphere before building into a heavy, melodic chorus.
Warrior
An energetic anthem that later gained popularity through sports broadcasts and video game soundtracks.
The Infection
A powerful song blending aggressive riffs with emotional lyrics.
Commercial Success
Asylum maintained Disturbed’s impressive commercial streak.
Key achievements include:
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Debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200
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Fourth consecutive Disturbed album to reach No.1
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One of the best-selling metal albums of 2010
This achievement placed Disturbed among a small group of rock bands with multiple No.1 albums in the United States.
Fun Facts
• The album cover features The Guy, Disturbed’s iconic mascot, trapped inside a padded asylum cell.
• The song “Never Again” was written about the Holocaust and the importance of remembering history.
• Several tracks feature darker orchestral elements compared to the band’s earlier releases.
Trivia
• The album’s intro “Remnants” transitions directly into the title track.
• Asylum continued the band’s tradition of heavy riffs mixed with melodic choruses.
• The album explores psychological and social themes more deeply than previous releases.
Did You Know?
• Disturbed became one of the few metal bands to debut four consecutive albums at No.1 on the Billboard 200.
• Songs from the album became staples of the band’s live performances during their 2010–2011 tours.
• The record marked the end of an era before the band took a temporary hiatus in 2011.
