Disturbed – The Sickness (2000)
Overview
Released on March 7, 2000, The Sickness is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. The album helped define the nu metal and alternative metal sound of the early 2000s, combining aggressive guitar riffs, electronic textures, and the unmistakable vocal style of frontman David Draiman.
Produced by Johnny K, the record introduced Disturbed’s signature rhythmic groove metal style and the iconic vocal intro that launches their biggest hit, “Down with the Sickness.”
The album was a major commercial success, eventually achieving multi-platinum status in the United States and launching Disturbed into mainstream metal popularity.
Tracklist
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Voices
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The Game
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Stupify
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Down with the Sickness
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Violence Fetish
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Fear
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Numb
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Want
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Conflict
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Shout 2000
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Droppin’ Plates
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Meaning of Life
Album Style and Sound
The Sickness blends heavy metal, industrial elements, and nu metal grooves. The music features:
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Downtuned guitars and rhythmic riffs
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Electronic sound effects and programming
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Aggressive vocals mixed with melodic hooks
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Dark lyrical themes dealing with anger, control, and inner struggle
The band’s sound stood out thanks to David Draiman’s percussive vocal delivery, which became one of the most recognizable styles in modern metal.
Most Popular Songs
Down with the Sickness
Disturbed’s signature track and one of the most recognizable metal songs of the 2000s. Its explosive intro and chant-like chorus made it a staple in rock radio, movies, and video games.
Stupify
The album’s first single, known for its heavy groove and hypnotic guitar riff.
Voices
A darker track exploring themes of paranoia and psychological struggle.
Droppin’ Plates
A fan favorite with an energetic groove and memorable vocal rhythm.
Commercial Success
The Sickness performed strongly on the charts and became a long-term bestseller.
Achievements include:
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4× Platinum certification in the United States
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More than 4 million copies sold worldwide
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Major rock radio airplay throughout the early 2000s
The album also helped Disturbed establish themselves as one of the defining metal bands of the decade.
Fun Facts
• The famous “Ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah” vocal intro in “Down with the Sickness” became one of the most recognizable openings in metal history.
• The track “Shout 2000” is a heavy metal cover of the 1985 hit by Tears for Fears.
• The album remained on the Billboard 200 chart for more than 100 weeks, showing its long-lasting popularity.
Trivia
• Before forming Disturbed, David Draiman was studying political science and business administration.
• The band formed in Chicago, a city with a strong heavy music scene.
• The success of The Sickness helped pave the way for later albums such as Believe (2002) and Ten Thousand Fists (2005).
Did You Know?
• The Sickness is often listed among the most influential nu metal albums of the early 2000s.
• Songs from the album have appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and video games.
• Disturbed later became one of the most commercially successful metal bands of the 21st century, with multiple No. 1 albums.
Cultural Legacy
More than two decades after its release, The Sickness remains a landmark debut album in modern metal. Its aggressive sound, unforgettable hooks, and distinctive vocal style helped Disturbed carve out a permanent place in heavy music.
Tracks like “Down with the Sickness” continue to appear in playlists, sporting events, and media, proving that the album’s raw energy still resonates with listeners around the world.
Disturbed Band Biography
Disturbed is an American heavy metal band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1994. Known for their aggressive riffs, rhythmic vocals, and dark lyrical themes, the band became one of the most successful metal acts of the 2000s.
Frontman David Draiman is especially recognizable for his staccato vocal style, powerful growls, and dramatic delivery, which helped define the band’s sound during the rise of nu metal and alternative metal in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Despite starting in the nu-metal era, Disturbed gradually evolved into a traditional heavy metal and hard rock hybrid, gaining a massive mainstream audience.
Band Members
Current lineup
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David Draiman – vocals
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Dan Donegan – guitar
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John Moyer – bass
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Mike Wengren – drums
Former bassist:
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Steve Kmak – bass (1996–2003)
Musical Style
Disturbed’s music blends several metal and rock styles:
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Heavy Metal
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Alternative Metal
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Hard Rock
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Nu Metal (early years)
Signature elements include:
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Chugging, groove-heavy guitar riffs
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Dramatic vocal rhythms
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Anthemic choruses
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Dark or socially themed lyrics
Their sound is often compared with bands like Metallica, Godsmack, and System of a Down.
Studio Albums
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The Sickness (2000)
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Believe (2002)
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Ten Thousand Fists (2005)
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Indestructible (2008)
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Asylum (2010)
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Immortalized (2015)
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Evolution (2018)
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Divisive (2022)
Several of these albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, which is rare for a metal band. Humans apparently like loud guitars more than they admit.
Biggest Songs
Some of the band’s most famous tracks include:
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Down with the Sickness
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Stricken
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Inside the Fire
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Indestructible
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The Sound of Silence (cover of the classic by Simon & Garfunkel)
That last one surprised everyone. A band famous for yelling suddenly delivers a dramatic orchestral ballad and the internet loses its mind.
Fun Facts
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Disturbed has sold over 17 million records worldwide.
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Five of their albums debuted #1 on the Billboard 200.
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The band took a hiatus from 2011–2015 before returning with Immortalized.
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Their cover of The Sound of Silence became their biggest mainstream hit.
