CD Review: Disturbed – “Immortalized” (Reprise Records)
After five years spent in exile, Disturbed’s latest
offering Immortalized falls more in
line with 2002’s Believe than
anything they’ve released in the last decade, though it’d be hard to not apply
the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’ Time and time again throughout Immortalized Disturbed goes back to the
well; quickly rediscovering the commercially viable formula that brought them
to the dance – soaring hooks, infectious melodies, churning riffs (guitarist
Don Donegan is the star of this record) and pounding percussions (“The Vengeful
One,” “Immortalized,” “What Are You Waiting For”). Immortalized isn’t all just more of the same old Disturbed however,
as the atmospheric “The Light” is a welcomed stylistic change of pace, a
memorable track that helps breaks the monotony; the highly danceable “You’re
Mine” sees the band stepping outside their comfort zone thanks to elements of
electronica and darkwave; the band’s hushed and docile take on Simon
Garfunkel’s “The Sound Of Silence” is wonderfully heartbreaking, very
reminiscent of 2002 Believe closer
“Darkness.” There are a couple of swings and misses here as well, namely the overdone
mess that is “Save Our Last Goodbye” and the out of place “Fire It Up.” The long
and short of it is, if you’re a fan of any era of Disturbed, this album is
right up your alley because as with most everything this band has released, Immortalized is about as accessible as hard rock comes. Chances are, you’re
going to either love Immortalized or
you’re going to hate it, plain and simple.
Grade: C+
Go Download: “Open Your Eyes”
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