Reviews list for Disturbed - Divisive (2022)

Don't you just miss the good ol' days of "Oh-wah-ah-ah-ah"?! Disturbed has released their new album Divisive this year, and in the months leading up to its release, people were wondering what direction they would take. The longtime fans feared that the band would continue the recent melodic radio hit route. Then a single popped up (I'll tell you what it is soon) that hinted at something once thought far-fetched, the return of their earlier heaviness! The album that track would appear in is a pleasant surprise...

I ended up having COVID at the time when I got this album, a week after its release, and I can understand the anger the band had with the challenges caused by the literal sickness. The rage is really put into their work, especially in the first half, though after that, there seems to be an unsettling turn.

The aforementioned single "Hey You" is a jaw dropper and kicker. There's f***ing great bad-a** power here, reminding me of the 2000s albums by this band. It's definitely an original song instead of a cover for a certain Bachman Turner Overdrive song. Thumbs up for that! There's a divisive line in heavier alternative music between the metal of this band and the rock of Shinedown, and I prefer to stay in the former side. But the real division is what this song describes in the lyrics, such as ongoing wars and protests, so wake up and fight the division! "Bad Man" sounds like an Indestructible outtake. They didn't have to build up the glory in an intro, getting straight to heavy rhythm. The melodic chorus is leveled up by David Draiman's vocal power in triumph. The title track follows with the usual rough energy.

"Unstoppable" shows that the band still has what it takes by f***ing throwing back to Disturbed's earlier days of 20 years ago, hard-hitting like a b***h! "Love to Hate" marks the end of the throwback first half to the band's legacy. They mix old and new, as the vocals sound cleaner while still rough. Draiman's lyrics once again tackle political frustration. "Feeding the Fire" is where the band returns to what they had in their previous two albums, though it sounds a bit addictive. "Don't Tell Me" is the biggest surprise here, a ballad featuring Ann Wilson of Heart. Fans of Draiman-fronted ballads might like it along with Dan Donegan's shredding, but to the heavier ear, it's just soft bullsh*t.

"Take Back Your Life" is another filler track that's not too bad while not having much memorable power. There's more energetic bass and drums in an attempt to save the track's grace with heaviness. The heavier "Part of Me" ends up coming out as mediocre. Draiman tries to sound more rough and less clean, but it can't beat the album's first half. "Won’t Back Down" ends the album as a strong headbanger, bringing back elements of their first 3 albums, complete with some of the earlier "OW" and "get up".

Disturbed made a good comeback with this album, though it can be quite...divisive. The heavier foundation is back to stability in the first half, though the second half brings back their recent soft melodic side. If you're up for more of their strong earlier heaviness, you're in for a treat with a slight trick....

Favorites: "Hey You", "Bad Man", "Unstoppable", "Love to Hate", "Won't Back Down"