Disturbed – “Ten Thousand Fists”

Yet another stable of the nu-metal era in alternative rock is back with a new release. Following in the footsteps of recent releases from bands such as Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach, Disturbed is back with 10000 Fists, the band’s third proper studio release. In its over five year existence, Disturbed have established themselves as one of the most outspoken and politically active bands, led of course by their forthright lead singer David Draiman. 10000 Fists carries on this tradition of outspoken hard rock and despite the fact that the album does not really differ in sound at all from Disturbed’s first two releases, it remains a solid album.

The fourteen track album starts off with the title track, a short, but sweet re-introduction to Disturbed’s trademark crazy sound. The song features some classic Draiman grunting and yelling and it serves its purpose well as it really starts 10000 Fists off with a bang. Track two “Just Stop” is a similar sounding song to “10000 Fists” and by now, it becomes obvious that Disturbed have no plans to relent on their loud, intense sound. Song three “Guarded” sounds almost schizophrenic with its hundred miles an hour verses and slowed down chorus and is another cool tune. Probably the album’s best two songs come at tracks four and five with “Deify” and the disc’s first single “Stricken.” “Deify,” which happens to be an actual word meaning make a god or idol of, is an awesome song definitely worthy of being the disc’s next single. “Stricken” features an infectious riff and some classic grunts from Draiman as he almost sounds like he is rapping instead of singing. The grunting and rap type verses continues on “Son of a Plunder,” another respectable song, reminiscent of classic Disturbed. The first half of the album is rounded out with “I’m Alive,” a song that for Disturbed would be considered mid tempo, though I use the term loosely.

While the first half of 10000 Fists is quite stellar, the quality drops off on the second half. The lone exceptions really are tracks eight and nine, “Overburdened” and “Decadence.” “Overburdened” has a great chorus and it’s as close as Disturbed get to a ballad. “Decadence” is another fast, hard song with more “ahh ahh oww” vocals from Draiman. Tracks ten through fourteen are really nothing we haven’t already heard on this album and the band would have been smart to cut some of them out. “Land of Confusion” at times sounds almost like a Michael Jackson pop song and “Sacred Life,” “Pain Redefined,” and “Avarice” are all just kind of boring.

Disturbed has successfully produced a respectable third album. The first seven songs are some of the best tracks that Disturbed has ever put to tape and while the second half isn’t as strong, it contains a couple of good songs. The major problem that this album suffers from is excess. Fourteen songs is just too many for a rock album and cutting out the last two or three songs would have made 10000 Fists one of the best rock albums of the fall. Despite this, 10000 Fists remains a recommended album.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. 10,000 Fists
02. Just Stop
03. Guarded
04. Deify
05. Stricken
06. I’m Alive
07. Sons of Plunder
08. Overburdened
09. Decadence
10. Forgiven
11. Land of Confusion
12. Sacred Life
13. Pain Redefined
14. Avarice

Run Time: 55:47
Release Date: 2005