With anniversary tours running rampant over the last decade or so, Disturbed is the most recent band to jump on it, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut- The Sickness.
When a band does an anniversary tour, often times it’s a record that had a hit or two but still put the band on the map. With The Sickness, though, it wasn’t just the band’s debut record, it also spawned multiple hits and catapulted them to headline status immediately.
The Indianapolis date of the tour fell during the leg that featured support from Daughtry and Nothing More, making for a loaded night and it delivered on every level.
Nothing More is operating on another level with their latest album- Carnal, and they opened with two tracks from the record. They had a short set but sprinkled in at least one hit from each album of their career so far and the fans were singing along at the top of their lungs for the entire set, especially when the band was joined by Disturbed singer David Draiman or “Angel Song.”
Daughtry was up next for a set that had a lot of fans returning to see the band, who made their return to Indy after opening for Breaking Benjamin and Staind last summer. The band is also in the midst of a renaissance, going independent and revisiting their heavy roots.
They played mainly songs from their latest EP- Shock to the System Pt. 1 and full length- Dearly Beloved along with a few classic tracks, but the fans loved the newer material. Chris Daughtry’s energy was contagious, telling the crowd that, when things are dark, they get better. “Take it from someone who’s been there,” he told the crowd before playing “Pieces,” “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
At long last, after a short career-spanning video, it was time for Disturbed to hit the stage. They played two sets on the tour- the first being The Sickness in full followed by a set of hits. The first set opened with Draiman being wheeled out onto the stage wearing his classic Hannibal Lecter mask and straitjacket as the band ripped into “Voices,” and the show was underway.
Their set was loaded with pyro and stage effects, as well as a giant inflated The Guy. The most impressive stage effect fell during “The Sound of Silence,” when guitarist Dan Donegan sat down at a beautiful piano at the front of the extended stage and the top of the piano burst into flames as he played.
The band took a moment toward the end of the night to show their gratitude for the years and decades of fan support:
“We have so many amazing opportunities to meet truly, truly incredible people, people who really show us what it means to be brave, who define courage, who are able to push through the darkness,” Draiman said. “One of those wonderful people was introduced to us through the Make a Wish Foundation today. It never ceases to amaze me the fortitude, the perseverance, the drive…it’s inspiring, it should be inspiring to each and every one of us.
-Reggie Edwards