Music as a Weapon Concert Review - Disturbed

Lights fade to black, the crowd pushes forward. Spotlights peak through holes in the curtain and shine a silhouette on its sides. Sound begins to buzz, building an energized ambiance. The curtain drops, spotlights flash, drums beat, symbols crash, guitar sounds………………. ………………………………… This is Disturbed!

This was who the 4,000+ fans came to see Tuesday night at the La Crosse Center.  Headliner Disturbed took the stage around 9:15 p.m. in front of an eager audience.  As band members started to played the intro to “Voices,” lead singer David Draiman was wheeled out on stage in a straight jacket.  The jacket and mask came off, followed by the well known, famous voice of Draiman.

Disturbed had a large stage to wander on, when considering all three previous bands only had half of what the Disturbed stage was.  The new addition of the stage included steps on both sides of the stage that lead up to a catwalk that only Draiman used during the concert.  The drums were propped up on an angled medal platform that Draiman, Dan Donegan (lead guitarist), John Moyer (bassist) all used to run up and jam out with drummer, Mike Wengren.

The band played favorite songs from all four of their albums throughout the show.  After every song was finished, the lights would go completely out, then either slowly come on to acknoledge Draiman speaking or flash large with the start of a powerful song.  Draiman also encouraged fan involvement to sing along and pump their fists in the air.  All of which show no instance of violence or defiance, but instead a memorable concert experience and the rush of being part of a moment that no one can deny.

Disturbed’s set included the songs “Liberate,” “Prayer,” “Land of Confusion” which is a Genesis cover if you’re unaware, “Stupify,” “The Night,” and “Inside the Fire.”  All while the background of the stage displayed large depictions of their album covers.  One of my favorite intros was from “Remember” where Donegan picked up his acoustic, sat on a stool in the middle of the stage and started playing under a single white spotlight.  Draiman joined him about a minute in, singing the first verse before breaking out into the electric version from the album.  Here’s a picture of it taken by one of my co-workers.  I also took a video of it, which, again, turned out awesome, but I can’t show you guys thanks to the law. Que Judas Priest !

I also got an awesome picture that I must mention.  At the beginning of “Inside the Fire” when he laughs to kick in the rhythm, I decided I wanted to get a picture of it.  Well I did! And this was probably the best skill level picture I took all night, click here.

With a pause towards the end of the concert, the stage crew set up a fence around the catwalk and let fans go up there to “participate” with the band.  Now I put “participate” in quotes for a reason, which I will describe shortly.  The song was “Ten Thousand Fists” which is the title track off of their third album.  The idea of the fans being up on the catwalk was so they could pump their fists with the beat, hence 10,000 fists.  Instead, they decided to take pictures, which I probably would have too, and act like they were rock stars for being on stage with the band. Really not the point of going up there, but now they all have a story to tell.  After the song was over, the lights stayed on and Draiman said “Goodnight, La Crosse.”

However, we all knew the concert wasn’t over yet as the crowd chanted “We want more!”  A few minutes past while the stage crew set up props.  I had my camera rolling once the stage lights began to pulse once more, and this is what I saw…. (I took the sound out, which was muffled anyways, but you at least get to see the light show)

The song was “Indestructible,” the first song and title track of their latest album.  Which set up a light show with a 3-4 minute drum solo.  We all knew there was one song we were guaranteed to hear, “Down With the Sickness.”  But while the drum solo was going on, Draiman made his way to the opposite end of the floor where he got up on a platform and was raised up during the opening of “Down With the Sickness.”  This song is universally known for its opening lyric, which everyone was expecting to hear once Draiman was spotlighted on the raised platform.  Moments before he was to belt out this line, he faked like he was going to sing, instead all the lights went out and there was silence.  Seconds later, “OHH AH AH AH AH” and the lights came back on.  He sang half of the song on that platform and then sang the bridge on the way back to the stage.  He rejoined the band to sing the final chorus and send Disturbed off in style!

Overall, I was impressed with all the bands and the execution of the sound board in the non-acoustical La Crosse Center.  On my way out, I could tell that fans got their money’s worth, well it was only $39.75, but every penny was worth it.  I hope the fans made a good enough impression on one or all of these bands in the hope that they will make another tour stop once again in La Crosse.

Rock, BC