Disturbed
Evolution Tour
Mohegan Sun Arena – February 23, 2019
Dan Donegan, David Draiman, Mike Wengren and John Moyer of the Chicago metal band Disturbed gave a unifying performance to the Mohegan Sun audience. Within the first few minutes of taking the stage lead singer and frontman David Draiman asked them not to believe what the news media and government say about the dire straights of the United States. He said we are not a country divided, that family and friends are and will always be important. Draiman stated this night was to escape all the false information forced into our heads on a daily basis. He said he was glad differences were put aside by all this night and it’s about enjoying the music together.
The band intentionally set the floor of the arena up as festival old style standing room only access. This allowed the fans to mingle, mosh and dance however the music moved them. The barriers around the jutted out stage were crammed with fans throwing up their fists to the beat and singing along with the band.
They performed “Are You Ready?” off the Evolution album for which the tour is named. There were another 4 songs off the album played during the concert.
A recorded public service announcement from the band about the ravages of addiction and depression along with phone numbers for addiction and suicide hotlines played on the tron while the band members made their to the other end of the arena. They sang “Reason to Fight” and “Watch You Burn” at a smaller more intimate stage which gave the people in the usually distant seats front row views.
The multi-platinum album selling band has not waned over the years, if anything they’ve become more recognized as they gained a new audience of not so hard metal fans with the release in 2016 of their cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.” When the first notes of that song began the crowd cheered as the band members backed by strings one by one took the darkened main stage. Draiman did not disappoint with his strong vocals. The band and the added musicians did a beautifully haunting job on the song.
The band finished the set with “Inside the Fire” off “Indestructible. The stage had pyrotechnic fans cheering and clapping as flames blew across and down the stage.
Disturbed is a band that some of the oldest followers say have tamed some with time. I think they have just changed a bit with the times and evolved as all beings do. If you like hard driving rock and an occasional tamer ballad thrown in don’t miss Disturbed on tour. They put on a great show with plenty of light and fire.
http://www.disturbed1.com/
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris