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Asylum (Disturbed album)

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Untitled

Asylum is the upcoming fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. Taking inspiration from other aspects of lead singer David Draiman's life (as well as various world conditions), Asylum is meant to take a fresh direction in the band's music career, while remaining consistent with the band's previous albums. The album is currently set to be released on August 31, 2010 in the United States through Reprise Records.[2] A tour in support of the album, titled the Asylum Tour, will commence in late August 2010.

Development

Early stages

In a November 2008 interview, David Draiman briefly talked about the band's fifth studio album, stating that it will be lyrically as dark as their previous album, Indestructible, if not darker.[3] In an earlier interview with Mike Wengren and John Moyer, it was stated that, judging by Draiman's feelings on the last few years of his life, that the new album will be aggressive, angry, and "hard-hitting," but will be similar musically to their album Believe. Wengren also said that the new album may be released in the summer of 2010.[4]

In a July 2009 interview with FaceCulture, Draiman talked more about the upcoming fifth album: "A couple of [song riffs] that Danny has come up with are really amazing. But they're just little pieces...it's not even in two-three part progression [yet]."[5] It was later confirmed that the title of the album is Asylum.[6]

Recording and production

Song-writing for the album began in late 2009.[7] On February 8, 2010, it was announced that the band had entered the studio in Chicago, Illinois to begin recording their fifth album. Guitarist Dan Donegan stated that the band had written around 15 to 18 songs[8], and 17 were recorded.[9] On April 20, 2010, roughly two months after they entered the studio, Disturbed announced that they had finished recording the album, and were ready to begin mixing the album in Los Angeles, California. As they did with their last album Indestructible, Disturbed stated that they self-produced Asylum.[10]

Style and lyrical themes

The song "Another Way to Die" is about global warming and has been released as the first single from the album.[11] The title track has a dual meaning, with the concept of a person losing a loved one, as both an asylum driving the person insane, as well as a place of comfort. "Serpentine" is a song intended to be "ethereal and frightening", about a succubus demon woman who "utilizes her sexuality to prey on the weaknesses of men."[12] In the same interview, Draiman pointed out the technical aspects of the songs with emphasis on songs that include vocals from himself, as well as Wengren, Donegan, and Moyer all at the same time, creating an interplay Draiman described as "gang vocals". Draiman concluded the interview by likening the album as a whole to the film Gladiator for it's "moments of loss, the moments of triumph... struggle... mysticism." The song "The Animal" is reported to be about an individual turning into a werewolf from the light of the full moon, taking inspiration from several films, such as Underworld and The Wolfman.[13] The song "The Infection" is another relationship song Draiman wrote, talking about the depression you feel after a break-up, and treating it as if it were an infection, "something eating away inside you." The song was described as having a fast guitar riff with melodic vocals and the solo section was described as having an orchestrated feel to it.[14] In the July 2010 issue of Metal Hammer Magazine, Donegan talked about the B-side "Three": "There's also a song about the West Memphis Three...these kids that came from this Bible Belt town and just because they wore black and listened to heavy metal they were found guilty of murder, even though there was no evidence!" "Crucified" is a song about a relationship of Draiman's that fell apart and the "desperation it brings you to". The song "Never Again" is about the Nazi Holocaust of World War II. A B-side was mentioned, titled "Mine"[15], a song about religion as a catalyst for war. The song "My Child" is about Draiman impregnating a past girlfriend, and he readied himself mentally for the child, but his girlfriend miscarried and lost the child in the first trimester. A song called "Innocence" talks about "corrupt attorneys and the criminals that they choose to defend." The first song on the album, titled "Remnants", is an instrumental which originally was meant to be combined with "Asylum" to make a 7:30 long track, but instead it was split into two parts to open "Asylum" and for setting the mood. Another reason the original version of "Asylum" was split was for a radio edit, if the song would ever appear on the radio, and "Sacrifice" is about the two sides of us, and to tread lightly approaching the dark side.

Draiman described the album as "still identifiably Disturbed, but showing more maturation. We feel this is one of the strongest bodies of work we've ever put together. It definitely goes in familiar areas, but with new levels of precision and skill." Lyrically, Draiman says, "the themes range from very personal and introspective, to the political and provocative."[10]

Promotion and release

On July 15, Disturbed released a free download of the song "Asylum" on their official website. On July 19, the song "Asylum" was released in the United States via the iTunes Store. They have also announced an iTunes deluxe version of the album which will include a code to download Decade of Disturbed online for free, and two bonus tracks titled "Leave It Alone" and "Ishfwilf," the latter of which is a cover of U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. The band has also announced the release of an exclusive limited edition version of Asylum, featuring the Decade of Disturbed DVD. It was announced on the band's official website that when the album reaches stores on August 31, it will come with the Decade of Disturbed DVD for free as a gift from the band. Also, 3 of the songs (Asylum, Another Way to Die and The Animal) were released as downloadable content for the video game Rock Band on August 24, seven days before the album's full release. Asylum has the album opening track, titled "Remnants" attached to it in the game.[16]

The music video for "Asylum" was released on their official website and MySpace on August 16.

On August 24, "Never Again" was available for download, after the band announced the song's release on Twitter.

To promote Asylum Disturbed is headlining the Uproar Festival along with Stone Sour, Hell Yeah and Avenged Sevenfold. The tour kicks off in Minneapolis, Minnesota at theTarget Center on August 17th, 2010 and ends in Madison, Wisconsin at the Alliant Energy Center Memorial Coliseum on October 4th, 2010

Track listing

All tracks are written by Disturbed

No.TitleLength
1."Remnants"2:44
2."Asylum"4:36
3."The Infection"4:09
4."Warrior"3:25
5."Another Way to Die"4:14
6."Never Again"3:34
7."The Animal"4:14
8."Crucified"4:37
9."Serpentine"4:10
10."My Child"3:18
11."Sacrifice"4:00
12."Innocence"4:31
13."Ishfwilf (U2 Cover)"5:26
Total length:52:57
iTunes Deluxe Version
No.TitleLength
14."Leave It Alone"4:07
15."Down with the Sickness (Live)"5:53
16."Stricken (Live)"4:17
Total length:67:14

Critical Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard(Positive)[17]
Entertainment WeeklyB-[18]
Kick-Axe[19]
Rocksound[20]
Rinse Review Repeat[21]

Asylum has been reviewed by several critics before its initial release, with receptions being mainly positive. James Zahn of Kick-Axe gave the album 4 axes out of 5 summarizing is review by stating "Admittedly, I've long respected DISTURBED as a band, while not considering myself "a fan." ASYLUM has changed that."[19] Also, giving the album a positive review, Merlin Alderslade of Rocksound stated "‘Asylum’ won’t set the world alight, but it’s certainly not monotonous enough to send anyone to the madhouse."[20] Gary Graff of Billboard gave Asylum a short and positive review ending with " There are enough brains and brawn to make this an "Asylum" any head-banger would be crazy to avoid."[17] Damon Harrison of Rinse Review Repeat said of Disturbed and Asylum "Disturbed have hit a nail with their hammering aesthetics, finally, and build an aggressive foundation that’s sure to leave both fans critics alike standing firm in their territory."[21]

Personnel

  • Neal Avron – mixing
  • Jeremy Parker – engineer
  • Raymond Swanland – artwork

Release history

Region Date Distributing label Format Catalog
Australia August 27, 2010[22] Warner Music Australia CD and Music download services
Germany August 27, 2010[23] Warner
United Kingdom August 30, 2010[2] Reprise
Europe August 31, 2010[citation needed]
United States August 31, 2010[24]

References

[25]

  1. ^ The Metal Forge
  2. ^ a b "Disturbed Reveal Asylum Artwork". Metal Hammer. June 29, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Disturbed Frontman Talks Engagement, Next Single". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. November 12, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
  4. ^ Drager, Suzanne. "Interview with: DISTURBED". sonicexcess.com. Sonic Excess. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  5. ^ FC (July 24, 2009). "Disturbed/Video Interview". Video Interviews. Face Culture. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  6. ^ "DISTURBED: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  7. ^ "Disturbed In Milan: Video Footage, Photos Available". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. June 18, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  8. ^ "DISTURBED Begins Recording Next Album". Blabbermouth. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  9. ^ http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/disturbed_asylum/index1.html
  10. ^ a b Disturbed. "Disturbed news". Disturbed. Blabbermouth. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  11. ^ http://www.disturbed1.com/news/2010/07/09/asylum-tracklisting-revealed
  12. ^ Rick Florino (May 7, 2010). "Interview: Disturbed, This record is our Gladiator". Rogue Network. Artist Direct. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  13. ^ http://www.billboard.com/features/disturbed-summer-album-preview-2010-1004094093.story#/features/disturbed-summer-album-preview-2010-1004094093.story
  14. ^ http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/disturbed_overall_we_complement_each_other.html
  15. ^ http://www.billboard.com/features/disturbed-summer-album-preview-2010-1004094093.story#/features/disturbed-summer-album-preview-2010-1004094093.story
  16. ^ "Disturbed DLC on 8/24 ALL From New Album". RockBandAide. 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  17. ^ a b "Disturbed, "Asylum"". Graff, Gary. 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  18. ^ "Asylum Disturbed". Dolan, Jon. 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  19. ^ a b "Disturbed - Asylum Review". Zahn, James. 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  20. ^ a b "Disturbed - Asylum". Alderslade, Merlin. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  21. ^ a b "Disturbed - Asylum". Harrison, Damon. 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  22. ^ http://www.cdwow.com/CD/disturbed-asylum/dp/15238103#bc=be79
  23. ^ http://www.amazon.de/Asylum-Disturbed/dp/B003TUGUHU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1281418952&sr=8-2
  24. ^ "Disturbed: Asylum Artwork, Release Date Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. June 29, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  25. ^ "Disturbed – Asylum". Research.

20. ^ http://outune.net/tunemag/rocktune/disturbed-asylum-ecco-il-ritorno-di-draiman-e-compagni.html – Retrieved 2010/08/19

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