Disturbed – Spark Arena, 15th March 2024: Review

16th March 2024

Last here in 2016 and playing at the same venue (then Vector Arena), Disturbed brought their A-game, with their ever-consistent standout lead singer David Draiman in fine voice.

Sometimes darkness can show you the light, says Draiman.

It was a rainy night in Auckland, as fans of Chicago metal-rockers Disturbed turned up in droves to witness a full-force performance from the Windy City quartet, as well as a sterling support set from South Auckland Samoan warriors Shepherds Reign.

Shepherds Reign opened festivities, and pulled all the stops, sending out a four-pronged percussion group to set things up.

Two Cook Island log (or Pātē) drummers lit up Ala Mai, as the lads steamed out and lit up immediately.

The afros were overtly impressive, especially from lead vocalist Filiva’a James, who expressed that tonight’s audience was by far the biggest the group have played to thus far. Shepherds Reign musically embody metal and hard rock with elements of their Samoan heritage, the latter at a high percentage on this night.

Two female fire dancers joined the crew for Nafanua, as the band cranked along, drummer Shaymen Rameka proving strong and diverse with his double-kick work.

As their performance moved along, it was evident the musos took the brave step to play their entire set from their last long-player, Ala Mai (2023), most specifically those songs sung in Samoan language.

Alien Weaponry double-act tour de force?

Male dancers in trad costume entered the fold, with the backing of a traditional Samoan choir for the opening of Aiga. By now the double-edged sword of guitarists Gideon Voon and Oliver Leupolu were in full flow.

A Samoan matai introduced Samoa Mo Samoa, with Voon shredding in style. Le Manu held that familiar call that the Samoan international rugby team chant during their Siva Tau (haka). Manu Samoa!

Ua Masa’s closed a showcase set, bassist Joseph Oti-George grounded the group, and looked solid in stature too. An epic performance and one that no doubt brought on board new fans of that is Shepherds Reign!

In the interim the drinks queue was lengthy, and the black t-shirts over-abundant. With the floor seats ripped out of the arena for standing room only, it was back to a traditional style concert. One where the mosh pit becomes open plan.

And it got a workout once Disturbed hit the stage, opening with the driving Hey You, appropriately the first track off their latest release Divisive (2022). Those up front knew the lyrics off by heart, matched with fist pumps, horns and finger points.

We all bounced higher still for 10,000 Fists.

As a unit, Disturbed have been around for a while, and it showed. On the surveillance themed Are You Ready, Dan Donegan interwove his staccato rhythm work with steely solos, and had time to interact with the audience throughout the night.

Not only in superb touch vocally, but frontman David Draiman also took a moment to bring awareness to addiction and mental health challenges. He spoke confidently and concisely about the subject from personal experience and takes his privileged position as a spokesman with huge respect.

Bad Man spoke about the dangers of those in power and the use of it. Tonally industrial, skins-man Mike Wengren displayed the most appropriate drum-kit. It would look so good slapped on the front of a truck in the next Mad Max movie, with him playing on it!

The group stripped everything back for A Reason to Fight, an anthem to ward off depression. Draiman took time to talk about demons and utilising anger as a tool to combat them.

Solo spots were to run through the night. Firstly Donegan got a shot at showing his prowess with an effortless gat solo. He ushered in a storming version of Genesis’ Land of Confusion. Disturbed’s interpretation embellishes on the military themes, giving extra marching impetus.

The Vengeful One preached the darkness within humanity and its foreboding direction. Wengren slotted in a drum solo that was machine-like and mechanically precise.

The Game, with its algorithmic intro threw us back to Disturbed’s debut record, The Sickness (2000).

Then the moment many were waiting for, a stellar version of trademark number The Sound Of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel). Draiman is a devoted and committed vocalist and soared high on this one. With Wengren repositioning on timpani, Donegan to piano and a string-section added, Draiman exemplified his ability to live in two worlds vocal-wise. While having choir experience as a youth, there are jobs that are meant for only one, and for that one Draiman is it. Sublime!

John Moyer ran through a quick and dark bass solo, with Wengren supplementing him with cymbal touches. Indestructible drew battlelines against those constructing wars.

Then a very special guest. Don’t Tell Me brought Jennie Skulander from Devilskin to duet with Draiman, who honoured her with open arms. This one capped off the occasion.

Another talk followed, with Draiman inviting six-year-old Charlie with his mum Rebecca onstage. Asked about concerts, Charlie quipped that he liked the Foo Fighters recently, but regarding Disturbed, this one’s better.

Draiman issued a warning of the powers that be, and how they conspire to divide us. He revealed to Charlie a secret. Sometimes the darkness can show you the light. Cue The Light, with Draiman requesting fans to ignite their cell phones as representations of cigarette lighters on the word.

No Marshall stacks in sight (John Forster), but that didn’t stop set closer Stricken from rocking hard.

And with a hardcore fanbase in-house, Disturbed weren’t going to get away without delivering an encore. Unstoppable musically sounded like a dark twin to MJ’s Smooth Criminal.

Then it was back to where it all started, Down With the Sickness, Disturbed and Draiman handing out a lesson in how to combat darkness. Inside The Fire closed the night, alerting us to suicide awareness.

Disturbed’s game is strong, as is Draiman’s message. Powerful stuff, and what a pleasure to be there!

Mike Beck