Asylum (Deluxe Version)

iTunes Review

Disturbed are a reliable group who over five albums have found their groove in all the darkest places. Holocaust tale “Never Again” sounds like a championship fighter fighting his way from the corner of the ring to center stage. David Draiman sings in a husky growl that still delivers melody and clarity to the anguish and general rage behind the lyrics. “The Animal” throws an extra swing into its backbeat. Guitarist Dan Donegan can twist a riff with the best of them. “Another Way to Die” makes global warning sound even more foreboding. The cover of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” titled “ISHFWILF” sounds like an odd fit, but it works surprisingly well as Draiman leans into the melody with all the urgency he can muster. From the gentle opening instrumental, “Remnants”, the one-two punch of “Asylum” and “The Infection” through to the pumping power-chords of “Innocence”, Disturbed never run out of ways to deliver the knockout punch. The Deluxe Version features several great additions. “Leave It Alone” is a clutch rocker and the live versions of “Down With the Sickness” and “Stricken” are tight and energized.