Disturbed Keeps Banging It Out for Fans in Uniform
Posted on: Friday, 18 July 2008, 15:00 CDT
By Adrian Gomez Of the Journal

David Draiman always wondered what it would be like to be in the middle of a war zone. With jets screaming across the sky and paralyzing booms in the far distance, Draiman got his chance to see firsthand how life was in Kuwait.

"It was a career-defining moment," explains the Disturbed frontman of the band's trip to Kuwait. "We didn't know that some would play our music before heading out on a mission. And when we performed for them, there were 10,000 troops all there listening to our music. They were jumping on Bradleys, and it was just a time for controlled chaos, if there is anything like that."

Draiman and Disturbed are having a banner year. Not only has the band performed for the troops in Kuwait, but its fourth album, "Indestructible," debuted at the top of the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts about a month ago.

"It's amazing to know that we are still relevant in the music industry," he says from his bus before the show in Auburn, Wash. "We've been fortunate enough to have our last three albums debut at the top of the charts. That doesn't happen very often. We came out when n metal was big and have been able to sustain. It's all because of our fans."

Draiman explains that the album's name has a double meaning.

"We originally thought of the name to represent all of the troops fighting," he says. "Then after the album came out and did so well, we now think of 'Indestructible' as a way to describe the band. We've been through a lot and we're still here, thankfully."

After a couple of years of touring for the last album, "10,000 Fists," Draiman says the band decided to get back into the studio and work on some tracks.

"After some time, it only took four months to actually record the album," he says. "This album is a little harder than the previous ones and, as always, there's a message to our music."

Draiman admits to still getting stage fright.

"It still happens from time to time," he says. "It's really easy to get over for me. Before shows with huge crowds my stomach does go a bit haywire, but I'm able to bring myself down and give it my all."