Time may pass, but Disturbed’s reign burns as bright as ever. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut album, The Sickness, the metal titans have returned to the road with a vengeance. The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour tore into Pittsburgh with enough energy to rattle the steel beams of the sold-out PPG Paints Arena. Known for their mix of nu-metal groove and passionate, emotional anthems, Disturbed gave fans the ultimate throwback paired with a thunderous reminder of their evolution.

Nothing More wasted no time in stirring the crowd into a frenzy. Frontman Jonny Hawkins, shirtless and painted, brought his signature fire from the very first scream. “Go to War” and “Jenny” hit with intensity, blending thoughtful lyrics with seismic breakdowns and experimental flair. Their mix of alternative metal and raw theatrics carved a distinct space in the lineup. As always, Hawkins’ physical performance and the band’s tight musicianship turned early arrivals into instant believers.

Following suit was Daughtry, a name many associate with American Idol but one that has grown into something much heavier over the years. With a thicker, more aggressive sound than many expected, Chris Daughtry and his band delivered a powerful set packed with emotion and grit. “World on Fire” and “Heavy is the Crown” showed just how far he has come, with vocals that soared above crunchy guitars and pulsing drums. Daughtry also played their newest, yet to be released single, “The Day I Die,” a powerful track absolutely dripping in emotion. If the studio version is half as good as it was live, “The Day I Die” will be an instant favourite. Daughtry threw it back to his American Idol days with an acoustic version of “Home,” a softer yet equally powerful track that he had written while away from his family – a track that never fails to hit hard and caused more than a few tears to well up. The crowd fully embraced the shifts in energy, singing along and leaning into the heavier moments while purely vibing with the slower. Daughtry may have surprised some, but he proved without a doubt that he belonged on this bill.

When the curtain fell into place to prep the stage for Disturbed, the arena seemed to vibrate in anticipation. But as it rose and the band apeared, still shrouded in smoke, everyone lost their goddamn minds. But frontman David Draiman wasn’t with everyone else. With unparalleled stage presence, the master of metal was wheeled out in a straight jacket and mask, à la Hannibal Lecter. After freeing himself from his bindings, Draiman took a moment to soak it all in, just a few seconds that felt like a lifetime, before launching into the sonic assault that defined a generation: The Sickness.

The first of two sets, Disturbed jumped into The Sickness from front to back and gave fans the kind of set that only comes around once in a lifetime. “Voices” kicked things off with eerie tension before exploding into familiar chaos, complete with fireworks. “Stupify” and “The Game” delivered crushing grooves and tight rhythms that had the pit in full swing. The first taste of pyro started, absolutely roasting the die-hard fans on barrier and lighting up every inch of PPG Paints Arena.

By the time “Down With the Sickness” roared through the arena, fans were screaming every word, fists flying in perfect time. Deep cuts like “Want,” “Numb,” and the haunting Tears for Fears cover “Shout” were given just as much energy as the hits. Disturbed treated the entire album with reverence, and the crowd responded with pure devotion. The set closed off with a positively electric rendition of “Meaning of Life” that was ungodly heavy and chuggy following a snippet of “Electric Chair” that had Draiman suffer a gory fate at the hands of the electric chair. Now that’s how you end a set!

After a short, much-needed break, the band returned with fire, both in their eyes and on the stage, and a greatest hits set that spanned their full legacy. “I Will Not Break” set the tone for this second half, a newer anthem released just this past February that more than held its own against the older classics. “Ten Thousand Fists” brought out crowd chants that shook the venue, and their cover of Genesis’ “Land of Confusion” sparked a sea of raised hands and bouncing heads. “Indestructible” lived up to its name, sounding as powerful and razor-sharp as ever.

The night’s most emotional moment came during a surprisingly elaborate rendition of “The Sound of Silence.” Draiman’s voice, somehow even deeper and more melancholic than usual, carried densely through the air. Draiman was accompanied by traditional orchestral instruments and a FLAMING. PIANO. Simon & Garfunkel could never. This may have been the best live performance of “The Sound of Silence” ever, stunning the crowd into complete silence before absolutely erupting into the loudest applause of the night.

With just two songs left on the set, Draiman took a moment to bring a young girl, 12 year old Abigail, and her mum up on stage. Draiman is very well known for having special moments with fans during shows, and this was no exception. Said Draiman, “I love that people feel comfortable enough to bring their children to Disturbed. […] It gives me hope that rock n roll will never ever ever die.” This happened to be Abigail’s first rock show, it’ll be a very hard one to top!

Closing out the night with “The Light,” “Inside the Fire,” and a final burst of raw energy, Disturbed left nothing behind. Their performance was tight, passionate, and full of purpose. Each member moved like veterans who still have something to prove, and the crowd gave back every bit of that fire. For longtime fans, it was a perfect celebration of a generation-defining album. For newer fans, it was a reminder that Disturbed’s legacy is still being written. And for everyone inside PPG Paints Arena, it was a night of pure catharsis – loud, heavy, and utterly unforgettable.

April 5th, 2025