One of the most commercially successful bands of the nu-metal era even as they quickly transitioned to a more hard rock/metal sound, Disturbed have sold over 17 million albums worldwide – and become festival headlining mainstays in the process. In March of 2000 though, their success was a lot more uncertain. While bands like Limp Bizkit and Korn were battling boy bands and pop stars at the top of the charts, Disturbed managed to release their debut album at a time where nu-metal was really starting to hit a commercial peak (especially when Linkin Park, Deftones, and Limp Bizkit released albums later that year). Oddly enough, The Sickness, which was released on this day in 2000, was their only album (outside of their most recent record, Evolution) not to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 200. However, the record, which is obviously very steeped in nu-metal, kickstarted the band’s career almost right away.
Armed with vocalist David Draiman and a talented rhythm section, The Sickness was an almost instant hit, propelling the band into the rock and metal worlds with some of their best-known singles. “Down With The Sickness”, “Voices”, and especially “Stupify” are Disturbed live concert staples today. Also a fun fact about this record. The song “Droppin’ Plates”, arguably the most nu-metal song on this record, inspired the band’s Music As A Weapon tour.
