Review by Cait McMahon
Photos by Alex Valentovich
The three bands took over Tinley Park’s Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre August 30th. On the first crisp Chicago day, the weather was ideal for all-black layered outfits to match Disturbed’s David Draiman with his long cloak on stage.
This lineup order was perfect to build up hype, with Ukranian progressive metal band Jinjer kicking it off with their exciting set.
Breaking Benjamin emerged on stage with a wave of nostalgia behind them, kicking it off with “Failure” from 2015 record Dark Before Dawn. Known for their powerful hooks, Benjamin Burnley’s vocals sounded damn near perfect as he muscled through hit after hit. They didn’t hold back from jumping right into singles “Breath” and “Until The End” off their third record Phobia, and 21-year old hit “Polyamorous” from their first ever record Saturate. Burnley didn’t provide a lot of banter, likely to ensure they could squeeze in every intended song, but made sure the crowd remembered their love for Chicago. They ended the set with emo hit “Diary Of Jane” before the crowd began surging in suspense for Disturbed.
Behind a curtain covering the entire stage, giant shadows teased the crowd as the intro from Disturbed’s “Hey You” off recent 2022 record Divisive played. After finishing that intro, the band threw it way back to 2000 with single “Stupify”, with Draiman stomping around the stage in a floor length cloak and a renewed confidence. A platform of fire tilted back and forth as the band played “Are You Ready?” and “A Reason To Fight”, followed by a long speech by Draiman about his experience with depression and his struggle with suicidal thoughts. He remembered artists like Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, and Stone Temple Pilots’ Scott Weiland followed by the line “I almost joined them”. Draiman publicily spoke about this struggle for the first time earlier this year in May, and it seems the topic has not become easier for him to discuss, as Draiman sobbed with full-body shakes after performing the song. He referenced his son and the fans of Disturbed as his “reason to fight”, even bringing VIP fans on stage to talk about their own struggles with one fan saying “If you fight, David, I’ll fight”.
Their covers of Genesis’ “Land of Confusion” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound Of Silence” have become Disturbed staples and continue to be standouts in their set. The crowd raged on as the lawn made way for mosh pits, flinging each other around down the grassy slopes in hysterical moments. Finally, as the band emerged once again for their encore, did the crowd get the moment they were waiting for. The final two songs, “Down With The Sickness” and “Inside The Fire” left everyone feeling fiery themselves, a great way to get through a Wednesday evening.
Photo Gallery : Jinjer – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre (08.30.2023)
Photo Gallery : Disturbed – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre (08.30.2023)
Photo Gallery : Breaking Benjamin – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre (08.30.2023)
