On March 9th, I had the honor of seeing Three Days Grace and Disturbed at the United Center. It was a show that put the word epic in its place. As I entered the massive stadium, I saw it filled to the brim with incredibly devoted fans wearing merch and excited faces. I walked into the middle of Three Days Grace’s set immediately greeted with the first song I ever learned on guitar, “Animal I Have Become,” bringing back so many memories.
Three Days Grace had a fun and engaging stage presence, and the first thing I remember is how much lead vocalist Adam Gontier adored Chicago. He shared many moving personal anecdotes including his journey leaving the band and returning with pride. Each anecdote was paired with great musical transitions.
Every so often, he would lead the crowd in chanting “Three Days Grace,” and the last time he led these chants right into “I Hate Everything About You.” It was an incredible way to end their set.
After 3DG’s set was over, I was giddy to see what Disturbed would bring. I was in no way prepared for what was to come. Disturbed opened their set with some cool visuals before David Draiman wheeled out wearing a straight jacket and a face restraint. Draiman was unbuckled and removed his mask as the drums started and the band broke into the first song. It was an incredibly heavy, rhythmic performance that foreshadowed what the rest of their set would bring.
Disturbed’s 25th-anniversary tour of The Sickness did their debut album so much justice. With the original bassist Steve “Fuzz” Kmak reunited with the band for the first time in around 22 years, the music made on stage that Saturday was almost indistinguishable from the greatness that the album itself produces, but with that added magic of live musical performance. Disturbed performed “Down with the Sickness” second, which was incredible to see. Fuzz played bass for the first half of Disturbed’s set and John Moyer played bass after intermission.
The first half of their set included Draiman laughing the most menacing laughs I’ve ever heard in person, fire climbing up the set of risers on stage, and a point in the first half when an electric chair rose from the center of the thrust stage. Draiman was escorted downstage by a security guard sporting a bright orange prison uniform. In a shocking display, the guard sat him down and “electrocuted” him. Blood ran from his head as he started the next song. It was a Disturbing, but engaging scene.
Disturbed’s fans are incredibly devoted and it is clear why. Near the end of the show, after a huge blow-up version of their mascot “The Guy” rose on stage with fire blazing everywhere you can imagine (like diagonally in the air over drummer Mike Wengren), a screen descended showing a projection of the inside of a cathedral. Violinists came on stage and a piano rose from the center of the stage. With crazy contrast, Draiman started singing a beautiful version of “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel. As he performed the tune, the piano erupted in flames. It was a beautiful sight.
The penultimate song was “The Light” from Disturbed’s 2015 album Immortalized. Draiman brought a child and his mother on stage and spoke about the importance of dismantling hate in the world and the importance of love. It was a really moving speech and visual representation of the varying ages of Disturbed fans crossing generations. Draiman asked the audience to put a light up as the performed “The Light,” making for a truly beautiful scene.
Disturbed’s show was filled with many twists and turns, like a blindfolded rollercoaster ride, but that makes sense for one of the most influential Nu-Metal bands in existence. It was a beautiful show and helped me to appreciate the genre more. Make sure to give some love to the album that started it all, The Sickness. I was happy to celebrate the 25th year of this album with everyone at the United Center.