BY THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.
Buffalo, NY – The multi-platinum-selling, hard hitting quartet, Disturbed unleashed their intense signature sound at KeyBank Center last night, delivering an entertaining, out-of-this-world pyro-filled spectacle that left the nearly capacity filled crowd begging for more. Currently, on the second leg of their “Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour,” the Chicago-based band is celebrating 25 years of their groundbreaking debut album, “The Sickness.” This tour has been very successful for the band. They have been selling out major arenas across North America, including a sold-out show at the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York City last month.
This marked Disturbed’s long-awaited return to Buffalo, their first performance in the city since March 2, 2019. Unsurprisingly, fans were eager to welcome their rock-star heroes back. The wait proved more than worthwhile, as the band delivered a performance that was equal parts nostalgia and raw power. The show was divided into two distinct parts—the first featuring a track by track run through their iconic “The Sickness” album, followed by a second set packed with some of their greatest hits. Band members -David Draiman (vocals), Dan Donegan (guitar, keyboards), Mike Wengren (drums), and John Moyer (bass) commanded the stage with unwavering intensity, making sure Buffalo’s long anticipation was rewarded in full.
With over 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Disturbed has become one of the premier and dominant forces in modern metal. The band has come a long way since forming in Chicago in 1994, evolving from underground sensations to global icons. Through decades of relentless touring, chart-topping albums, and a musical hard-hitting sound that blends intensity, melody, profound lyrics and killer vocals, they have solidified their place at the forefront of the genre.
On this evening, Disturbed took the stage around 9 p.m., following an interesting hype video montage that seamlessly blended striking visual effects with nostalgic early band videos and photos. As the anticipation mounted, a white curtain steadily rose, unveiling the band members along with a bold, intricately designed stage setup—dark, theatrical, and apocalyptic. This backdrop set the tone for a very intense concert experience.
Vocalist David Draiman was wheeled onto the stage wearing a straitjacket and face mask, resembling Hannibal Lecter. He was dressed in a black Department of Corrections jumpsuit and was later unrestrained, marking the start of the show.
Disturbed then slammed into ‘Voices,’ the opening track from their 2000 debut album The Sickness. As promised, the band performed the entire record in sequence. The Sickness has sold over 5 million copies to date in the U.S. and peaked at #29 on the Billboard charts shortly after its release.
One of the highlights of the first set was the band’s hit single “Down with the Sickness.” As Draiman’s signature vocals rang out, the band’s commanding presence sent the crowd into a frenzy. Everyone had their fists in the air, banging, fully immersed in the raw energy of the performance.
Although Draiman was laser-focused on his performance, there was little banter between songs. Aside from occasional calls for fans to raise their fists, his focus remained on delivering a flawless, vocal performance. However, he did take a moment to reflect on the band’s longevity. He paused to say, “Has it really been 25 years?” After a brief pause, he added with a smirk, “It doesn’t feel like it… well, maybe my body does.”
The first set concluded with a dramatic spectacle as Draiman was strapped into an electric chair on stage. As simulated volts surged through his body, blood poured from his head, creating a chilling and disturbing visual. In a burst of energy, he broke free from the chair and launched into a powerful performance of “Meaning of Life,” leaving the audience captivated by the theatrical intensity.
After a short intermission, featuring home video footage from the band’s early years, the second set launched with their new single, “I Will Not Break,” which recently debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, marking Disturbed’s first #1 on the ranking. The energy remained high as they powered through the set, delivering a mix of their best tracks.
One of the most mesmerizing moments of the second set was Disturbed’s performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence.” Draiman’s haunting vocals gave the song an intense emotional weight, while guitarist Dan Donegan’s piano playing added an eerie beauty. As the song reached its peak, flames erupted from the piano top, heightening the atmosphere and creating a truly unforgettable concert experience.
For many fans, this was their first concert of 2025, and Disturbed made a strategic move by getting an early start. By kicking off their tour before the over-saturation of the late spring and summer concert season, they avoided the crowded competition when nearly every band is on the road, vying for audiences in a tough economy.
Disturbed put together a great and memorable show, once again proving why they remain one of the top acts in hard rock. Their high-energy performance, dramatic stage effects, and top-tier musicianship combined to create an epic concert experience that left fans begging for more. This was a standout live performance that won’t soon be forgotten.
For more on Disturbed please visit https://disturbed1.com/
Opening the show was Nothing More and Daughtry.
Nothing More kicked off the night at 6:30 PM, delivering an energetic 35-minute set that was well received. The band’s lineup featured Jonny Hawkins (vocals), Mark Vollelunga (guitar), Daniel Oliver (bass), and Ben Anderson (drums)—each bringing their own intensity and skill to the stage. Their performance was packed with high-energy moments, featuring standout tracks like “House on Sand,” “Angel Song,” “If It Doesn’t Hurt,” and “Go to War.” Vocalist Hawkins is a dynamic frontman and the band members are top notch musicians. Nothing More is destined to become even more popular as time goes on. They currently have over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Chris Daughtry, who first gained national recognition during the fifth season of American Idol, took the stage at 7:15 PM, delivering a solid hour-long set that was well received by the crowd. As an artist with wide-ranging appeal, Daughtry has uniquely positioned himself as one of the few acts who can seamlessly open for both hard rock giants like Disturbed and pop rock icons like the Goo Goo Dolls. His versatility was on full display throughout the performance, blending powerful rock anthems with soulful, emotional moments.
The set featured his latest track, “The Reckoning,” giving fans a taste of his new material. He also paid tribute to rock legends with a passionate rendition of Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” One of the most moving moments of the night came when he performed an acoustic version of his hit “Home,” as fans lit up the arena with their cell phones, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. The combination of soaring vocals, strong musicianship, and his ability to connect with audiences made for a memorable performance that showcased his diverse musical range.
Disturbed- setlist 04/04/2025
Voices
The Game
Stupify
Down With the Sickness
Violence Fetish
Fear
Numb
Want
Conflict
Shout (Tears for Fears cover)
Droppin’ Plates
Electric Chair
Meaning of Life (With “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne snippet)
2nd set -Greatest Hits
I Will Not Break
Ten Thousand Fists
Bad Man
Land of Confusion
Indestructible
The Sound of Silence
The Light
Inside the Fire
Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
Leave a comment