Disturbed Is Welcomed Back Home With An Unforgettable Night
The Take Back Your Life Tour brought an impressive lineup to the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL, featuring Ukrainian metalcore band Jinjer, Breaking Benjamin, and Disturbed. Each band delivered unforgettable performances that left the crowd wanting more.
Jinjer took to the stage with their captivating opening song, Perennial, immediately grabbing the attention of the audience. The band showcased their incredible stage presence and intense lyrics, impressing the crowd with songs like Copycat and As I Boil Ice.
Frontwoman Tetiana Shmailyuk's vocals were absolutely electrifying, and Roman Ibramkhalilov's guitar work was top-notch. They commanded the stage and had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands. The current lineup of the band has been together since 2009, and their hard work has paid off as they have been winning awards for their music, including the Best Ukrainian Metal Act in 2013 and 2016. Jinjer set the tone for an amazing night of rock music that was yet to come.
Breaking Benjamin followed Jinjer, and they did not disappoint with their 13-song setlist. The band opened with Failure, and the crowd went wild. Breaking Benjamin's set was filled with hits, including Breath, I Will Not Bow, and they closed it out with The Diary Of Jane. It was a show that reminded us why Breaking Benjamin is one of the biggest names in rock today.
Benjamin Burnley's vocals were spot-on, and the rest of the band rocked out on stage. Breaking Benjamin has had significant lineup changes throughout the years, with Burnley being the only constant member of the band since its inception in 1999. Their hard rock tendencies, angst-heavy lyrics, swelling choruses, and "crunching" guitars have remained consistent despite the changes in personnel.
Disturbed closed the show with a headlining performance that rocked the amphitheater to its core. When the lights finally dimmed and Disturbed appeared on stage, the roar of the crowd was deafening. From the moment they launched into "Hey You,", it was clear that the band was ready to deliver a show that would leave everyone breathless. Disturbed was even awarded the key to Tinley Park, IL, before the show, and it was evident that the hometown crowd was proud of their achievement.
Disturbed's setlist included many of their hit songs, such as Stupify, Down with the Sickness, and Indestructible. David Draiman's powerful vocals and the band's raw energy filled the venue with adrenaline. Dan Donegan, bassist John Moyer, and drummer Mike Wengren were all in top form, effortlessly bringing each song to life and keeping the energy high throughout the entire set. Draiman, Donegan, Wengren, and Moyer are seasoned performers who have honed their craft to perfection over the years. They know how to work the crowd, building up anticipation with every song until the entire arena was filled with electric excitement. The crowd was transfixed by their every move, captivated by the raw power of their performance.
What was most striking about the show was the genuine connection between the band and the fans. Despite their massive success, they remain humble and approachable, always taking time to interact with their fans and show their appreciation for their support. This was particularly evident during the quieter moments of the show when Draiman would address the audience with heartfelt messages about the power of music and the importance of staying strong in the face of adversity. The band's lyrical content has been known to touch on societal issues, and their message was delivered with a fervor that electrified the crowd, but things hit hard when they got to the song “A Reason To Fight”, That’s when David took to the mic & told the hometown crowd about how just recently he too almost lost his life to addiction and depression.
“A reason to fight — we all need one. The demons that are known as addiction and depression are very, very real. They are diseases no different than cancer. You can’t see depression. You can’t see addiction. It festers inside. It metastasizes, and takes over your body and mind, your soul. And I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of losing everybody I love to depression and addiction. Every single band member on this stage has dealt with those feelings, with those demons. And I miss the friends that we’ve lost. I miss Chester, I miss Scott, I miss Chris. And if I can be completely honest with you, a couple of months ago, I almost joined them. Addiction and depression can happen to anyone ladies and gentlemen. No one is immune from it no matter how beautiful their life may look from the outside. No matter how blessed they may seem. It’s out of our control. Now, by a show of hands, how many of you have dealt with the demons of addiction and depression yourself or know someone who has? Keep ’em up. Now take a look around this arena. As you can see my friends, you are not alone.”
When it was time for the Simon & Garfunkel cover of ‘The Sound Of Silence” The crowd grew silent in awe as it was an emotional and haunting performance, with Draiman's powerful vocals sending shivers down everyone’s spine. They closed with “Inside The Fire” and it was clear that this hometown show won’t soon be forgotten.
In the end, the Take Back Your Life Tour was a testament to the enduring appeal of Disturbed. With over two decades of experience and a legion of fans around the world, they continue to dominate the metal scene with their electrifying performances and uncompromising commitment to their craft. For those lucky enough to be in the audience, it was an experience they will never forget - a night of raw power, pure emotion, and above all, great music.
Disturbed Set-List:
Hey You
Stupify
Ten Thousand Fists
Prayer
Are You Ready
Bad Man
A Reason to Fight
Land of Confusion (Genesis cover)
The Vengeful One
The Game
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
Indestructible
The Light
Stricken
Encore:
Unstoppable
Down With the Sickness
Inside the Fire