Sevendust and Three Days Grace got the celebration started early on
Last night, a sold out crowd at the storied Madison Square Garden in New York City bore witness to a monumental night of hard rock and metal as Disturbed celebrated the 25th anniversary of their seminal debut album, The Sickness. The evening was further electrified by dynamic performances from opening acts Sevendust and Three Days Grace, culminating in a sold-out spectacle that underscored the enduring vitality of these genre stalwarts.
Kicking off the night, Sevendust took the stage at 6:25 PM, delivering a performance that set a high bar for the evening.Known for their fusion of nu-metal and alternative metal, the band engaged the audience with their signature heavy riffs and melodic undertones. While specific details of their setlist are not readily available, attendees noted the band’s unwavering energy and connection with the crowd, effectively priming them for the acts to follow.
Three Days Grace graced the stage next, marking their first full performance with original vocalist Adam Gontier in 12 years. This reunion added a layer of nostalgia and excitement, as the band, now featuring both Gontier and Matt Walst as co-vocalists, delivered a robust 12-song setlist that spanned their extensive catalog. Opening with the powerful “Animal I Have Become,” the band seamlessly wove together classics like “I Hate Everything About You” and “Never Too Late” with newer tracks such as “So Called Life” and the live debut of “Mayday.” The dual vocal dynamic brought a fresh intensity to their performance, resonating deeply with longtime fans and newcomers alike.
After an intense hype video that made the energy in the room palpable, Disturbed commenced their set with a theatrical flair befitting the occasion. Vocalist David Draiman was wheeled out in a Hannibal Lecter-style straitjacket, a nod to the band’s edgy aesthetic. Breaking free, they launched into “Voices,” the opening track of The Sickness, and proceeded to perform the album in its entirety—a treat for fans who have cherished the record for a quarter-century. Tracks like “Stupify,” “Down with the Sickness,” and “Violence Fetish” were delivered with raw intensity, showcasing the band’s commitment to honoring their roots.
The latter half of the show transitioned into a “greatest hits” segment, featuring anthems such as “Ten Thousand Fists,” “Indestructible,” and their haunting rendition of “The Sound of Silence.” A standout moment was the collaboration with Three Days Grace vocalists Gontier and Walst on the cover of Genesis’s “Land of Confusion,” symbolizing a camaraderie among the bands that was palpable throughout the night.
The concert was not only a celebration of Disturbed’s landmark album but also a testament to the enduring appeal of the bands that shaped the early 2000s rock landscape. The sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden was treated to a night where past and present converged, leaving an indelible mark on all who attended. As Draiman aptly put it during the performance, “You will remember it all, let it blow your mind again, man.”
