At a recent show at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MI, Disturbed frontman David Draiman gave a moving speech about the power of music and its ability to heal people, despite what preconceptions outsiders may have about hard rock and heavy metal.
"All that bullshit people go ahead and spew about hard rock and heavy metal being something that's dark and evil. Such a crock of shit. Don't get me wrong — we have colleagues that like to play the dark and evil character. And you know what? They do it pretty goddamn well. But you know what? They are playing a character. It's not for real. Nobody actually sacrifices anything. No one's actually satanic. It's all a bunch of bullshit. It's called entertainment. And even more than that, it's called therapy. Because, ladies and gentlemen, whether you realize it or not, you are now attending the largest group therapy session you will ever attend in your lives.
"Music is incredibly powerful. Every single nation on the planet, every religion, anything that is meant to stir something in your soul resonates to some melody, to some piece of music. There's a reason for that.
"And you know what? Sometimes you have to write about dark subject matter, because life is full of dark subject matter. And the only way that you can face it and the only way that you can conquer it is by looking it dead in the fucking face. Because whether you know it or not, sometimes darkness can show you the light."
Disturbed have placed a heavy emphasis on community and the importance of music for healing on this tour. Every night of the band's current arena tour, Draiman asks for the house lights to be turned up and speaks to the audience, asking them to indicate if they've struggled with depression or addiction. When people respond, Draiman reminds them that they have a community in music and that these issues are not something to be ashamed of.
In another equally moving speech at a show in Milwaukee, Draiman opened up about his personal struggles with suicide.
"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, 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 bandmember on this stage has dealt with those feelings, with those demons. And I miss the friends that we've lost. I miss Chester [Bennington, singer of Linkin Park], I miss Scott [Weiland, singer of Stone Temple Pilots] I miss Chris [Cornell, singer/guitarist of Soundgarden.]
"And if I can be completely honest with you, a couple 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 that has? Keep 'em up. Now take a look around this arena.
"As you can see my friends, you are not alone."
Disturbed has a tour coming up with Breaking Benjamin and Jinjer. Get those dates below and get your tickets here.
7/11 Denver, CO Ball Arena
7/13 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
7/15 Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
7/16 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre
7/18 Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
7/20 Irvine, CA FivePoint Amphitheatre
7/22 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
7/23 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
7/25 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
7/27 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/29 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
7/31 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
8/1 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
8/3 West Palm Beach, FL iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
8/5 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre (Disturbed only)
8/7 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
8/9 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
8/11 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center (no Breaking Benjamin)
8/12 Syracuse, NY St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
8/15 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
8/18 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center (no Breaking Benjamin)
8/19 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
8/21 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
8/23 Gilford, NH Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
8/26 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
8/27 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
8/29 Maryland Heights, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/30 Tinley Park, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
9/1 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
9/2 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
