Disturbed Concert Review Phoenix Arena – Phoenix, AZ 5-15-25
Review and Photos by Roc Boyum
Disturbed’s 25th Anniversary Tour for Their Debut LP The Sickness
Disturbed is currently commemorating the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “The Sickness,” with a world tour in 2025, aptly titled The Sickness Anniversary Tour. The first leg of the tour sees Disturbed lighting up stages across North America, including a sold-out show at the Phoenix Arena (formerly The Footprint Center) on May 15, 2025. The North American leg features powerful support from rock band Daughtry and the dynamic alt/progressive/hard rock/metal group Nothing More, ensuring an unforgettable experience for fans.
During their performance in Phoenix, Disturbed delivered an electrifying show with two sets, separated by a twenty-minute intermission.
The stage arrangement featured a striking metal structure positioned behind the band, made up of both straight and angled beams. At times, these beams burst forth with flames, while at other moments, they served as conduits for bluish lights that cascaded down the columns, resembling falling rain. This stunning display crafted atmospheres that were truly awe-inspiring.
In a captivating display of theatrics just before the show was about to start, all the band members were arranged on stage, eagerly anticipating the arrival of singer Dramain.
As a blanket of fog came rolling across the stage, Draiman was ushered out by what looked like an orderly in front of his band mates, the entire time, he was strapped to a mental institution patient wheeled table in a straitjacket. Once his capturer, released Draiman from his bondage, Draiman stood in a proud and defiant stance while he peeled off the bondage of his leather head and mouth restraint and held it out to the audience; the prisoner was free!
The band kicked off their performance with the first track, “Voices,” from The Sickness LP, and they forged ahead, powering through the entire album’s tracklist with little pause.
The Phoenix stage included a walkway that jetted out into the audience that Draiman immediately forged forward to its end, right up into the army of pumping fists that was the audience.
The first set was a spectacular showcase of lights, fire, and sound, capturing the essence of what a “Big Rock Show” truly embodies!
Even the classic “Shout” by Tears for Fears, included on The Sickness LP, had the audience singing along as Draiman commanded the masses.
To underscore the album’s themes surrounding social issues, discrimination, and personal challenges, the band integrated theatrical elements into their performance. This included a replica of the 1890s electric chair, where Draiman was “electrified” amidst a shower of sparks and a flow of fake blood cascading down his face and costume. The show also showcased multiple costume changes and an impressive array of pyrotechnics.
Set two evolved into a greatest hits showcase, highlighting beloved tracks like “I Will Not Break,” “Ten Thousand Fists,” (which was actually 13,000 to 15,000 pumping firsts) on this night– “Bad Man,” (which included their mascot, “The Guy” as a huge inflatable figure behind the band) – “Indestructible,” “The Light,” and “Inside the Fire.” Additionally, the band ignited the Phoenix audience with two outstanding cover songs. The first was a brilliant rendition of the Genesis classic “Land of Confusion,” featuring a duet with Chris Daughtry, which had the crowd singing along enthusiastically.
Their second cover, a heartfelt rendition of the Simon and Garfunkel classic “The Sound of Silence,” ignited the evening’s most remarkable sing-along. Audience members lifted their cell phones high, creating a truly stunning display. Guitarist Don Donegan joined Draiman at the piano, which occasionally erupted in flames, adding to the spectacle while drummer Mike Wengren filled in with punctuated roars from his tympani drums that further emphasized the song’s emotional drama.
The band’s performance wrapped up with the crowd-pleaser, “Into the Fire,” which transformed the entire backdrop into a stunning display of flames, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Mainstream rock band Daughtry took the stage immediately after the opening act, Nothing More, wrapped up their performance. Prior to this tour, Chris Daughtry had expressed that following Nothing More was somewhat intimidating, considering them a formidable presence. However, Daughtry and his band had no trouble captivating the audience with their unique style of straightforward rock. In contrast to Nothing More and Disturbed, Daughtry’s music features a more polished sound, centered around highlighting Chris Daughtry’s impressive vocal talents, which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.
Throughout their show, the band treated the Phoenix audience to a sampling of their diverse musical offerings, including a glimpse into the future with some new material, as well as their rendition of Journey’s classic, “Separate Ways” (Worlds Apart).
A standout moment in their set occurred when Chris Daughtry engaged with the fans, introducing the song “Home” as the track that led to his record signing and ultimately made his appearance at this show possible. Daughtry delivered an acoustic rendition of “Home,” filling the venue with a sea of cell phones, as the audience showed their appreciation for this talented artist.
The dynamic force known as Nothing More took the stage to unveil their latest release, Carnal, which is currently celebrating three No. 1 singles: “House on Sand,” “If It Doesn’t Hurt,” and “Angel.” On the Carnal LP, David Draiman makes a notable guest appearance on the track “Angel,” lending his voice to convey a powerful message of hope and resilience during challenging times—an issue that resonates deeply with Draiman. When Draiman joined Nothing More on stage for their performance of “Angel,” the audience erupted in cheers. The two vocalists captivated the crowd, encouraging everyone to wave their arms in unison, symbolizing the enduring spirit of humanity even in the face of adversity.
For both the audience and the band performing as the opener, this show stood out from typical opening acts. Disturbed granted NM the opportunity to utilize the sound and lighting systems usually reserved for a main act, resulting in a far superior experience compared to the usual subpar lighting and limited sound typically provided for most opening bands.
Nothing More captivated the audience during their performance with an exhilarating, high-energy show that thrilled devoted fans and welcomed newcomers into the ever-expanding NM family. The concert concluded with a powerful rendition of their classic song, “This is the Time (Ballast). At the song’s conclusion, lead singer Hawkins displayed his drumming skills with a brief solo on stage, then he and bassist Daniel Oliver ran to the front of the stage and into the crowd. Once among the audience, Hawkins had fans raise two drums overhead while he delivered another rapid, intense drum solo that left everyone in awe, creating a memorable experience for all in attendance.
This was an incredible performance by three remarkable bands. Whether you had the chance to see this tour or not, I highly recommend checking out any of these bands as they continue their touring journey throughout 2025.