Maximum Metal Reviews

Maximum Metal Rating Legend

5	Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4	Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5	Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3	Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2	Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1	Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0	Terrible - Waste of your life and time.
Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun. Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc. The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.

Band

Disturbed

Title

Believe

Type

LP/EP

Company

Reprise

YOR

2003

Style

Nu/Rapcore

Popular Reviews

3/5/2003 - Review by: Guest

Disturbed released the follow up to their 2000 double platinum debut, "The Sickness," with "Believe," a record which shows the band has greatly progressed and has shown that Disturbed are a force to be reckoned with in the world of metal.

"Believe" hit shelves in September 2002 and went platinum within a couple of months. The album has quite a few contrasts in comparison to its predecessor, "The Sickness." Quite a few electronic and processed sounds were evident on the first LP but on "Believe," that sound is almost completely abandoned leaving the four members of the band to pound your ears with their choppy riffs, brooding bass, thunderous drums and a vocal styling that can best be described as passive agressive.

David Draiman, frontman, shows that he's more than just the "monkey sound" with range, melody and more. Additionally, his aggression comes through in many of the songs on the disc. The blend of which is perfect. The disc itself has an underlying theme, and that theme is belief. Belief in mankind, the world, faith, etc. The idea of unity is heavily portrayed in songs like "Prayer" and "Believe." Other tunes range from a warcry for peace in the Middle East ("Liberate") to what the band likes to call their metal anthem in the song "Rise."

--Alcohollica 3.5.03