Disturbed are one of the best alternative bands today. Maintaining an arousing fan-base and consistently surprising and enticing an outsider circle of observers. Last year the band released Ten Thousand Fists which was received very well by both the industry and audiences. The single, a cover of Genesis's "Land of Confusion", saw Spawn creator Todd McFarlane return to animation for the video. Several songs could also be heard second-hand, on releases such as the video game Need For Speed and the film Never Back Down. For a band that has shot through the disintegration of a genre like a lone arrow, what else can they do, other than keep on with a steady output?

With Disturbed the question transforms from one of innovation into one of expression. What do they have to say this time? The thing so appealing about the genre they helped popularize is the outspoken, if not sometimes misdirected, opinions the groups emit. But if innovation can consist of a maturity towards emotion, then I will admit Disturbed have innovated.

Singer David Draimen has revealed several bleak sources for the inspiration of their fourth album Indestructible. Relationships that broke into pieces, a motorcycle accident, a destructive fire, turning Draimen's garage to ashes, Draimen's adolescent heroin addiction, suicide, and touring all lead to the lyrical content and fury present in their latest album. Draimen even told his band-mates, “give me your darkest, nastiest, [most] aggressive tribal rhythmic shit you can.” And so we have Indestructible, Disturbed's statement of perseverance, defiance, and, oddly enough, hope.

Sonically the music on Indestructible won't convert non-listeners and won't disappoint long time fans. The sound is heavier, without a doubt, but the overdriven guitar is ever-present. Guitarist Dan Donegan has plenty of space to show-off some piercing, shredding, soloing chops. New bassist John Moyer and drummer Mike Wengren deliver the nasty tribal stuff. And Draimen sounds healthier then ever, due to surgery for a deviated septum. Some believe the melodies lift the group far above the usual alternative/metal/hard-rock groups, but it comes from the consistency of the sound; Disturbed are getting really good and comfortable playing together as a group.

That would be part of my criticism: where does the band go now? To keep creating music like what's on Indestructible might lead to a stagnation. The band increases the amount of electronic noises and produces the album perfectly, but there seems to be no experimentation; no risks, musically.

My other criticism is the lyrical content, which is also my praise. With Disturbed there is a poignant duality: on the one hand Disturbed are concerned with the state of things and make appeals to the heart, to a sober understanding of anger and the darker side of human beings. At the same time though they call for strength in violence, for example on the title track "Indestructible". This is a song for soldiers on the front, and while it is admirable to be supportive, it is questionable what they are supporting.

On Indestructible the band in evidence performs music which sincerely, without much caricature, tackles issues of struggle. Overcoming that struggle, whatever it might be, seems to be the thread linking the songs. In this they reach new emotional depths. They also, perhaps unfortunately, are crystalizing their sound a little too perfectly.