Disturbed - Immortalized

AMERICAN metal band Disturbed have put a lot of emphasis on Immortalized being their comeback album.

The four-piece from Chicago went on hiatus in 2011 after releasing their fourth record, Asylum, and have said the idea was to return when they felt reinvigorated.

But far from their new work feeling fresh, it sounds as if they are stuck in the past.

Everything is here for Disturbed fans to enjoy. Frontman David Draiman's signature growling vocals, the clean, big riffs and the excellent production values.

But Immortalized is an album that offers no progression to the band's sound.

It feels like it could have been recorded 10 or 15 years ago during the 'nu metal' era.

Tastes have largely changed and while other bands from that time like Korn have moved on and are experimenting with new ideas, Disturbed are out of step.

Immortalized's formulaic songs are also likely to hold little lasting appeal for anyone but the loyal fans.

In fairness, the band's inventive track, Never Wrong, bucks this trend but is buried towards the end of the album.

There are a few surprises. The Light sounds like Disturbed's attempt at a pop song with a slower tempo and big chorus.

There is also a strange cover version of Simon & Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence. The metal scene has a habit of paying tribute to classic songs with lots of extra guitar.

But Disturbed's cover is almost as gentle as the 60s original. It remains a great song but a little out of place here.

Fans will be glad to see Disturbed back on the scene, especially the prospect of seeing them again at their high energy live shows.

But do not expect the likes of their quadruple-platinum 2000 debut, The Sickness.