Headliner Disturbed sags in energetic 4-band show

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Apr 24, 2003 by Scott IwasakiDeseret News music editor

"MUSIC AS A WEAPON II," DISTURBED, WITH TAPROOT, CHEVELLE AND UNLOCO, E Center.

Though it was the headliner among several heavy music bands that sonically assaulted the E Center audience Tuesday night, Disturbed, was a letdown.

While the band played a well-oiled and slickly produced set, there was more energy in the audience than onstage.

That's probably because Disturbed's lead singer, David Draiman, isn't a hyper-flamboyant frontman. He would rather strut the stage and let the music kindle the energy.

The problem is, the lead singers for the other bands -- Unloco, Chevelle and Taproot -- all have explosive personalities.

Unloco's Jose Duenas flipped his body around with breakneck speed as his compadres -- guitarist Marc Serrano, drummer Pedro Navarrete and bassist Victor Escareno -- cranked out the ear-shattering dynamics of "Failure" and "Bruises," from the new album "becoming i."

Duenas made use of the small but hearty audience as he jumped into the mosh pit and climbed a barricade on the center floor during "Bruises."

Power trio Chevelle -- the Loeffler brothers: drummer Sam, vocalist/guitarist Pete and bassist Joe -- pounded the sound system with such old favorites as "Port #1" and such new works as "Comfortable Liar."

At first, the drums and bass overrode the guitar and vocals, but as the set continued, the mix found a sonic balance that ended with the title track to the recent album "Wonder What's Next."

By the time Taproot hit the scene, the audience was ready to be rocked. Lead singer Stephen Richards, guitarist Michael DeWolf, bassist Philip Lipscomb and drummer Jarrod Montague nailed the music with a note-flaying set that included "Mind" and "Again & Again."

In keeping with the idea that the audience was part of the show, Richards, without the aid of security, braved the crowds and walked the perimeter of the E Center's Ford Theater, while slapping high- fives and hugging fans before returning to the stage for "Smile" and "Breathe."

Disturbed's set also included a tune called "Breathe," but there was no comparison. While Draiman addressed and praised the audience in lengthy banter, his performance was a bit too cool.

Still, the crowd reacted favorably to the band, which also included guitarist Don Donegan, bassist Fuzz and drummer Mike Wengren.

New crunching works, such as "Intoxicated," meshed seamlessly with such older tunes as "Fear" and the obligatory "Down with the Sickness."

As with Chevelle, it took some time before Disturbed's sound found balance. But it didn't matter to the moshing kids.

They loved every single minute.

E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com