What makes The Sickness by Disturbed notable?

The Sickness debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified multi-platinum in the United States, reflecting its significant commercial impact. The album’s lead single, 'Down With the Sickness,' became a cultural phenomenon, often featured in films and video games, and helped shape the sound of early 2000s rock. The Sickness marks Disturbed's debut album, released on March 7, 2000. At this point, the band was emerging from the Chicago music scene, having gained traction with their unique blend of hard rock and metal influences. This album set the stage for their subsequent commercial success and solidified their place in the nu metal genre.

Who is The Sickness for?

The Sickness works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, wave-like pacing experiences and intense cathartic release.

How many songs are on The Sickness?

The Sickness has 17 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

The Sickness

Disturbed · 2000

69 min · 17 tracks · hard rock

Aggressive riffs and visceral lyrics intertwine, defining the raw energy of early 2000s nu metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Down With the Sickness — This track epitomizes the album's aggressive sound and thematic exploration of anger and rebellion. Its iconic opening scream became a defining moment for nu metal.
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Stupify — With its infectious chorus and driving beat, this track showcases Disturbed's ability to blend melodic elements with heavy instrumentation. It effectively captures feelings of confusion and frustration.
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Voices — This song features a compelling narrative about inner turmoil and mental struggle, highlighted by its haunting melodies that contrast with its heavy riffs, making it emblematic of the band's lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The Sickness combines aggressive riffs and dynamic contrasts, establishing a strong presence in early 2000s nu metal.

What we noticed

The first four tracks maintain a high energy level with aggressive guitar riffs and intense vocals, setting a consistent tone.
Several tracks feature a call-and-response vocal style, particularly in 'Down With the Sickness', enhancing the album's visceral impact.
The album includes moments of dynamic contrast, such as the quieter sections in 'Numb' that provide a brief respite from the overall aggression.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
wave-like pacing experiences
intense cathartic release
immersive live performance energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This debut album established Disturbed's reputation and commercial success.
Career context: The Sickness marks Disturbed's debut album, released on March 7, 2000. At this point, the band was emerging from the Chicago music scene, having gained traction with their unique blend of hard rock and metal influences. This album set the stage for their subsequent commercial success and solidified their place in the nu metal genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Godsmack· Five Finger Death Punch· Korn