The Sickness is the debut studio album by Disturbed, released in March 2000 on Giant/Reprise Records and produced by Johnny K. It is one of the best-selling nu-metal albums of the early 2000s and the record that introduced the band's synthesis of heavy metal riffing, hip-hop-influenced vocal cadences, and the dramatic half-spoken delivery of vocalist David Draiman. Draiman wrote all lyrics; the album's 11 tracks include 'Stupify,' 'Voices,' and the cover of 'Shout 2000' (based on Tears for Fears' 'Shout'), with the lead single 'Down with the Sickness' becoming the band's signature song. 'Down with the Sickness' has been certified platinum as a standalone single and is consistently listed among the defining songs of the nu-metal era, with Draiman's rhythmic vocal patterns and the track's building intensity making it one of the most covered songs in the rock radio catalog. The Sickness has been certified seven-times platinum in the United States and spent over two years on the Billboard 200 after its release, a commercial longevity that exceeded the chart performance of most nu-metal debut albums. The album is the foundational document of Disturbed's career and the record that established the formula, heavy riff, processed vocal, anthemic chorus, they would refine across seven more studio albums.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Voices | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 2 | The Game | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 3 | Stupify | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 4 | Down with the Sickness | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 5 | Violence Fetish | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 6 | Fear | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 7 | Numb | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 8 | Want | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 9 | Conflict | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 10 | Shout 2000 | Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley | Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley | Johnny K |
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| 11 | Dropping Plates | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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| 12 | Meaning of Life | David Draiman | David Draiman, Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, Steve Kmak | Johnny K |
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