This is probably Disturbed's best work (I still haven't decided between this and "Indestructible.") Every song on this album is classic Disturbed, just more matured. A lot of the songs are actually very different for them, yet they keep their same sound. Disturbed is one of the only bands that I know of that have only bettered their sound, not completely changed it. That is a sign of true talent. This album experiments, it pulls their signature sound, and it's incredible! This band has always done amazing work. They've been my all-time favorite band since "The Sickness." On this cd, John Moyer, the bassist, has his moments to shine, which is something we haven't heard much of in the past. Dan's guitar layerings are fantastic, along with his solos. Mike's drumming is phenomenal. He's really pushing the envelope with his chops. David's vocals and lyrics are emotional, angry, and best of all, outstanding. I don't think he's ever sounded better. On every song you feel his emotions whether they're anger, hurt, or "animalistic." I really like how almost every hard rock album (Stone Sour, A7X, Disturbed) this year, are all progressions of the bands, and show real emotion, stay true to the band, and they all take you on a journey, Asylum especially.
1./2. - Remnants/Asylum 5/5 - This is a great start to the album. A very different approach, with an instrumental beginning, building into the "Breaking down of the doors, of the 'Asylum.'" The main riff kicks off, leading in to an old-school Disturbed song. The lyrics are perfectly written for this song.
3. The Infection 5/5 - A very different song. It's got different guitar and vocal work. Very melodic, and very fanstastic. It also has one of my favoirite guitar solos on the album.
4. Warrior 4/5 - A straight forward and solid "fight song." The guitar is very punchy, and David gets nice and angry.
5. Another Way to Die 5/5 - Again, a different approach to a song. It starts off slowly moving, so you're not sure where the song will lead, then it kicks in and pulls off some killer riffs and vocal work. I love the vocal harmonies. Though I'm not completely on board with the whole "global warming" issue, it's still very well written, and it makes you think.
6. Never Again 4/5 - The lyrics for this song are outstanding. He wrote perfectly about the haulocaust, and how close the subjet is to him. The only con, is that the music itself is a little repetitive.
7. The Animal 5/5 - This song is very dark, and menacing. It instantly makes you picture a werewolf, even before that subject matter is made obvious. The rhythm is very very catchy.
8. Crucified 5/5 - This song is truly beautiful. You can hear and feel David's emotion very vividly. The chorus is what sets this song apart from others. It's just perfect. The harmonies fit perfectly, and the notes send shivers down your spine everytime. David's vocal range is amazing in this song. Though it's about a girl, it doesn't come off as a sappy love song, as NONE of Disturbed's other relationship songs have. Truly an epic sounding song.
9. Serpentine 5/5 - Another song where they tried something new and succeeded. The intro has fantastically layered guitar work, and the chorus is very well harmonized. I love how the lyrics match the songs melody to a "T."
10. My Child 5/5 - This song is very emotional. You can hear the pain in his voice during the chorus. That is a lot of talent there, to convey your exact emotions wihout over or under-doing it. Great song.
11. Sacrifice 5/5 - This song starts with a "Pantera-style" riff, then bursts into instantly recognizable Disturbed. Another great display of vocals, and the chorus to me, is just fun. The harmonies are outstanding.
12. Innocence 5/5 - A very true, and correct song. He's singing about how flawed our justice system is. It's a very furious song, and it gets yur heart going. The breakdown is menacing, dark, and almost creepy. Amazing end to an epic album.
13??? - But wait...yes, Disturbed covered U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." 5/5 - Not the song itself, but Disturbed's take on it. It's vey well done and David shows his vocals can go anywhere. Great cover song.
The live tracks are live tracks. Their great recordings, but no sense in rating the already very well rated songs.
The DVD: Also amazing. It's a perfect chronicalization of Disturbed's history, and a great gift to the fans. It flows seemlessly, and the Intro sequence is done superbly. I looks like an intro to a actuall epic movie. Very worth it.
Overall, the album is amazing. Full of signature Disturbed, and full of some surprises. Not a single filler, but then again, they've never had fillers. It's definitely their darkest, and even David's vocals have a dark and haunting tone through most of the record. It really bothers me when people say all of their songs sound the same. They have the same sound and style, but they evolve and keep it fresh each time. They just get better and better. But those people don't take the time to actually listen. And the jokes about "Down With The Sickness?" That was 10 years ago. Try giving them a real shot. That song is one of the most influencial and original songs of the past decade, anyway. This album is proof that they are the greatest Hard Rock band ever, and debuting at No.1 for the fourth straight time shows that they're still very relevant and amazing. They improve and mature their sound everytime and thier live show is unbelievable. This album feels like an asylum, because of the emotion the music evokes, the haven that Disturbed is through their music, and how insane it sounds at some points. Very well done. This album is a perfect showing of maturity, talent, and commitment to true hard rock and metal. Disturbed is by far the best. This album is definitely the best of the year for anything music related. Disturbed rules!