CONCERT REVIEW: Disturbed Celebrate 25th ‘The Sickness’ Anniversary In Style With Packed Amsterdam Crowd

It had been a while since Disturbed last played on Dutch soil, but earlier this week, the band finally returned for a major show at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome. Their last visit to the city was in 2019, when they sold out AFAS Live. This time around, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the album that launched them into the spotlight, they set their sights on the much larger Ziggo Dome—and came close to selling it out.

Roughly 13,000 fans made their way to the venue that evening to be part of the celebration, and we were lucky enough to be among them.

As if Disturbed alone wasn’t enough of a draw, the band also brought along thrash metal legends Megadeth to open the night. With Megadeth announcing that their current album cycle may be their last, this tour offered one of the final opportunities to catch the iconic band live. Photographer Eva van den Bosch arrived early to capture their set.

Just half an hour after doors opened, the venue was packed. It became nearly impossible to take two steps without brushing past someone. Disturbed’s show was split into two distinct parts. The first half was dedicated to a full performance of their breakthrough album The Sickness. After a 20-minute intermission, the band returned for a second set featuring their greatest hits, including the widely-shared cover of “The Sound of Silence,” which we’ll touch on in a moment.

The show began with a video projected onto a curtain that separated the stage from the crowd. The screen displayed a clock winding backwards through time, showing clips from the current tour that gradually shifted to older footage, tracing the band’s history all the way back to their early, intimate gigs.

From the moment The Sickness began with opening track “Voices,” the band spared no effort in delivering a high-impact performance. The stage setup was impressive—featuring towering screens, steel scaffolding that periodically burst into flames, and fireworks timed with key moments in the set. When the band took the stage, frontman David Draiman was wearing a straightjacket and muzzle, a striking image captured in the gallery below.

Just before performing “Meaning of Life,” the final track on The Sickness, Draiman appeared once again restrained, this time as an audio recording announced his sentencing. A staged execution by electric chair followed on the catwalk, complete with sparks and theatrical blood. It was intense, visually gripping, and undeniably memorable.

Following the break, Disturbed returned with a set of fan favourites including “Ten Thousand Fists,” “Bad Man,” their latest single “I Will Not Break,” and of course, “The Sound of Silence.” The production remained top-tier, with more pyrotechnics, and even the band’s mascot, The Guy, appearing in giant inflatable form behind the drum kit—a moment that drew loud cheers from the crowd.

One of the standout moments of the evening was the performance of “The Sound of Silence.” The track, which played a huge role in renewing the band’s popularity, is nearing a billion streams on Spotify. Live, it was executed with precision. Draiman’s vocal delivery was among the strongest of the night, accompanied by dramatic percussion and a piano that was literally set on fire. The result was a powerful blend of musicality and stagecraft.

The show wasn’t without controversy. Draiman’s comments on the ongoing Israel conflict led to their scheduled performance in Belgium being cancelled just days before. In Amsterdam, the singer addressed the issue during the show—his full statement can be found on the band’s Instagram.

Take a look at the gallery below to see moments from a night that was as intense as it was unforgettable.