“A lot of bands, it’s nepotism that gets them anywhere – go to the right party and make the right friends. For us, that wasn’t an option”: How Disturbed defied the odds to become nu metal superstars with The Sickness

Disturbed’s David Draiman sitting in an electric chair in 2001.

Disturbed emerged from the late 1990s nu metal scene to become breakout stars of the new millennium, thanks to the success of their debut album The Sickness. In November 2000, as the band prepared to play their debut UK show, Metal Hammer sat down with the Chicago band to talk success and the state of rock.