DISTURBED AT PNC BANK ARTS CENTER IN HOLMDEL
Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Jinjer came together in a blistering display of metal mastery at the PNC Bank Arts Center on August 11, 2023. As a die-hard metalhead, I was in my element from start to finish.
Jinjer kicked things off with a relentless energy that left the crowd in awe (especially myself!). Tatiana Shmayluk's vocals were nothing short of astonishing, alternating between compellingly melodic and deep roars. Their progressive metal riffs were executed flawlessly, from the slaps Eugene Abdukhanov would hit on the bass, to the shredding provided by Roman Ibramkhalilov on guitar. Seeing Vladyslav Ulasevych devour his entire kit… as a drummer it was a simply beautiful sight.
Breaking Benjamin took the stage next and delivered a set that was nothing short of epic. Now for me this was nothing new, but if you haven’t seen Breaking Benjamin in recent years, you are graced with a surprise guest as Ben’s son joins the band in rocking out during their set. Their set started with the two hits "Failure" and "Breath", which had the entire amphitheater singing and rocking along. Ben Burnley's vocals were as powerful as ever and the band's tight performance showed their years of experience, thus proving their right to play alongside and tour with some of the biggest acts, such as this tour’s headlining act.
When the stage curtain dropped and Disturbed appeared, the energy in the venue skyrocketed. The moment David Draiman's iconic voice roared through the speakers during the opening hits “Hey You”, “Stupify”, and "Ten Thousand Fists", the crowd erupted. Disturbed is a band that has this ambiance to them that literally makes their fans go crazy for them. From the engagement with the crowd, to the way they speak and deliver personal messages, and of course the music! Their stage production was visually stunning, with tons of fire and pyrotechnics and some massive LED screens that enhanced the experience.
The setlist was a perfect balance of classics and newer tunes from the bands discography. Guitarist Dan Donegan's shredding skills, John Moyer’s ability to play bass with multiple hand maneuvers, and drummer Mike Wengren's thunderous beats added an extra layer of intensity to every song. This all proving that Disturbed still has the fire to captivate metal fans of all generations.
One thing that truly stood out was the sense of unity among the fans. As David spoke about depression and about speaking out whether you are suffering or know someone who is, fans of all ages and backgrounds came together to celebrate with the power of music. In the end, this concert was a masterpiece in its own. Three incredible bands, each with their own unique style, converged to create an unforgettable night of headbanging, fist-pumping, and pure metal magic. From finally seeing Jinjer for the first time and being blown away, and then seeing two favorites that just keep getting better every time I see them live, it was a night I'll be reliving in my head for years to come.