David Draiman, the frontman of the iconic rock band Disturbed, has been in the spotlight recently, not just for his music, but also for his inspiring journey of physical and mental transformation. This article delves into Draiman's weight loss, his openness about mental health struggles, and his reflections on a career that has cemented Disturbed's place in rock history.
A Physical Transformation: "Down With The Fitness"
In early July, David Draiman, who was born on March 13, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York, took to social media to share a significant milestone: he had reached 180 pounds, a weight he hadn't seen since the mid-2000s. The 50-year-old singer, who migrated to Miami, Florida in early 2022 after a stint in Honolulu, Hawaii for a few years, revealed that he had lost 34 pounds since starting his weight loss journey in January. Posting a shirtless selfie, Draiman declared he was now "in shape to kick everyone's asses this summer," using the hashtag #DownWithTheFitness. This transformation coincides with Disturbed's ongoing promotion of their album "Divisive."
Reflecting on a Towering Career
As Disturbed celebrates the 20th anniversary of their debut album, "The Sickness," Draiman has been reflecting on the band's journey. "The Sickness," released in 2000, spawned hits like "Stupify" and "Down With the Sickness," earning 5x platinum RIAA certification. The band is attempting to reinvent their live show, framing it around 20 years of "The Sickness." Draiman explains what it means to lead one of the most successful bands in 21st Century hard rock, the voice behind five consecutive No.
Draiman reminisced about the early days of Disturbed, recalling how he joined the band after seeing an advertisement in the Illinois Entertainer magazine. He was in college, at Loyola University of Chicago, and jamming with a couple of guys. It was okay, but they had their own commitments. So I started auditioning. It must’ve been like 30, 40, 50 auditions. It was a lot. He described the initial culture clash between his "Loyola college student, North side stoner mode" look and the band's "Skid Row" appearance. Despite their differences, their musical chemistry was undeniable. They started playing a piece of music, and it really was just heavy and rhythmic, it instantly grabbed me. He figured out a melody that was appropriate, and a cadence that was appropriate - and I had a lyric that I had written for another song that I could kind of use for it. And a song that nobody expected to happen happened that day.
Draiman also shared the story behind "Down With the Sickness," revealing that the label and producer Johnny K initially didn't understand the rap section. He describes it as a display of raw emotion, an analogy that many fans have used for their own cathartic purposes. The tragic part is just how that little section ends up making my poor, sweet mother feel. It’s not like my mom actually beat the hell out of me when I was a kid.
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Draiman acknowledged the significance of Ozzfest in Disturbed's formative years, calling it a training ground and a launching pad for young hard rock and metal bands.
When asked about the spiritual and theological elements in his lyrics, Draiman described himself as a spiritual person, but not religious. He believes in a higher power and a balance.
Draiman, who was a triple major at Loyola (business administration, philosophy and political science) before joining Disturbed, is an avid reader, constantly seeking information and news.
He also addressed the challenges of creating a setlist that satisfies fans who joined at different points in their career. They want to hear what they fell in love with. There’s definitely new production elements that we’re toying with, that are elements that we’ve maybe used during The Sickness era, but that we’re doing in a new and more provocative way.
Mental Health Advocacy
Draiman has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, often prefacing Disturbed's song "A Reason to Fight" with a conversation about mental health and the loss of fellow musicians like Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington to the disease.
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He has spoken about the weight and responsibility that comes with knowing his music has touched so many people, acknowledging the overwhelming nature of that connection and dependence. When somebody says to you, and they mean it - “your music saved my life” - it’s on one hand, you can’t possibly imagine for anything more fulfilling. And on the other hand, it kicks you in the gut, too. It’s like, “Oh my god, what happened to you? I’m so glad that it helps,” but it’s a constant reality check of sorts, of how many people suffer from this kind of thing. He finds performing "A Reason to Fight" as a massive group therapy session. Oh, there’s nothing in the world like it, brother. I’ve said this before, it doesn’t compare to any pleasurable experience in creation. It really doesn’t. You can’t accurately describe it. You can’t accurately relay what it feels like to anybody, because unless you felt that yourself, it’s impossible to know. All of that energy channeled into one person from thousands is incredible. Then, you’ve been given the gift of being able to focus that energy and projected back out to them. That constant circle, that symbiotic relationship that just keeps going. It’s amazing.
Draiman shared his frustration with the difficulties of finding adequate mental health services, recounting his own struggles to get help during a low point in his life, following a divorce and mourning the loss of a pet. He described the process as "un-fucking-believably frustrating," criticizing the lack of availability, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the financial barriers. He concludes, "It shouldn't be that hard. … It shouldn't be as much of a business as it is."
In May, Draiman assured fans he was "not going anywhere" after a tearful onstage confession about his mental health struggles. He thanked fans for their support after clips from such speeches made headlines. The demons that are known as addiction and depression are very, very real. They are diseases no different than cancer. You can't see depression. You can't see addiction. It festers inside. It metastasizes, takes over your body.
During another show, he explained, "I'm tired of losing everybody I love to depression and addiction. Every single band member on this stage has dealt with those feelings, with those demons. And I miss the friends that we've lost. I miss Chester [Bennington], I miss Scott [Weiland], I miss Chris [Cornell]. And if I can be completely honest with you, a couple months ago, I almost joined them."
Maintaining Vocal Ferocity
Draiman's powerful vocals are a defining characteristic of Disturbed's sound. He attributes his vocal longevity to a disciplined lifestyle, especially when preparing for tours. It’s intensive, laborious, and all-encompassing. When I get ready to go on the road, I’m a monk. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I can’t eat three to four hours prior to performance. I can’t eat two to three hours prior to going to bed. He has to watch his diet because he has acid reflux disease, for which he takes medication. He acknowledges that maintaining his vocal technique requires constant practice and discipline. The techniques that are involved to go from slow to fast, and hard to soft, and smooth to rough as often and as quickly as I do are difficult ones to master.
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Disturbed's Enduring Legacy
Draiman reflected on Disturbed's career, expressing gratitude for the unique connection he shares with his bandmates. It’s too unique when you finally run into the people that you truly were meant to create with, and you can’t get second guess that, and you can’t undervalue what that means. It’s huge. He acknowledged the value of their individual experiences working with other musicians, but emphasized the strength of their collective bond. Sometimes you’ve got to leave something to realize how much you appreciate it, right?
Disturbed's latest album, "Divisive," was released in November of last year. It was recorded earlier that year in Nashville, Tennessee, with producer Drew Fulk (known for his work with MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, LIL PEEP, HIGHLY SUSPECT).
Navigating Personal Life
Draiman has also been navigating personal challenges, including a divorce. Back in May, some screenshots of a Tinder profile featuring photos of Draiman started making the rounds. The singer confirmed the profile was real and shared about his Tinder experience, " … I’ll tell you, it’s been weird so far. Lots of scammers. Trying to figure out how to navigate this new terrain."