Evolution
by Disturbed
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Oct 19, 2018
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Kerrang!
    Oct 18, 2018
    60
    They might have over-egged the acoustic balladry here, leading to their airiness unbalancing the syncopated beefiness elsewhere, but it's delivered so slickly and confidently that few fans will care. [20 Oct 2018, p.55]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. AllMusic
    Oct 18, 2018
    60
    Wwhile it's hard to argue that Evolution lives up to its moniker, the familiarity of the architecture is lent considerable gravitas by the overall execution, which as per usual, leaves nothing but perspiration in its wake.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Oct 22, 2018
    46
    The frustrating desire for something daring or interesting is never satiated. To be blunt, Evolution is essentially a blander version of Immortalized, which was the flavourless porridge version of Asylum, which was the graham cracker version of Indestructible. Even the song titles are uninspired.
  5. Exclaim
    Oct 18, 2018
    40
    Evolution certainly doesn't sound like anything they've done before. At best, Evolution could add a few more bangers to their roster and slip by unnoticed. At worst, it could knock the band down to Creed levels of self-parody.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 18, 2018
    40
    'The Sound of Silence', the Simon & Garfunkel cover, is easily the best song on the record, despite Draiman singing his parts like he’s The Count from Sesame Street.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed Album of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 44
  3. Negative: 10 out of 44
  1. dnfm
    Oct 24, 2018
    3
    Mostly a snore-fest.

    'Evolution' is probably the right name for this album. Because they've evolved. Unfortunately, the evolution was a    Mostly a snore-fest.

    'Evolution' is probably the right name for this album. Because they've evolved. Unfortunately, the evolution was a regression.

    Presumably due to the new found fame that came with their cover of Sound of Silence, Disturbed has learned they can make a lot more cash by going softer. And that they did -- despite it being their weakest attribute.

    There are a few songs, like, "Are You Ready?" and "No More" that are tolerable, but overall, this album is a huge miss. They've walked away from the sound that made them in the first place.

    I suppose after 6 solid albums, they were due for a turd. Here's hoping they learn from this and the next one is better.    … Full Review »
  2. rahonejm
    Nov 23, 2018
    6
    It's like the band listened to an acoustic guitar for the first time and decided to do an entire album with it. Disturbed's slow songs haveIt's like the band listened to an acoustic guitar for the first time and decided to do an entire album with it. Disturbed's slow songs have always been their weakest part. Luckily there wasn't many throughout the years, but it seems like The Sound of Silence's success really got to their head. When going through this album, you'll go through this up and down stream of "oh wait, this is a good song" and then "oh, no, not another sad song". It doesn't make any sense. It's like you have 6 Disturbed songs and 8 Nickelback songs mixed in and thrown together to make a compilation. Calling this album "Evolution" is a far cry from the reality. Changing styles is not evolution if this change means focusing on your weakest parts. The saving grace, though, is that the good songs from the album are actually good - the standard of quality you can expect from Disturbed. Too bad they're the minority here. If you want to feel sad and depressed, this album is for you. And there's this weird electronic remix of one of the songs that just makes it feel like they wanted as many different styles in there just for the sake of it.… Full Review »
  3. 0Mismatch
    Oct 21, 2018
    9
    I feel like this album gets some undeserved criticism. Disturbed chose a different path this time around, hence the name Evolution. ItI feel like this album gets some undeserved criticism. Disturbed chose a different path this time around, hence the name Evolution. It features a lot of smaller experimental elements, which adds a deeper musical layer to the tracks.
    Most of the songs are calm, but with a lot of power behind the lyrics and feelings involved.
    Meanings delivered through songs on the album feel genuine and fit quite well to the musical tone of each respective song.
    David Draiman's voice really shines though and he delivers a wide variety of vocals throughout the album.
    My personal opinion is that Evolution is better than their last album Immortalized. Even though they took a step in a different direction, it feels like the right one.
    A band cannot keep doing the same if the want to evolve.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »