Disturbed delivered a powerful rendition of “The Sound Of Silence” on Conan.
When you look at different types of music bands, Simon and Garfunkel, known for their folk-rock style, and the heavy metal band Disturbed seem worlds apart. That’s what made Disturbed’s rendition of “The Sound of Silence” so unexpected. But what led to this genre crossover?
Disturbed’s lead singer, David Draiman, shared in an interview that the band doesn’t plan on doing covers in advance. It’s only when they gather to work on an album that they discuss the possibility of adding covers to their lineup. Here’s a live version of “Sound Of Silence” they performed for an audience.
The idea to cover “The Sound of Silence” emerged while working on the Immortalized album. Drummer Mike Wengren brought it up, noting that he often played the song during household chores. Disturbed is known for their intense, sometimes fierce sound. Yet, for this cover, guitarist Dan Donegan pushed for a softer, more melodic approach.
David Draiman’s ability to adapt to this softer singing style isn’t as surprising as it may seem. He trained as a Cantor in his youth, a role involving leading Jewish congregational prayers with song, requiring significant vocal prowess. This background allowed David to tap into a different aspect of his vocal abilities for this cover.
“Immortalized” was a hit, topping charts in the US, Canada, and Australia upon its release in August 2015. The single “The Sound of Silence” also reached number one in the US, garnering positive reviews. The band’s music video on YouTube attracted a huge viewership. Then, before a scheduled live performance on Conan O’Brien’s show, Paul Simon’s manager reached out for David’s email.
David, eagerly awaiting a response, was thrilled when Paul Simon himself emailed him, praising his performance on Conan. The acknowledgment was a significant moment for David, who excitedly shared the news with everyone around him.
Paul Simon’s endorsement didn’t end with the email. He spoke about Disturbed’s performance in interviews and shared the Conan show clip on his social media. This attention likely contributed to the cover’s music video amassing over 812 million views on YouTube.
The cover has won over fans from both sides — those who love the original and those who follow Disturbed. An 82-year-old fan expressed how the cover was “fascinating, mesmerizing,” showcasing the power of great music to bridge generational and genre gaps, creating a memorable musical experience.
