Divisive (album)

{{Use American English|date=November 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox album | name = Divisive | type = studio | artist = [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] | cover = Divisive (Disturbed album).jpg | alt = | released = November 18, 2022 | recorded = 2022 | studio = {{Plainlist| *East Iris Studios ([[Berry Hill, Tennessee]]) *25th Street Recording Studios ([[Oakland, California]]) *FMG Recording Studios ([[Orland Park, Illinois]]) }} | genre = *[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]] *[[alternative metal]] *[[hard rock]] | length = 37:55 | label = {{hlist|[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]}} | producer = [[Drew Fulk]] | prev_title = [[Evolution (Disturbed album)|Evolution]] | prev_year = 2018 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | type = studio | single1 = [[Hey You (Disturbed song)|Hey You]] | single1date = July 14, 2022 | single2 = [[Unstoppable (Disturbed song)|Unstoppable]] | single2date = September 23, 2022 | single3 = Bad Man | single3date = November 18, 2022 | single4 = Don't Tell Me | single4date = November 7, 2023<ref>{{cite magazine |title=DISTURBED Films Music Video For 'Don't Tell Me' Song Featuring HEART's ANN WILSON |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/disturbed-films-music-video-for-dont-tell-me-song-featuring-hearts-ann-wilson |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 9, 2024}}</ref> }} }} '''''Divisive''''' is the eighth studio album by American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]]. Produced by [[Drew Fulk]], it was released on November 18, 2022, via [[Reprise Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/disturbed-announces-new-album-divisive-shares-unstoppable-single|title=DISTURBED Announces New Album 'Divisive', Shares 'Unstoppable' Single|date=September 23, 2022|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref>

The first single from the album was "[[Hey You (Disturbed song)|Hey You]]", which was released on July 14, 2022. In regards to the sound of the single, it is said to be similar to the band's earlier albums such as ''[[The Sickness]]'' and ''[[Ten Thousand Fists]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/disturbed-new-single-hey-you-listen|title=Disturbed's new single Hey You is a 'wake up call': "We've become our own worst enemies"|first=Rich|last=Hobsonpublished|date=July 14, 2022|website=loudersound}}</ref> A promotional single called "[[Unstoppable (Disturbed song)|Unstoppable]]" was released on September 23, 2022, along with the details for their upcoming album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/disturbed-announce-eighth-album-divisive-3317988|title=Disturbed announce new album 'Divisive', share new single 'Unstoppable'|first=Katie|last=Conway-Flood|website=[[NME]] |date=September 27, 2022}}</ref> With a run time of 37 minutes and 55 seconds, It is the shortest Disturbed album to date. It is the final Disturbed album to be released through Reprise Records.

== Background and recording == As early as October 2020, frontman [[David Draiman]] stated that he wanted new Disturbed music to be "blisteringly angry", considering everything going on in the world with the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/david-draiman-saul-interview-new-disturbed-material-angry/|title=David Draiman: New Disturbed Material Will Be Blisteringly Angry|first=Lauryn|last=Schaffner|website=Loudwire|date=October 23, 2020 }}</ref>

Back in April 2022, Draiman took to his [[Instagram]] page to a share a photo of a whiteboard to his fans and followers suggesting that the album has been completed, in that photo, which has now been deleted, a list of approximately ten songs can be seen, all marked with an "X" symbol, which had initially led to speculation by fans that the album is a covers album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/disturbed-has-apparently-finished-recording-a-new-album/|title=DISTURBED Has Apparently Finished Recording A New Album|date=April 10, 2022|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>

[[Ann Wilson]] of [[Heart (band)|Heart]] appears on the album on the song titled "Don't Tell Me". According to Dan Donegan, Ann is David's favorite female hard rock singer. After Ann sent out a tweet saying she was "inspired" by the band's cover of "The Sound of Silence", David reached out to Ann to thank her and they developed an online friendship. After the demo of "Don't Tell Me" had been recorded the band felt like it needed a female voice, and they thought Ann would be perfect. David reached out to her to ask if she would appear on the record, and the band was delighted when she said yes. In many interviews band members have stated they are "humbled" to have such rock royalty appear on the album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2022-09-24 |title=DAN DONEGAN On DISTURBED's Collaboration With HEART's ANN WILSON: 'It Was A Really Magical Moment' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dan-donegan-on-disturbeds-collaboration-with-hearts-ann-wilson-it-was-a-really-magical-moment |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

"Hey You" topped the [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock]] Airplay chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/disturbed-dan-donegan-album-divisive-interview-1235162550/|title=Disturbed's Dan Donegan: Upcoming Album 'Divisive' a 'Bit of a Wake-up Call [to] Reflect on How Crazy We're All Acting'|first1=Bryan|last1=Reesman|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 28, 2022}}</ref> A song titled "Bad Man" began radio play on Octane by November 15, and the song's meaning was inspired by the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/disturbeds-new-song-bad-man-was-heavily-influenced-by-situation-in-ukraine | title=DISTURBED's New Song 'Bad Man' Was 'Heavily Influenced' by 'Situation in Ukraine' | date=November 14, 2022 }}</ref>

At 37 minutes and 55 seconds, ''Divisive'' is the shortest studio album to be released by the band. It also features their shortest full song, "Won't Back Down".

==Reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 59/100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/divisive/disturbed|title=Reviews for Divisive by Disturbed|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/divisive-mw0003822251 | title=Divisive Review by TiVo Staff | website=[[AllMusic]] | date=December 3, 2022 }}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Blabbermouth.net|Blabbermouth]]'' | rev2score = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/divisive | title=Divisive | date=November 13, 2022 }}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' | rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>If you've been yearning for the days when David Draiman shrieked like a nu-metal chimpanzee-cum-wolverine, then Divisive is the album for you. [Dec 2022, p.75]</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Kerrang!]]'' | rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-disturbed-divisive | title=Album review: Disturbed – Divisive | date=November 18, 2022 }}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Melodic (magazine)|Melodic]]'' | rev5score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.melodic.net/album/disturbed-divisive|title=Disturbed - Divisive|website=[[Melodic (magazine)|Melodic]]|last=Roth|first=Kaj|date=December 5, 2022|access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/disturbed-divisive-album-review | title=Disturbed's Divisive: David Draiman weighs in on the culture wars on powerful new album | date=November 11, 2022 }}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Sputnikmusic]]'' | rev7score = 3.3/5<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/85896/Disturbed-Divisive/ | title=Disturbed - Divisive | date=November 18, 2022 }}</ref> | rev8 = ''Wall of Sound'' | rev8score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2022/11/11/disturbed-divisive-album-review/ | title=Disturbed – Divisive (Album Review) | date=November 11, 2022 }}</ref> }}

''Divisive'' received mixed to positive reviews from critics. In a review published on ''Wall of Sound'', reviewer Ricky Aarons wrote: "Overall, Disturbed's new album is a pretty good record. Is it great? That decision may be divisive." He went on to praise the heavier approach on the album.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2022/11/11/disturbed-divisive-album-review/ | title=Disturbed – Divisive (Album Review) | date=November 11, 2022 }}</ref>

Another review came from Kris Peters from ''Heavy Magazine'': "Yes, Disturbed will always continue to do what they want musically, but don't ever think that means they are going soft. A welcome, if not completely triumphant, return!"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://heavymag.com.au/disturbed-divisive/ | title=DISTURBED: 'Divisive' | HEAVY Magazine | date=November 11, 2022 }}</ref>

Joe Daly of ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' gave the album a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in a review published on ''[[Louder Sound]]''. He said, "Polarising or not, Disturbed have reasserted their claim to the modern metal throne and ''Divisive'' will surely delight their existing fans, while picking up a few more along the way."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/disturbed-divisive-album-review | title=Disturbed's Divisive: David Draiman weighs in on the culture wars on powerful new album | date=November 11, 2022 }}</ref>

[[Blabbermouth.net]] gave the album a rating of 8.5/10.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/divisive | title=Divisive | date=November 13, 2022 }}</ref>

== Track listing == All songs written by Disturbed, except where noted. "Don't Tell Me" appears as the first track on the [[Spotify]] release of the album.

{{Track listing | headline = ''Divisive'' track listing | title1 = [[Hey You (Disturbed song)|Hey You]] | length1 = 4:28 | title2 = Bad Man | writer2 = {{hlist|Disturbed|[[Drew Fulk]]}} | length2 = 3:22 | title3 = Divisive | length3 = 3:58 | title4 = [[Unstoppable (Disturbed song)|Unstoppable]] | length4 = 3:58 | title5 = Love to Hate | length5 = 3:36 | title6 = Feeding the Fire | writer6 = {{hlist|Disturbed|Fulk}} | length6 = 4:19 | title7 = Don't Tell Me | note7 = featuring [[Ann Wilson]] | writer7 = {{hlist|Disturbed|Fulk}} | length7 = 4:31 | title8 = Take Back Your Life | writer8 = {{hlist|Disturbed|Fulk}} | length8 = 2:58 | title9 = Part of Me | length9 = 3:53 | title10 = Won't Back Down | length10 = 2:52 | total_length = 37:55 }}

== Personnel == '''Disturbed''' *[[David Draiman]] – lead vocals *[[Dan Donegan]] – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals *[[Mike Wengren]] – drums, percussion, backing vocals *[[John Moyer]] – bass, backing vocals

'''Additional musicians''' *[[Ann Wilson]] – vocals (on track 7)

'''Additional personnel''' *[[Drew Fulk]] – production, mixing, engineering *[[Ted Jensen]] – mastering *Jeff Dunne – mixing *Trent Woodman – mixing and engineering assistance *Jace Mann – additional engineering (on track 7) *Paul Murphy – additional engineering (on track 7)

== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for ''Divisive'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2022) ! scope="col"| Peak position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2022-11-28|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|date=November 28, 2022|access-date=November 25, 2022}}</ref> | 5 |- {{album chart|Austria|11|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 30, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|57|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 27, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|152|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 27, 2022}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|9|artist=Disturbed|rowheader=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}} |- ! scope="row"| Croatian International Albums ([[Top of the Shops|HDU]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-48-tjedan-2022/#|title=Lista prodaje 48. tjedan 2022. (21.11.2022. – 27.11.2022.)|date=November 23, 2022 |language=hr|publisher=[[Top of the Shops|Top Lista]]|access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> | 7 |- {{album chart|Netherlands|78|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 26, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Greece|51|M|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html|title=IFPI Charts|work=ifpi.gr|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=December 16, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Finland|15|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 27, 2022}} |- {{album chart|France|150|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 27, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Germany|9|id=508650|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 25, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Hungary|12|year=2022|week=48|rowheader=true|access-date=December 9, 2022}} |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2022-11-25|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=November 28, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref> | 7 |- {{album chart|Poland|37|id=1468|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|13|date=20221125|rowheader=true|access-date=November 25, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|11|artist=Disturbed|album=Divisive|rowheader=true|access-date=November 28, 2022}} |- {{album chart|UK2|17|date=20221125|rowheader=true|access-date=November 25, 2022}} |- {{album chart|UKDigital|4|date=20221125|rowheader=true|access-date=December 10, 2022}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|2|date=20221125|rowheader=true|access-date=November 25, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|13|artist=Disturbed|rowheader=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}} |- {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Disturbed|rowheader=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}} |- {{album chart|BillboardDigital|1|artist=Disturbed|rowheader=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}} |- {{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Disturbed|rowheader=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|3|artist=Disturbed|rowheader=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}} |}

===Singles=== {|class="wikitable" |- !Year !Song ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Mainstream Rock (chart)|US Main.]] <ref name="AllMusic - Ten Thousand Fists">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/disturbed/chart-history/rtt/ |title=Disturbed Chart History: Mainstream Rock |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Rock Songs|US Rock]] <ref name="BB-Rock Songs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/disturbed/chart-history/rka/ |title=Disturbed Chart History: Rock & Alternative Songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hard Rock Digital Song Sales|US Hard Rock Digital]] <ref name="HR Digital Songs">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/disturbed/chart-history/hrd/|title=Disturbed Chart History (Hard Rock Digital Song Sales)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref> !scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Canadian rock/alternative chart|CAN Rock]] <ref name="CANrock">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/disturbed/chart-history/car/|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231118222406/https://www.billboard.com/artist/disturbed/chart-history/car/|archive-date=2023-11-18|title=Billboard Canada Rock: Disturbed Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 27, 2025}}</ref> !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|CZE Rock]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/21/disturbed/hey-you/169587|title=Disturbed - Hey You: CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock|website=hitparada.ifpicr.cz|access-date=August 7, 2023}}</ref> !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|[[The Official Finnish Charts|FIN]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/disturbed/|title=Suomen virallinen lista – Artistit – Disturbed|publisher=[[Musiikkituottajat]]|access-date=December 26, 2025}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ Hot]] <ref>Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart: * "Hey You": {{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2022-07-22|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=July 25, 2022|access-date=July 25, 2022}}} * "Bad Man": {{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2022-07-22|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=November 28, 2022|access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2022 |"Hey You" | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|6 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|32 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|97 | style="text-align:center;"|33 |- |"Bad Man" | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|7 | style="text-align:center;"|10 | style="text-align:center;"|32 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|38 |- |rowspan="2"|2023 |"Unstoppable" | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|7 | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|29 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|67 | style="text-align:center;"|— |- |"Don't Tell Me" | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

[[Category:2022 albums]] [[Category:Disturbed (band) albums]] [[Category:Reprise Records albums]]