Weapons of Mass Distortion

From Scottish Highlanders scaring their enemies with bagpipes to American tanks blasting Metallica to ward off Iraqi insurgents, music has long been used as a weapon in combat zones. Most bands in the corny nü-metal movement used their music as a weapon too — against our collective eardrums and intelligence...

By Michael Alan Goldberg

November 30, 2006

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From Scottish Highlanders scaring their enemies with bagpipes to American tanks blasting Metallica to ward off Iraqi insurgents, music has long been used as a weapon in combat zones. Most bands in the corny nü-metal movement used their music as a weapon too — against our collective eardrums and intelligence. The world fought back, though, and now some of those survivors are searching for other ways to fight their battles. Which brings us to the third Music as a Weapon Tour, headlined by Disturbed. The Chicago band, led by Dave "Ah-wah-ah-ah-ah" Draiman, is evolving toward the classic New Wave of British Heavy Metal template — tough riffs tempered by solid melodies, better guitar solos, and an attempt at compelling vocals. Also on the bill are three other heavy bands trying to distance themselves from their nü-metal foundations: Flyleaf, a female-fronted, Christian-overtoned outfit from Texas that's kinda like Evanescence with balls; Stone Sour, the varnished, occasionally ballad-y side project of Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Jim Root; and Nonpoint, a Spanish/English funk-metal quartet from Florida recently known for covering Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" for the big-screen version of Miami Vice.

Disturbed, Flyleaf, Stone Sour, and Nonpoint perform Tuesday, December 5, at Hard Rock Live, 5747 Seminole Way, Hollywood. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $37.50 to $39.50. Call 954-523-3309, or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

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