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Formed in Chicago in 1996, Disturbed is an American heavy metal band known for its powerful music and compelling vocals. The group grew out of the earlier band Brawl, which featured guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, bassist Steve “Fuzz” Kmak, and vocalist Erich Awalt. After Awalt left, David Draiman joined in 1996 and the band became Disturbed. The current lineup consists of vocalist David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist John Moyer, who joined in 2004.
Disturbed rose to fame with their debut album The Sickness, released in 2000, which includes the hit single “Down with the Sickness.” Their sound blends hard rock and heavy metal, with complex guitar riffs and robust rhythm sections. The band has released eight studio albums, with Divisive (2022) remaining their most recent full-length release. In 2025, Disturbed released the standalone single “I Will Not Break” on their own Mother Culture Records label while continuing to work on material for a future album. Disturbed has sold more than 17 million units worldwide, and five consecutive studio albums, from Believe through Immortalized, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The band is also known for dramatic reinterpretations of classic songs, most notably their cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.”
Dan Donegan
Dan Donegan is a founding member of Disturbed and played guitar in the band’s predecessor, Brawl, before Disturbed took shape in 1996. He has played a significant role in shaping the band’s sound with his distinctive guitar work and electronic programming and has contributed to all eight Disturbed studio albums. Donegan’s guitar work is marked by heavy riffs and melodic solos, pivotal in songs like “Stupify,” “Stricken,” and “Indestructible.” During Disturbed’s hiatus, Donegan also formed the side project Fight or Flight with drummer Mike Wengren.
Mike Wengren
Mike Wengren is a founding member of Disturbed and was also part of Brawl before the band adopted the Disturbed name. His aggressive drumming style is essential to the band’s sound, with powerful beats and complex rhythms evident in tracks like “Down with the Sickness” and “Ten Thousand Fists.” Wengren has played on all eight Disturbed studio albums and has also contributed to the band’s songwriting. During Disturbed’s hiatus, he joined Dan Donegan in the side project Fight or Flight.
David Draiman
David Draiman joined Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, and Steve Kmak in 1996 after answering an advertisement for a new singer following Erich Awalt’s departure from Brawl. The group soon adopted the name Disturbed. Draiman quickly became a central figure due to his unique vocal style, which includes distinctive staccato bursts and a broad melodic range. He is also one of the band’s principal lyricists, infusing the music with themes of conflict, self-reliance, and the human condition. His powerful voice and dynamic stage presence have made him one of the most recognizable figures in modern metal.
Outside of Disturbed, Draiman formed the industrial metal project Device with Geno Lenardo during Disturbed’s hiatus. Device released a self-titled album in 2013. Draiman has also collaborated with and produced music for other artists.
John Moyer
John Moyer joined Disturbed in 2004 as the replacement for Steve “Fuzz” Kmak. Moyer first performed with the band that year and played on their third studio album, Ten Thousand Fists, before becoming a permanent member during the album’s touring cycle. He has remained Disturbed’s bassist ever since and has performed on every studio album from Ten Thousand Fists through Divisive. Moyer brought a new energy to the band with his bass playing and backing vocals. Apart from Disturbed, he has been involved with bands and projects including The Union Underground, Adrenaline Mob, Art of Anarchy, and Operation: Mindcrime.
Erich Awalt
Erich Awalt was the lead vocalist of Brawl, the band that preceded Disturbed. He performed with Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, and Steve Kmak during the group’s early years and appeared on a Brawl demo before leaving. After his departure, the remaining musicians advertised for a new vocalist, leading to David Draiman joining the group in 1996. Awalt did not record any studio albums as Disturbed.
Steve “Fuzz” Kmak
Steve “Fuzz” Kmak was Disturbed’s original bassist and had also played with Dan Donegan and Mike Wengren in Brawl before David Draiman joined. Kmak played on Disturbed’s first two studio albums, The Sickness and Believe. His bass playing helped lay the foundation for Disturbed’s heavy, aggressive sound that characterized these early releases. His performances on tracks such as “Down with the Sickness” and “Prayer” helped establish the band’s powerful rhythm section.
Kmak and Disturbed parted ways in late 2003. John Moyer joined the band in 2004 and replaced Kmak on bass.
Read More: Top 10 Disturbed Songs
Updated September 2, 2026.
Complete List Of Disturbed Band Members article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026



























