David comes from a long line of famous Jewish Cantors. He was being trained in his youth to become one. I guess his heart belonged to a different style of music. He was born to sing this song. Thank you David!!!!

I’ve been listening to, playing and singing this song for 50 years. Disturbed’s version of this song perfectly paints the lyrics for the first time ever. His voice, like the truth, cuts like a knife.

Paul Simon heard Disturbed version and said that David Draymond oh, I know the last name is spelled wrong I voice text, brought tears to his eyes. Paul Simon said David was meant to sing this song

I always liked the original by Simon & Garfunkel, but never paid attention to the lyrics. Fast forward almost 5 decades, along comes Disturbed and David Draiman with their version, and it DEMANDS me to listen! The BEST version of this song by far

For this song Dan Donegan is playing the piano, tho he usually plays lead guitar for Disturbed. The guitar for this song is played by John Moyer, Disturbed's regular bass guitar player..

I couldn't believe he was down with the sickness at the taping!😆😆😆

This is the only song I watch voice coach/music teachers reaction to. The power behind his voice in this song brings the goosebumps. Btw, thank you for what you do. Teachers are underappreciated. Stay safe.

Definitely check out the studio version for an amazing visual story. David is an absolute vocal master. Disturb's cover never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

If you liked the visuals of this, he has a video performance of it that I'm sure that you'll enjoy. The vocal and instrumental is almost exactly like this one, but the video that they put together for it builds even more tension and drama. Not that you have to react to it, but it is worth a watch.

Pure artistic brilliance that most will never appreciate! Absolutely outstanding performance!

So Draiman was not only upset about being sick but he was also pissed that the sound engineer for The Conan O'Brian Show applied autotune/melodyne to David's vocal. You can just make out the characteristic "pops" ever so slightly here and there but David is such a pro you really have to pay attention to catch it...

I think the vocal fry was perfectly timed. It showed the frustration of the possibility of what the lyrics warn us about. It shows the anger that we’ve already reached that possibility as a society.

Oddly, even though he’s sick, I like this version better than the recording.

I'm 73 and this song is way over the top for me, first hearing it on the TV show, "The Blacklist." I immediately had to know who sang it and now they have a new, old fan. What an amazing voice and such a great band. Thier video of this is great too. I've listed to the song a thousand times and watched hundreds of critiques. Your critique is the one I most agreed with and I felt you took the words right out of my mouth. I enjoyed watching your face with emotions as you were listening. Thanks!

I could literally put this on repeat and listen to it uninterrupted for and hour or so. That being said, because he sings it so powerfully I think the music video does a better job of adding the visual to the song. Just my opinion.

I remember the first time I heard this cover. Beautiful

To perform while sick and STILL sound amazing is awesome. He put more grit in this live version so I love it almost better than the recording. Dave is an amazing vocalist and I’m glad ppl realize there’s more there than just the scream/rock version of him.:):)

The vocal fry was added to add to the power and anger of the message. Wake up, people!!! Start listening and break the silence. Great react as always.

Nice reaction! You should watch the official video version too. You know, I’ve seen this at least 100 times and I still get chills EVERY time.

I love that everyone - EVERYONE - has a visible reaction to this cover within 4 to 10 seconds of David singing. It's like a universal test: If someone does not say something, smile, raise an eyebrow, or otherwise show obvious signs of pleasant surprise, they either don't like the song or, more likely, are just very, very reserved.

I love this live version. I have heard the studio version and was brought to tears. I was equally moved with this one, and it is more impressive to me to know that he was sick durinv this and still pulled it of. There are some videos out there if David with Myles Kennedy, of Altar Bridge, doing harmonies similar to Simon and Garfunkle

they are a metal band and i love how they did this song. you could hear the ranges of his vocals even when sick

Best version ever of this song. Ty, for good reaction. Hugs from Sweden.

I listen to this sing every day. And also have spent hours watching reactions. One of , if not the most, emotional reaching songs I've ever heard. And growing up in the 70's that's saying alot. What a voice David Draimen has. God gifted. Moves me to tears each time I hear this. As Paul Simon said...Their version was a warning. Disturbeds' version was the aftermath of ignoring it. Maybe so. Gets more true each day.

Amazing rendition of this song. Not gentle like S&G but raw with passion and just how an angry God would sound if he was trying to give us a message. Brilliant 'reaction' David was awesome.

You really need to see their cover video of this, it will blow you away! It really shows the true meaning of the song in such a powerful way.

This is a very powerful rendition and very moving. Love it.

For the full drama and chills you need to see their video release, the staging, with David's vocals and the background instruments is epic.

I love your reactions because they come with all aspects of music, vocal, instrumental, technique, tone, etc! It comes from someone who just loves music and knows it well!

David Draiman...a voice to die for! A powerful yet soulful voice that can go from warm baritone to angelic tenor, from clear as a crystal to rasp/distortion/vocal fry and back on a dime. He has a timbre in his voice that I've never heard before.....just hauntingly beautiful and pure tonal properties to it! An awesome talent and obvious training to deliver what he does!! Can sing like an angel or the devil ! Loved your reaction and your take on David's performance. Good job! Try "Deceiver", "The Night", "Indestructible", "The Light" and "Violence Fetish" by Disturbed too.

I'm so happy that David is finally being recognized as the great singer that he is! ❤😊

I just found your channel and your reactions have added such emphasis and confirmation to the bands and songs I love so much !!! Thank you !

I know this is an old one for you, but I never get tired of seeing David do this song. But I love I can be a music nerd on your channel. I always listen all the way through but then I LOVE when you pick out the details. I do the same and you teach me a lot about catching things I haven’t before. How David was able to sing with those drums right behind him is insane, he must be playing them lightly because those things will knock you out sitting right in front of them when they hit them hard enough lol….. I won’t admit I know that from being a sax player (at the time) and watching the back row of the band get knocked out of their chairs by the sound off of those lol.

I have watched dozens of reviews of this thing. Yours is excellent. I love your analysis, and find that watching your eyes as you listen, tells me that you are actually listening. Much appreciated!

I always learn so much about the instruments and vocal when I listen to your reactions. Thanks for the education

I am normally here for your Home Free reactions, but I have seen this one a few times and had to watch your reaction! I love Disturbed’s covers of this one. (both live and studio) The way he sings it emotes so much and I love when he added the grit (I know you call it vocal fry). It sounds amazing! i love the old classics of 60’s and 70’s, as well as 80’s and 90’s Rock and Alternative music. I loved your take and reaction to this video!

Love your reviews your so honest and believable. Thank you...And this performance is off the hook for sure, well done.

I know it's been a while since you reacted to this. I think it's the best cover ever. It took a 60 year old song from the 60's and made it so incredibly relatable for this generation. Un frickin amazing.

Quick note, the guitarist (Dan Donegan) that you're talking about that never believed he was good enough to do solos is actually playing piano here. The guy playing the acoustic guitar in this performance is John Moyer, their bass player.

Such a great reaction. I could see how much you appreciated this song by your facial expressions

Yep wow. Love your reaction. Luv from Australia ❤️🎼❤️🎼

Awesome perspective on a Master Piece Performance. And you are correct - hats off to whoever ran the board mixing this live!

Great reaction! Love hearing an expert talk about the technical composition which I know nothing about! I just love the band, love the song, love Conan too! :)

About time. I was waiting for this. And in a White Chapel shirt no less.

Great job on this..one of the best reactions on this song.

I always enjoy your reactions, knowing you come with so much musical knowledge. You have challenged me to listen to music in an entirelybdiffernt way and I have discovered some extremely interesting vocals going on behind the feature performer...thank you! Also, my favorite colour is black 😊

I've watched hundreds of reactions and they all love his simplicity

Best reaction of this, period! And now the words have more meaning.

I laughed when I saw this posted. No way DJ is doing another Sound of Silence reaction!! I’m so glad you did. Yes, he was sick and against his wishes, some auto tuning. Still amazing and one of my favorite covers (along with PTX lolol).

great cover of one my favorite songs, I especially liked the addition of the vocal fries, lots of good things to say about the whole arrangement

It is such an awesome performance and loved your breakdown and discussion of it. I have seen disturbed live twice, but, unfortunately, both were before they recorded this song. Talk to you soon!

David has given us a "Battle Cry" with this song to get off our ass and do something about "The growing silence and indifference" we have about not listening to what the world is showing and telling us or die! Please watch his video on this song to see the imagery more clearly of what he is trying to say! David started as a Jewish cantor and is a classically trained musician but he chose to go into heavy metal--a very rebellious switch but so worth it in this song and yes, I am from the Simon and Garfunkel era whose song to me was just a wish for change but this song is more of a dare to change or die!!

I love watching other people’s reaction to this classic cover. The audience reaction at the end is just the icing on the cake!

Great reaction I agree with everything you said. Thanks😊

Yes to everything you said! My absolute favorite version!

I memorized this song back in the sixties,love this "follow up " version, first the warning now the "weren't you listening to Paul and Art" the first time??

So funny you're coming to this just now. It was this video that started my pandemic induced exploration of youtube and beyond. From Disturbd's SoS to PTX' version and more (what fun there!), from PTX' cover of "when the party's over" led me to Billie Eilish (words can't even...). Along the way I've "discovered" Aurora Aksnes and Angelina Jordan, and so many others. What a long strange trip it's been. Keep rockin' brother.

One of the things I love about this version of the song in general is the use of vocal fry/rasp/distortion as an emotional push in the feeling of the song - it implies anger which for this version (I've seen the statement that the original was a warning and this is a reaction about a million times) just works incredibly well. Additionally as an old school Disturbed fan just the control and switch between the fry and the rich melodic serves to really highlight the skill and talent as a singer DD has.

The official video is worth a watch as well. The visuals are just stunning!

I love this Version ! Best cover I've ever heard 😍 ! Moves the soul. 🤗

Great reaction, and breakdown of the performance! Peace...

Once again the first word at the end of David Drainman’s performance is Wow! I could watch it a million times

When Paul Simon heard this song he downloaded it on to his own phone he was so impressed David arranged and produced everything about this he had the flu and he nailed this song

I LOVE THIS!!!! ❤

I love his cover version with visual story, but mostly his facial expressions that change through out the video!!!

Great reaction! Love the Whitechapel shirt. One of my favorite bands!🤘

Great reaction, brother. One day God will want that voice back!!

One of my favorite covers of this Simon and Garfunkel classic.

It's a thing of beauty! Get ready for a religious experience. Moves me to my very soul!

A 50+ year old song done right by a Heavy Metal Band 5+ years ago!! \m/

Actually, Dan has cut his hair and he is the one playing the piano. Disturbed's songs always have a very deep, meaningful message. Please react to "Hold on to Memories", the live concert video and "A Reason to Fight", also the live concert video. They truly are about helping people and have gained many new fans because of this. The reason their fans are so loyal.

The video of this performance really brings the story to life

Everything is gorgeous let’s keep it. Best assessment ever

I really loved and appreciated this reaction. I agree with a lot of the people in the comments, if you have the time you should also react to the official video. The video provides a deeper, richer feel to the song. But still, his vocals while he is sick are incredible. Also! Whenever you can, if you would, please react to Macklemore and Donna Missals song Over It (the KZfaq greenroom session). I'm really interested in how you would analyze and comment on Donna's vocals in the song.

You should also watch the official video of this cover. It was very well done. The video tells the story along with what he is singing.

This version is the future that needed to happy David's version speaks the truth in so many ways in this version

Best cover EVER...BUT HIS VOICE IS PHENOMENAL!!!!

His voice is amazing❤❤❤😊😊😊

Not many singers that can make you feel what they sing hes truly gifted

Just amazing concentration with those two big bongos next to him.....(sorry timpani ...hehehe) the volume and vibration alone even with ear pieces...amazing live performance.....

Love it that boy can freaking sing wow

I really like the music video as well, the quiet parts feels more reflective and frustration and anger feel more personal, the way they filmed it.

Nice to see the background peeps get their just desserts!

I love how the song just built up.

So glad you finally saw this. Now the you've seen both Disturbed and PTX, how does the song make you feel. S&G is melancholy. Disturbed is very rage. PTX brings hope and light to the message.

The vocal fry adds the intensity to the song that gives it such feeling.

The original ( S And H ) touched the conscience , this version touched the soul . This is my favorite rendition , from a seventy six year old lady .

I saw disturbed on my birthday 2 year ago in Iowa

Disturbed! Yeah👏🏼👏🏼 between this and Pentatonix I get major whiplash. This video sucked me into checking out the rest of their catalog. Considering I’ve NEVER liked hard rock, let alone metal. Thanks to David I now listen to and love songs like…STRICKEN…STUPIFY…PRAYER…and of course, DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS. One more thing. I LOVE the David Draiman bow at the end.

One of the greatest voices of all time

I loved your reactionalysis and I love this song and I really loved this performance, but honestly couldn't stop thinking of how much I missed your Bad-ass axes being behind you. 😆 Love you DJ keep it going. See you tomorrow night. ,✌️💖

Nailed it with the Alice and Chains reference, spot on, brought back some memories. Cheers!

I love the live tympani!!

He music Fam - lest we NOT forget he literally grew-up solo singing Torah in Temple as his father was the Rabi... Now, that’s musical training for ... Viola ! Soothing, Mighty, Majestic and FILLED with a Soul blazing our humanity. Amen to that!

Wow!

Best cover ever.

You need to hear the guitar player in Hold on to Memories! Please listen to it. It is an acoustic Disturbed like you have never heard, pure beauty!

Watched you react to him singing with the video... wanted to see your reaction to this!!

Loved this reaction. Don was the pianist this time on the live version.

David is adding in his angry rasp because its Disturbed, but he specifically did it after the optimistic lyrics (in the higher octave) "Hear my words that I might teach you, take my arms that I might reach you". The next line is "but my words like silent raindrops fell" (ie, no one is taking head to his warning), which is the first type he does a concentrated angry rasp. The most intense is during the next lines about people praying to the neon gods they made.