According to a report from Belga News Agency, Disturbed have been barred from performing in the city of Brussels, Belgium next week. The multi-platinum alternative metal band were set to play the Forest National in that city on October 15th as part of their ongoing 25th anniversary touring on their debut album “The Sickness“.
However, given Disturbed vocalist David Draiman‘s avid support for Israel and the backlash he has received over it— in particular his championing of the Israel Defense Forces amid the Israel Gaza war — local authorities have scrapped the concert. That decision came about following a risk analysis run by local police in regards to the concert.
Draiman‘s frequent support of Israel in the aforementioned war has been a controversial issue since he was photographed signing an Israel Defense Force artillery shell back in 2024. While Draiman added the phrase ‘Fuck Hamas’ to that shell, his detractors have taken issue with the reported high civilian casualty rate of that conflict, citing the potential for the shell to have been used on innocent civilians. Others have accused him of warmongering and condoning the genocide of Palestinian people.
Draiman‘s aforementioned gesture has remained a thorny issue since the signing took place. Backlash has included chilly live receptions, and beef with other artists. In light of a police assessment for potential unrest at the Disturbed show, Charles Spapens, the mayor of the Brussels municipality of Forest has made the call to have the show scrapped. Spapens stated:
“My priority and responsibility is the safety of residents, demonstrators, spectators and the staff of Forest National. Given the unfavourable opinion of the police and the unique geographical location of the venue, it was my duty to take this decision.”
The Belga News Agency note that a national strike is planned in Belgium for October 14th, with significant police resources already being designated to accommodate that situation. As such, authorities could be stretched thin if an incident was to occur during Disturbed‘s show.
The remaining dates for Disturbed‘s “The Sickness” 25th anniversary tour with Megadeth include:
10/10 Krakow, POL – Tauron Arena Krakow
10/12 Paris, FRA – Zenith
10/14 Amsterdam, NET – Ziggo Dome10/15 Brussels, BEL – Forest National (canceled)
10/17 Munich, GER – Olympiahalle
10/18 Berlin, GER – Velodrom
10/20 Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham
10/22 Dublin, IRE – 3Arena
10/24 Manchester, UK – AO Arena
10/26 London, UK – The O2
10/28 Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
