When the year 2000 edition of Ozzfest made it's way across the planet, the guys from Disturbed were veritable unknowns. Their first big hit, "Stupify," was just beginning to impact at rock radio, and the crowds weren't sure what to expect from the Chicago-based foursome. By the time Ozzfest 2000 had ended, Disturbed had changed the meaning of being on the second stage. It no longer meant you were a struggling band trying to make your way. It seemed that when Disturbed hit the second stage every night, as many fans were there to check them out as were at the first stage watching the "bigger" bands.

When the 2001 Ozzfest line-up was announced, it was assumed that Disturbed, by then riding the wave of a platinum record, The Sickness, and three huge radio hits, "Stupify," "Down With The Sickness" and "Voices," would be first stage stars. What the guys did though was to commit to the fans that had brought them to stardom and instead became the headliner on the second stage. Almost single-handedly, they changed what it meant to be on the "other" stage and created almost a competition to be one of the bands on the second stage.

Even after all the success, the guys, singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, bassist Fuzz and drummer Mike Wengren, haven't become spoiled rock stars. They tour relentlessly and are constantly looking for ways to push the envelope at the opening to their set. So far Draiman has been zapped in an electric chair, he's brought out in a straight jacket and the band even put together an intro film that charts humanity's various atrocities against itself. They aren't afraid to push the limit.

When we met with they guys as they made their way through LA on a headlining tour, what was most surprising was the desire they have to get back to the studio and face the daunting task of creating a follow-up to The Sickness. Though they could easily release at least two more singles from the record, they just don't seem interested in flooding the airwaves with their music or resting on what they've already done. Soon, it'll be time to head back to the drawing board and try to give the fans the next installment.