David Draiman Talks Mixing Music + Personal Convictions

There are some musicians who will toe the party line and not share their political and social conviction in fear of losing their fans. Device and Disturbed frontman David Draiman, as evidenced by his recent criticisms of 'Rolling Stone' magazine and Roger Waters, does not belong in that category. For Draiman, having something to say holds as much relevance as a song's rhythmic composition.

In an interview with Metal Hammer, Draiman discussed why music is a suitable avenue to explore deeper themes. "From John Lennon's 'Imagine,' Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' and Bob Marley's 'Buffalo Soldier' to U2's 'Sunday Bloody Sunday,' Black Sabbbath's 'War Pigs' and Metallica's 'One,' music with strong political messages has been used powerfully and poignantly to express our hopes, fears and outrage at the events unfolding before us in the grand dramatic theatre of human existence."

Draiman also believes that music enables people to challenge their own environment, as well as "call out the injustices that continue to occur daily right before our eyes and shed light on the monsters that prey on the weak and the suffering."

Although Roger Waters has never been criticized as a monster, Draiman took the Pink Floyd member to task recently for using the Star of David as a symbol on the iconic, floating pig featured on 'The Wall' concerts. Last year, Waters spoke to the United Nations as he criticized the Israeli government's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza areas and explained his support of the Palestinian people.

In an open letter, Draiman said that whether or not one is in support of Israel's policies, using the Star of David on the flying pig is "uncalled for, abhorrent, and blatantly Anti-Semitic."

Device is part of Gigantour, a Megadeth-headlined fest that also features Black Label Society and Newsted.