Cannes Lions

Bad Man

DOOMSDAY ENTERTAINMENT, Los Angeles / DISTURBED / 2023

Supporting Content
Original Content

Overview

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Credits

Overview

Background

Inspired by the plight of the Ukrainian people, this film serves as poignant and powerful commentary on the current rise of autocracy, not only in Eastern Europe, but throughout the world.

Idea

DISTURBED frontman David Draiman told HardDrive Radio about "Bad Man": "It could be about any number of bad men or actors in the world that are currently wreaking havoc, but this particular song was inspired by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was happening as we were writing the song, and it seemed very, very appropriate. I feel for the people of Ukraine and everything that they've had to deal with and experience and are continuing to experience. It's horrific to watch the play-by-play of a full-scale war. And it's a shame that it's become just a matter of, like, 'Oh, this is what we do. We check in to see what happened.' As opposed to — I don't know — doing more as a world, other than just throwing tons of money at the situation and contributing to more death and violence."

Strategy

Disturbed's new album Divisive was described by Metal Hammer as reassertion of their "claim to the modern metal throne" that "will surely delight their existing fans, while picking up a few more along the way." According to Draiman, it was inspired by both “partisan tribal warfare” and the corrosive effects of society growing “addicted to outrage.”

Outcome

Global reach, with over 4.4 million views and counting.