Hard-rocking, Chicago-based Disturbed finally return to the music scene. After a three-year hiatus between releases, Disturbed’s third album, “Ten Thousand Fists,” has managed to return the group to its original “metal” status.

After five years of repetitive radio recognition, fans now expect Disturbed to be at their very best, which after their 2002 sophomore album “Believe,” they were not. Fans have been patiently waiting a return to the “sickness,” if you will, ever since “Believe” was unable to fulfill the same addiction that led many fans to buy the overly popular debut album, “The Sickness.”

“Ten Thousand Fists,” does in fact return Disturbed to the direction in which it should have been moving in the first place. “Stricken” proclaims a heavier Disturbed has returned. This shouldn’t take away from the rest of the songs, which are equally as good.

“Deify” was written to criticize President George W. Bush. The group’s political views seem to be the inspiration behind many of the lyrics on the album. However, the critical lyrics should not take away from the excellent guitar work, the most noteworthy of which can be found in “Overburdened.”

Between ranting about the negativity of war and claiming all current rock groups sound the same, Disturbed manages to get its message across: They are unique and want to be heard. After listening to “Ten Thousand Fists,” it should be clear Disturbed has returned in a big way. Hopefully they are here to stay.