I dont think Disturbed was generic, I think they kinda started abit of a new sound when they began.
I find that vocalist(what ever his name is) to be pretty decent and his monkey accents... cant come up with the word... I'll just say not all that distasteful and far less annoying to me than David Lee Roths little scream he always did during the VanHalen days.
But the riffs and grooves, especially the first couple Disturbed albums were pretty damn kickin and was impressed when I finally sat down and listened to a few borrowed CD's. My buddy a old hardcor Metallica, Megedeth, Testament, Maiden, Priest, Savatage (and others)fan... approved of Disturbed and lent me those CD's... good enough for me to give them a closer listen.