The Heavy Metal Ties That Bind: Singer Encourages Israeli Hostage to “Hold on to Memories” (Guest Column)

[Trigger warning: This guest column contains disturbing descriptions of violence.]

I never in my life thought I’d care as much about someone else’s children as my own.

I’ve been following the tragedy of parents Yarden and Shiri Bibas, and their ginger-haired babies Ariel and Kfir, since it began on Oct. 7, 2023. In that time, I’ve been praying and hoping against hope that there would be some sign of life, something we can hold on to, to at least convince ourselves and still believe that they have a chance.

Two weeks ago, when the bodies of Shiri, 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir, were returned from captivity in Gaza and laid to rest, the massive funeral was regarded as one of saddest days in the history of the people of Israel. I got notified by Ari Ingel of the organization Creative Community for Peace that the father, sole captivity survivor Yarden, was a fan of my band and that he was planning to play Disturbed’s “Hold on to Memories” at the funeral.

I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to contextualize it. Of course, I gave my full blessing and full appreciation for utilizing this piece of music I’ve written to help comfort and console one of our dearest mourners. A man who has become so beloved and who needs to be given everything we’ve got.

I actually spoke to Yarden the following morning. I told him how I’d been following the story, and how I and so many others had been praying, and that there are no words to alleviate the pain he’s feeling. I conveyed my support, sending him whatever strength I have left in me to hopefully strengthen him in this crazy time. I gave him my number and offered my friendship and VIP access to any show he wants. I was later told that, when I spoke to him, it was the first time he had smiled since he was released.

The Bibas family has become a symbol in so many ways and for so many of us. As Jews, they represent our pain and mourning, our continued persecution and our continued struggle. Heartbreaking doesn’t quite cover it. Because despite witnessing the horrors of Oct. 7, it’s shocking to see the world’s reaction — or lack thereof — to babies being kidnapped and slaughtered at the hands of their captors, to say nothing of women who suffered rape, mutilation and death.

I’m still just shaken up by all of it and very angry at how callous and hate-addicted the world has become. To see hostages paraded like props in front of the cameras to the screaming hordes in Gaza in successive releases, no one had anything to say about that.

No one in Hollywood is brave enough to raise their voice, either. At the Academy Awards, the only person who had any kind of stones is Adrien Brody, who at least addressed contemporary antisemitism to some level when accepting the Oscar for playing a Holocaust survivor in The Brutalist. And he was shaking while he was doing it. And I don’t think it was just because he was nervous accepting the award; I think he was legitimately worried about how he would continue to be attacked, online or otherwise. There’s a real underlying fear of putting yourself in jeopardy. The so-called nerve is too political when it’s Jewish, but not when it comes to any other race, creed or ethnicity.

Jews have long been the most popular scapegoat for every evil in existence. It’s ridiculous. Thank God for the state of Israel. Thankfully, we have the ability these days to defend ourselves despite the brazenness of monsters who livestreamed to the world what they did on Oct. 7. I thought that the barbarity of all of it would be enough to finally tilt the support in our favor, but it wasn’t, and they promised to do it again. Hiding behind their children and their women as human shields, encouraging martyrdom and sacrifice as they parade the caskets of little children throughout the streets of Gaza. Until this cycle of indoctrination of this poisonous hatred is stopped, there’s no chance in hell for real peace for the Middle East.

“Hold on to Memories” was inspired by “Remember Me” from the movie Coco about the Mexican Day of the Dead. I watched it with my son and thought it was such a beautiful sentiment and that people needed it. The simplicity and the power of love and memory that enables you to still remain connected to that love. It transcends anything and it’s incredible to see.

When we originally wrote “Hold on to Memories,” it was about the many colleagues that we’ve lost over the years — Chester Bennington, Scott Weiland, Chris Cornell. And now it has taken on a greater, more intense meaning. But that’s the power of music, to move through heaven and earth. There’s nothing like a piece of music to bring you back to a place and time and emotion and a feeling so distinctly, it’s as if you’re literally transported in time. Music is a magical thing. And I truly do consider us to be very blessed to still be able to wield it. But I don’t know how I’m going to be able to get through it dry-eyed the next time I perform this song.

As it turns out, one person who needed that song was Yarden Bibas. I think he’s an incredible individual. It takes such resilience to withstand that level of loss. It’s beyond comprehension, to be honest. I’m glad that our song was able to at least give him some semblance of comfort and strength. And that he continue to hold on to the memories of Shiri, of Ariel, of Kfir in his heart.

David Draiman is the lead singer of the band Disturbed, which formed in 1994 and went on to sell 17 million albums, including the multi-platinum The Sickness. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Other songs performed during the Bibas funeral proceedings included Avenged Sevenfold’s “Roman Sky” and Zakk Wylde’s “I Thank You Child.”