Some Praise for the System.
I have re-discovered how fucking amazing System of a Down is, and I can truly blame my purchase of Mezmerize for that. Time for some praising.
Continuing in the series of band-praisals. Check out the ones on Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Guns n' Roses, Korn if you missed them.
System of a Down.
Like much of their fellow nu-thrash/nu-metal counterparts, you either love System or you hate them... there was not a lot of middle of the road, "I only like such and such, but such and such and the rest is stupid" feelings going on. But I'm going out on a limb to say, as evidenced by reactions on Taborama, MxTabs forums, and my fellow metal lovers, that if you love metal, you'll like System of a Down, even if just a bit. I honestly have not met a metal head who thinks System is trash (and watch, now that I say that, I'll get a comment or a mention that they don't like them despite my assumption. And I'm going out a limb and going to guess that it's going to be Zephir, but I don't know.) System's music is so full of raw emotion and earthshaking, crunchy guitar riffs. And I know the "raw emotion" card is well overplayed in the world of music. But tell me you don't feel it when Serj yells "Why the fuck did you take him, motherfucker!" on "Soil". On top of their brutal guitar grinding, quick-paced tempo, rock assault, they are also very politically-active, as the band name suggests; the most politically-volitile band this side of Rage Against the Machine. Though, unlike their fellow LA rockers, not every song is metaphorically about politics. I'm quite surprised at the versatility of this metal band, especially one who's sound and meaning are so developed. I say because in between some of the earth shaking smack downs and political zingers, System sneaks in, what sounds like, funny or amusing songs, though usually they have hidden meanings ("hidden" might be an overstatement sometimes though). And just as good at that, they also can surprise with a meaningful "ballad". This band is quite amazing, and of a dying breed; good nu-metal.
-~-~-
System of a Down was one of the most popular underground bands in the Los Angeles area, so much so that every metalhead from LA to Vancouver to Texas knew them prior to their label-signing days. From their forming in 1995 to them signing to American/Columbia in 1997, System was a heavy touring group, playing clubs and venues nearly every other day. After signing to the major-label, they released the eponymous debut cd in 98. No surprise, it received rave reviews. And System of a Down is introduced to the world.
-~-~-
A nu-metal/nu-thrash quartet that originated from Los Angeles during the early 90s. The lineup consists of Serj Tankian as lead vocalist and occasional keys or piano, Daron Malakian as lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocals, and most recently, producer, Shavo Odadjian rockin on the bass, and John Dolmayan kickin ass on drums. As the origin of their names suggest, all of them have descending heritage from the Mid-East. I can't remember if it's the entire band or it's just Serj who's actual Armenian, but the influence is there.
Serj has one of the most stand-out voices in the metal world. Between his harsh growls and high-pitched weirdness, there is a subtle beauty that he exerts perfectly. All around, a truly amazing vocalist. And his writing ability (and Daron's too, because I recall him writing a bunch of lyrics) is equally as brilliant. Very angsty poetic, on the same level as Zack de la Rocha. And the style may not necessarily be ground breaking, but Daron, Shavo, and John fit the nu-thrash style to a tee. You simply cannot do it any better than they do it. Every band needs to take a page from System's consistency when it comes to music. Awesome.
-~-~-
The eponymous debut cd was launched in 1998. On it was the breakthrough single "Sugar". "Sugar" is one heck of a song. It's certainly not System's best song in the world, but it is great. What I'm most attracted to about this song is Shavo's bassline. During the verse, he's just repeatedly rockin out a smooth, almost jazzy 4-note sweep. Meanwhile, Daron seemingly plucks some well-timed random notes. While this is going on, Serj works his mojo by spitting out line after line of his militant style rant. This one is kind of one of the "silly" songs I mentioned earlier. It has some weird, amusing lyrics in it. The best part of this song is how it ends though. Off-on between Serj and the rest of the band: "I sit... In my desolate room... No lights.. No music... Just anger... I killed everyone... Gone away forever, but I'm feeling better. HowDoIFeel. WhatDoISay. In the end it all goes away.". Great listen.
-~-~-
Truly showing off the musicianship of the band is the second track, "Know". John bangs out an awesome tom-and-snare intro while Shavo digs underneath it to lay down a straight-quarter note bassline while Daron hits up the main guitar riff. That's just the intro. Best part of the song is the part in between the intro and the first verse when you hear Daron plays the same-note quadet by himself, then Shavo and John enter and pulverize the main riff of the song out of their respective instruments. Serj is Serj, which is a homonym for "fucking excellent". All in all, one System's best tunes.
-~-~-
Also on the self-titled cd is another brutal romp, and probably my favorite on the album. "Soil". It actually starts out with a clean riff by Daron before throwing on distortion and being joined by John and Shavo clearing the lane with the ass-stomping rhythm line. There's something about the drumline that is different in this song that's different than in other songs. I don't know if John was playing a different snare or what, but it sounded fucking awesome. It just had an extra pop on it that it doesn't have on "Sugar" or "Know" or any songs prior. It's almost garage-y. The best part of this song comes at the bridge. The sequencing is perfect. The performance is perfect. It's perfect.
"Don't you..." *silence* "Realize..." *silence* "Evil..." *silence* "Lives in the motherfucking skin"
"Don't you..." *awesome drumline* "Realize..." *awesome drumline* "Evil..." *awesome drumline* "Lives in the motherfucking skin"
"Don't you..." *drum/guitar* "Realize..." *drum/guitar* "Evil..." *drum/guitar* "Lives in the motherfucking skin" ...
The rest of the song plays out excellently, but that part is so fucking amazing.
-~-~-
"Ddevil". It's a pretty-good tune. Not one of my favorites, but some of the lyrics are some of my favorite ... ever. And some that I actually use a bunch of times in real life.
"Shake your spear at Shakespeare."
"Stupid people do stupid things
Smart people outsmart each other
Then themselves, then themselves".
-~-~-
2001 comes along and the band releases Toxicity. And the world says "Whoa." Automatically becomes one of the greatest releases of the new century. I need more than one hand to count the number of bands that blatantly ripped off this album since it's release. It's one of the best released cd's in awhile. From 1 to 14, this is one of the most complete albums you'll find. The opener of "Prison Song" kicks your ass so hard. The asskicking only just begins because following it is "Needles" and the abhoringly hard "Deer Dance". Then the crazy drum riding crash of "Jet Pilot" (no pun intended on the "crash") and the tricky little number of "X", actually meaning the sign for multiplication (as noted through the lyric "We don't need to multiply"). Then it rolls right into the blazing first single, "Chop Suey", met up with the silly little ditty "Bounce". "Forest" and "ATWA" aren't as stellar, but still kick ass. "Science" and "Shimmy" then steamroll your dead carcass and sets you up for the title track, which may be the most kickass song on the album. After that, get drawn into the weirded out number of "Psycho" before being finished off by the majesty of "Aerials". God, what an album.
-~-~-
Let's begin from my personal beginning. My first encounter with System of a Down came during the summer of 2001. I was lying in my bed listening to the radio, waiting to fall asleep. The dj plays the song. About the middle of the first verse, I open my eyes and sit up in my bed and listen to it. And after it ended, I said "That ... was fucking awesome". I had to know who that was. I waited for the dj to come back and tell me, but I had to endure a Hole and Nirvana song (ironic that Nirvana follows Hole? Heh.) when the DJ comes back on and says it was System's new single, "Chop Suey!. I had heard of System prior to that song, but never any stuff. I didn't hear the song again (much to my dismay) for another month or two when I ran into it on the radio again. Shortly after, I got the cd just for that song.
But the song is still so amazing, even after getting spun on the radio way too much for it's own good. Maybe all it's radio play has made it lose it's magic since the first time I heard it, but it is still an amazingly well put together track. The lyrics are kinda strange, but combined with the fact that it's Serj's calling card and Daron's amazingly hooky rock riff, it hoenstly didn't matter. I honestly don't know where to begin with on the awesomeness of this song. And even if I did start, there's nowhere to end with it. One thing I have to note is the production of the song. The way the song is pieced together is nothing short of godly. There's multiple guitarlines, multiple vocals, and it's all fit in place so magnificently. I even catch a piano underneath the guitar during the final chorus. ... The awesomeness of it transcends time and space itself.
-~-~-
I have never been kicked in the junk metaphorically than my first encounter with the "Prison Song". And it still junks me pretty good whenever I listen to it. Just hear that opening smack.
"DUHN!!"
"DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN-DUHN-DUHN-DUHN!!!!"
There's that gap in between where you think "... Is that is?", then the rest comes in and pummels you like you're the new bitch in a state prison leaving you saying "Nope, guess I was wrong". Seriously, the only way I can explain for the main intro into the song is like you're getting bludgeoned by punches. Then, the main riff of the song comes through and you think "Oh man, maybe the beating is over". Guess again, bitch, it's just the beginning. The riffs are just so brutally in your face that it's somewhat lyrical itself. Serj comes in with monotone styles, basically narrating his lyrics about wrongful arrests and the basic corruption of police (that's how I perceive it, at least). But then, here comes the chorus where he yells "THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON! THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON! THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON! FOR YOU AND ME TO LIVE IN!". This song may be the best album opener since GnR's "Welcome to the Jungle" on Appetite for Destruction.
-~-~-
"Deer Dance". I described is "abhoringly hard". That fits this song damn well. The opening riff is unbelieavably excellent distorted bliss. I think Serj gives one of his best vocal performances on the album on this song. The political aspect is in full effect as well, noted by the lyric "Pushing little children with their fully automatics. They like to push the weak around". The best part of this song comes during the bridge with Shavo doing a mini bass solo followed by Daron's damn near galactic-like guitar line while Serj sings his line. ... <33333333
-~-~-
Summer 2002. A hacker hacks onto one of the member's computers and unlocks a number of unreleased songs. He then, as any hacker would, plants them for download on Kazaa. System = pissed. But instead of taking action, assuming they had any action to take, they allot the leaked tracks and place them on a cd, aptly named Steal This Album!, and released it in November that year. The cd was given the impression that it would be a B-sides and odds-and-ends cd. In my personal opinion, it's not even close to a B-sides cd. I could swear to you up and down the bend that this was definitely going on a future album, or hell, it was a future album and this hacker story was just some story. The quality of the songs reflect the amazing writing style of the band. I've read on forums that many System fans think Steal This Album isn't necessarily crap, but isn't that great. Granted that it's definitely not Toxicity or even the self-titled, but it holds it's own.
-~-~-
Enter "Innervision" and "Bubbles". Typical System of a Down, really. Smart lyrics, Serj's great delivery, Daron's great musicianship, powerfully explosive rhythm. Easily the best song on the whole cd, but only when including "Bubbles". That song is included because the song has absolutely no break in between the two songs. "Bubbles" damn near godly amazing. John smacks his drum kit for all it's worth to create an impressively quick-paced drum smash. Daron, Shavo, and Serj feed off his energy and deliver a fucking spectacular romp.
-~-~-
Also good on Steal This Album!: The angry open letter to the wealthy style of "ADD", the haunting ballad of "Mr. Jack", and the goofy chanting of "I-E-A-I-A-I-O"
-~-~-
System went on hiatus after that, and all but were forgotten about in this fickle society. But alas, they return back, and more deadly brutal than ever with the first of a "dual disc", if you will, in Mesmerize, dropped in May (the second disc, Hypnotize has a drop date in September). I recently got Mesmerize ... and am glad to report that System has not lost their edge in the least. It's a great album, full of excellent tunes you expect from the Armenian quad. Some people claim that it is their best album without question. For me, it surpasses Steal this Album! and is pretty much tied with the self-titled album. The champ is still Toxicity, and it'll take nothing short of a Master of Puppets-like movement by System to knock Toxicity off the top shelf.
-~-~-
The first single released off the new album, "B.Y.O.B." (cleverly used anagram meaning "Bring Your Own Bombs") is like a boot in the ass. The song itself takes so many different directions, tempo changes, key changes, vocal styles, and the weirdest sequence ever. I compare it to a kid with ADD on a roller coaster. Despite it all, it STILL kicks ass. And maybe System is the only band who could've pulled it off.
"You depend on our protection, yet you feed us lies from the table cloth ... "
Tell me that's not awesomely poetic.
-~-~-
"Revenga". This may be my favorite song of the album. I have to say this song has Serj at his best. I can't think of a song he does much better than this one. The whole verse, vocally, is godly. John's smacking up his set at lightning speed during the verse, Daron is working his guitar so quick the strings may catch fire. But Serj is the MVP of this song. Excellent.
-~-~-
"Radio/Video". Holy ... shit.
Let me catch my breath.
Again, the vocals just take everything over in this song. I love the sarcastic tone of "Hey man, look at me rocking out. I'm on the radiooooooo". The guitar riff isn't anything out of the ordinary, but works great. I must say that I'm not a huge fan of the quiet to loud movement they had during the semi-bridge. But the bridge to the outro more than makes up for it, and it's strange that I'd think this is the best part of the song. Serj and Daron going "La la la la" to the tune of the guitarline. The way Daron's and Serj's voice connects is so uncannily excellent, and not heard of since the duo of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains. Quite a song.
-~-~-
If there was a song that would give "Revenga" a run for it's money as the best on the album, that honor would go to "Question!". ... I've just about run out of adjectives to explain the superbly sequenced, positively potently produced, gregariously great guitarline, beautifully boisterous bassline, and the devoid doolings of the drums... (ok that was pretty stupid). Just know that it's ... fucking ... awesome.
-~-~-
Also good on Mesmerize: "Cigaro", "Violent Pornography", "Lost in Hollywood".
-~-~-
Bringing this huge overview on the Los Angeles-based power thrash quartet to an end, let me finish by saying... System of a Down is truly among the elite bands in the new century... and so far in the new century, there aren't very many elite bands, so it's pretty exclusive list. The thing about System is that they keep breaking ground in a genre that seemingly could not have any ground broken. They could be like every band out of that genre and recycle their sound over and over and over again. But no, you get hit with something different at every corner. Nothing completely different, but just enough to note the band is evolving, and in a good way. With this day in music that shows little hope for the youth of this Cry-Me-A-Freaking-River Emo/Next Gen New Wave/Pre Fab Pop Punk generation, System of a Down remains one of the most important bands still around. Keep it rocking, you crazy Armenians! \m/
Current Rank (of alltime favorite bands): At last call, #17 ... But I haven't factored in Mesmerize yet, so they may be on the rise.
Favorite Member: With all due respects to Daron, who fucking rocks at everything he does for that band, Shavo, who is one crazy ass bass player, and John, who is one hell of an underrated drummer, I have to give the nod to Serj Tankian. It just would not be System of a Down without that crazy bitch being himself on the mic.
3 Favorite Songs: Now THAT is a tough call ... I'll have to go like this: "Prison Song", "Know", and "Deer Dance" (but I HAVE to have the honorable mention, which goes to "Soil").
Continuing in the series of band-praisals. Check out the ones on Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Guns n' Roses, Korn if you missed them.
System of a Down.
Like much of their fellow nu-thrash/nu-metal counterparts, you either love System or you hate them... there was not a lot of middle of the road, "I only like such and such, but such and such and the rest is stupid" feelings going on. But I'm going out on a limb to say, as evidenced by reactions on Taborama, MxTabs forums, and my fellow metal lovers, that if you love metal, you'll like System of a Down, even if just a bit. I honestly have not met a metal head who thinks System is trash (and watch, now that I say that, I'll get a comment or a mention that they don't like them despite my assumption. And I'm going out a limb and going to guess that it's going to be Zephir, but I don't know.) System's music is so full of raw emotion and earthshaking, crunchy guitar riffs. And I know the "raw emotion" card is well overplayed in the world of music. But tell me you don't feel it when Serj yells "Why the fuck did you take him, motherfucker!" on "Soil". On top of their brutal guitar grinding, quick-paced tempo, rock assault, they are also very politically-active, as the band name suggests; the most politically-volitile band this side of Rage Against the Machine. Though, unlike their fellow LA rockers, not every song is metaphorically about politics. I'm quite surprised at the versatility of this metal band, especially one who's sound and meaning are so developed. I say because in between some of the earth shaking smack downs and political zingers, System sneaks in, what sounds like, funny or amusing songs, though usually they have hidden meanings ("hidden" might be an overstatement sometimes though). And just as good at that, they also can surprise with a meaningful "ballad". This band is quite amazing, and of a dying breed; good nu-metal.
-~-~-
System of a Down was one of the most popular underground bands in the Los Angeles area, so much so that every metalhead from LA to Vancouver to Texas knew them prior to their label-signing days. From their forming in 1995 to them signing to American/Columbia in 1997, System was a heavy touring group, playing clubs and venues nearly every other day. After signing to the major-label, they released the eponymous debut cd in 98. No surprise, it received rave reviews. And System of a Down is introduced to the world.
-~-~-
A nu-metal/nu-thrash quartet that originated from Los Angeles during the early 90s. The lineup consists of Serj Tankian as lead vocalist and occasional keys or piano, Daron Malakian as lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocals, and most recently, producer, Shavo Odadjian rockin on the bass, and John Dolmayan kickin ass on drums. As the origin of their names suggest, all of them have descending heritage from the Mid-East. I can't remember if it's the entire band or it's just Serj who's actual Armenian, but the influence is there.
Serj has one of the most stand-out voices in the metal world. Between his harsh growls and high-pitched weirdness, there is a subtle beauty that he exerts perfectly. All around, a truly amazing vocalist. And his writing ability (and Daron's too, because I recall him writing a bunch of lyrics) is equally as brilliant. Very angsty poetic, on the same level as Zack de la Rocha. And the style may not necessarily be ground breaking, but Daron, Shavo, and John fit the nu-thrash style to a tee. You simply cannot do it any better than they do it. Every band needs to take a page from System's consistency when it comes to music. Awesome.
-~-~-
The eponymous debut cd was launched in 1998. On it was the breakthrough single "Sugar". "Sugar" is one heck of a song. It's certainly not System's best song in the world, but it is great. What I'm most attracted to about this song is Shavo's bassline. During the verse, he's just repeatedly rockin out a smooth, almost jazzy 4-note sweep. Meanwhile, Daron seemingly plucks some well-timed random notes. While this is going on, Serj works his mojo by spitting out line after line of his militant style rant. This one is kind of one of the "silly" songs I mentioned earlier. It has some weird, amusing lyrics in it. The best part of this song is how it ends though. Off-on between Serj and the rest of the band: "I sit... In my desolate room... No lights.. No music... Just anger... I killed everyone... Gone away forever, but I'm feeling better. HowDoIFeel. WhatDoISay. In the end it all goes away.". Great listen.
-~-~-
Truly showing off the musicianship of the band is the second track, "Know". John bangs out an awesome tom-and-snare intro while Shavo digs underneath it to lay down a straight-quarter note bassline while Daron hits up the main guitar riff. That's just the intro. Best part of the song is the part in between the intro and the first verse when you hear Daron plays the same-note quadet by himself, then Shavo and John enter and pulverize the main riff of the song out of their respective instruments. Serj is Serj, which is a homonym for "fucking excellent". All in all, one System's best tunes.
-~-~-
Also on the self-titled cd is another brutal romp, and probably my favorite on the album. "Soil". It actually starts out with a clean riff by Daron before throwing on distortion and being joined by John and Shavo clearing the lane with the ass-stomping rhythm line. There's something about the drumline that is different in this song that's different than in other songs. I don't know if John was playing a different snare or what, but it sounded fucking awesome. It just had an extra pop on it that it doesn't have on "Sugar" or "Know" or any songs prior. It's almost garage-y. The best part of this song comes at the bridge. The sequencing is perfect. The performance is perfect. It's perfect.
"Don't you..." *silence* "Realize..." *silence* "Evil..." *silence* "Lives in the motherfucking skin"
"Don't you..." *awesome drumline* "Realize..." *awesome drumline* "Evil..." *awesome drumline* "Lives in the motherfucking skin"
"Don't you..." *drum/guitar* "Realize..." *drum/guitar* "Evil..." *drum/guitar* "Lives in the motherfucking skin" ...
The rest of the song plays out excellently, but that part is so fucking amazing.
-~-~-
"Ddevil". It's a pretty-good tune. Not one of my favorites, but some of the lyrics are some of my favorite ... ever. And some that I actually use a bunch of times in real life.
"Shake your spear at Shakespeare."
"Stupid people do stupid things
Smart people outsmart each other
Then themselves, then themselves".
-~-~-
2001 comes along and the band releases Toxicity. And the world says "Whoa." Automatically becomes one of the greatest releases of the new century. I need more than one hand to count the number of bands that blatantly ripped off this album since it's release. It's one of the best released cd's in awhile. From 1 to 14, this is one of the most complete albums you'll find. The opener of "Prison Song" kicks your ass so hard. The asskicking only just begins because following it is "Needles" and the abhoringly hard "Deer Dance". Then the crazy drum riding crash of "Jet Pilot" (no pun intended on the "crash") and the tricky little number of "X", actually meaning the sign for multiplication (as noted through the lyric "We don't need to multiply"). Then it rolls right into the blazing first single, "Chop Suey", met up with the silly little ditty "Bounce". "Forest" and "ATWA" aren't as stellar, but still kick ass. "Science" and "Shimmy" then steamroll your dead carcass and sets you up for the title track, which may be the most kickass song on the album. After that, get drawn into the weirded out number of "Psycho" before being finished off by the majesty of "Aerials". God, what an album.
-~-~-
Let's begin from my personal beginning. My first encounter with System of a Down came during the summer of 2001. I was lying in my bed listening to the radio, waiting to fall asleep. The dj plays the song. About the middle of the first verse, I open my eyes and sit up in my bed and listen to it. And after it ended, I said "That ... was fucking awesome". I had to know who that was. I waited for the dj to come back and tell me, but I had to endure a Hole and Nirvana song (ironic that Nirvana follows Hole? Heh.) when the DJ comes back on and says it was System's new single, "Chop Suey!. I had heard of System prior to that song, but never any stuff. I didn't hear the song again (much to my dismay) for another month or two when I ran into it on the radio again. Shortly after, I got the cd just for that song.
But the song is still so amazing, even after getting spun on the radio way too much for it's own good. Maybe all it's radio play has made it lose it's magic since the first time I heard it, but it is still an amazingly well put together track. The lyrics are kinda strange, but combined with the fact that it's Serj's calling card and Daron's amazingly hooky rock riff, it hoenstly didn't matter. I honestly don't know where to begin with on the awesomeness of this song. And even if I did start, there's nowhere to end with it. One thing I have to note is the production of the song. The way the song is pieced together is nothing short of godly. There's multiple guitarlines, multiple vocals, and it's all fit in place so magnificently. I even catch a piano underneath the guitar during the final chorus. ... The awesomeness of it transcends time and space itself.
-~-~-
I have never been kicked in the junk metaphorically than my first encounter with the "Prison Song". And it still junks me pretty good whenever I listen to it. Just hear that opening smack.
"DUHN!!"
"DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN DUHN-DUHN-DUHN-DUHN!!!!"
There's that gap in between where you think "... Is that is?", then the rest comes in and pummels you like you're the new bitch in a state prison leaving you saying "Nope, guess I was wrong". Seriously, the only way I can explain for the main intro into the song is like you're getting bludgeoned by punches. Then, the main riff of the song comes through and you think "Oh man, maybe the beating is over". Guess again, bitch, it's just the beginning. The riffs are just so brutally in your face that it's somewhat lyrical itself. Serj comes in with monotone styles, basically narrating his lyrics about wrongful arrests and the basic corruption of police (that's how I perceive it, at least). But then, here comes the chorus where he yells "THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON! THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON! THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON! FOR YOU AND ME TO LIVE IN!". This song may be the best album opener since GnR's "Welcome to the Jungle" on Appetite for Destruction.
-~-~-
"Deer Dance". I described is "abhoringly hard". That fits this song damn well. The opening riff is unbelieavably excellent distorted bliss. I think Serj gives one of his best vocal performances on the album on this song. The political aspect is in full effect as well, noted by the lyric "Pushing little children with their fully automatics. They like to push the weak around". The best part of this song comes during the bridge with Shavo doing a mini bass solo followed by Daron's damn near galactic-like guitar line while Serj sings his line. ... <33333333
-~-~-
Summer 2002. A hacker hacks onto one of the member's computers and unlocks a number of unreleased songs. He then, as any hacker would, plants them for download on Kazaa. System = pissed. But instead of taking action, assuming they had any action to take, they allot the leaked tracks and place them on a cd, aptly named Steal This Album!, and released it in November that year. The cd was given the impression that it would be a B-sides and odds-and-ends cd. In my personal opinion, it's not even close to a B-sides cd. I could swear to you up and down the bend that this was definitely going on a future album, or hell, it was a future album and this hacker story was just some story. The quality of the songs reflect the amazing writing style of the band. I've read on forums that many System fans think Steal This Album isn't necessarily crap, but isn't that great. Granted that it's definitely not Toxicity or even the self-titled, but it holds it's own.
-~-~-
Enter "Innervision" and "Bubbles". Typical System of a Down, really. Smart lyrics, Serj's great delivery, Daron's great musicianship, powerfully explosive rhythm. Easily the best song on the whole cd, but only when including "Bubbles". That song is included because the song has absolutely no break in between the two songs. "Bubbles" damn near godly amazing. John smacks his drum kit for all it's worth to create an impressively quick-paced drum smash. Daron, Shavo, and Serj feed off his energy and deliver a fucking spectacular romp.
-~-~-
Also good on Steal This Album!: The angry open letter to the wealthy style of "ADD", the haunting ballad of "Mr. Jack", and the goofy chanting of "I-E-A-I-A-I-O"
-~-~-
System went on hiatus after that, and all but were forgotten about in this fickle society. But alas, they return back, and more deadly brutal than ever with the first of a "dual disc", if you will, in Mesmerize, dropped in May (the second disc, Hypnotize has a drop date in September). I recently got Mesmerize ... and am glad to report that System has not lost their edge in the least. It's a great album, full of excellent tunes you expect from the Armenian quad. Some people claim that it is their best album without question. For me, it surpasses Steal this Album! and is pretty much tied with the self-titled album. The champ is still Toxicity, and it'll take nothing short of a Master of Puppets-like movement by System to knock Toxicity off the top shelf.
-~-~-
The first single released off the new album, "B.Y.O.B." (cleverly used anagram meaning "Bring Your Own Bombs") is like a boot in the ass. The song itself takes so many different directions, tempo changes, key changes, vocal styles, and the weirdest sequence ever. I compare it to a kid with ADD on a roller coaster. Despite it all, it STILL kicks ass. And maybe System is the only band who could've pulled it off.
"You depend on our protection, yet you feed us lies from the table cloth ... "
Tell me that's not awesomely poetic.
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"Revenga". This may be my favorite song of the album. I have to say this song has Serj at his best. I can't think of a song he does much better than this one. The whole verse, vocally, is godly. John's smacking up his set at lightning speed during the verse, Daron is working his guitar so quick the strings may catch fire. But Serj is the MVP of this song. Excellent.
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"Radio/Video". Holy ... shit.
Let me catch my breath.
Again, the vocals just take everything over in this song. I love the sarcastic tone of "Hey man, look at me rocking out. I'm on the radiooooooo". The guitar riff isn't anything out of the ordinary, but works great. I must say that I'm not a huge fan of the quiet to loud movement they had during the semi-bridge. But the bridge to the outro more than makes up for it, and it's strange that I'd think this is the best part of the song. Serj and Daron going "La la la la" to the tune of the guitarline. The way Daron's and Serj's voice connects is so uncannily excellent, and not heard of since the duo of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains. Quite a song.
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If there was a song that would give "Revenga" a run for it's money as the best on the album, that honor would go to "Question!". ... I've just about run out of adjectives to explain the superbly sequenced, positively potently produced, gregariously great guitarline, beautifully boisterous bassline, and the devoid doolings of the drums... (ok that was pretty stupid). Just know that it's ... fucking ... awesome.
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Also good on Mesmerize: "Cigaro", "Violent Pornography", "Lost in Hollywood".
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Bringing this huge overview on the Los Angeles-based power thrash quartet to an end, let me finish by saying... System of a Down is truly among the elite bands in the new century... and so far in the new century, there aren't very many elite bands, so it's pretty exclusive list. The thing about System is that they keep breaking ground in a genre that seemingly could not have any ground broken. They could be like every band out of that genre and recycle their sound over and over and over again. But no, you get hit with something different at every corner. Nothing completely different, but just enough to note the band is evolving, and in a good way. With this day in music that shows little hope for the youth of this Cry-Me-A-Freaking-River Emo/Next Gen New Wave/Pre Fab Pop Punk generation, System of a Down remains one of the most important bands still around. Keep it rocking, you crazy Armenians! \m/
Current Rank (of alltime favorite bands): At last call, #17 ... But I haven't factored in Mesmerize yet, so they may be on the rise.
Favorite Member: With all due respects to Daron, who fucking rocks at everything he does for that band, Shavo, who is one crazy ass bass player, and John, who is one hell of an underrated drummer, I have to give the nod to Serj Tankian. It just would not be System of a Down without that crazy bitch being himself on the mic.
3 Favorite Songs: Now THAT is a tough call ... I'll have to go like this: "Prison Song", "Know", and "Deer Dance" (but I HAVE to have the honorable mention, which goes to "Soil").