Artist: System of a Down
Label: American Recordings
Release Date: 9/4/01
Average Rating: 3.75
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Title: Toxicity Artist: System of a Down Label: American Recordings Release Date: 9/4/01 |
There are currently 8 Reader Reviews of this album.
Average Rating: 3.75 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album |
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Submitted by Lucifer inc. (1/31/02):
When I first listened to this album I was shocked. There is nothing as unique as this. It's the craziest shit out there.Yet, I have a problem calling it music and comparing it with true metal bands I love...
I'll give it 3 skulls just because this album is funny as hell and I use it to frighten hitchhikers... I reccomend you people to try it as well. Every time you pick up a hitchhiker put "Fuck the System" on your cd player (full volume of course) and behold the terror in his eyes...
Submitted by yucayeke (11/27/01):
Wow! What a great recording. It is really a very listenable experience. Not what I expected from SoaD as their second album. Funny yet musically mature (?). Taking from different metal genres and meshing in a very interesting way, combining sounds and making them convey a story, even if it is a stupid story. Many bands try blending sounds, and many fail. SoaD have succeded... so far, so good. As a metal fan for 18 years (I'm not 18) I give them five skulls.
Submitted by TheCrimsonNinja (11/25/01):
Every time I think I've got a music scene figured out, some band goes and fucks it up for me. And that's what System of a Down does. Their eclectic influences are reflected in every facet of their music. They are complex, convoluted, and frenetic, with a driving energy rarely seen on the nu-metal front.System may not be metal. They don't exactly utililize blast-beats or operatic vocal stylings. But they have the thick technicality so often seen in the metal underground. This is one band you have to respect. Some people say their odd timing and beats detract from the cohesion and fluidity of their sound, but I beg to differ. After a couple of listens, this becomes a CD that flows very smoothly, be it the mellow harmony of "ATWA" or the intensity of "Bounce." There are few bad things to say about this album, except perhaps that it is not exactly metal.
I think the lyrics could be a little less repetitive, I suppose, although that effect serves a purpose within the driving scheme System of a Down has created to be the backbone of their music. The best compliment I can give these guys is that I've listened to Toxicity more than Emperor's Prometheus and Entombed's Morning Star. If that isn't enough to make you want to check this out, then nothing is.
Submitted by Puya (11/18/01):
Favorite track: "FOREST"Wow, where could i begin explaining such an amazing band? First, Toxicity is filled with awesome tunes. Daron Malakian is an awesome guitar player. When he plays instrumental parts in this album (which has more instrumental stuff than the self-titled) he shows his amazing sense of melody that is often mixed with excellent Oriental touches. It is a headbanger's orgasm that actually leaves a message.
The only things I would add to this album is more of Daron's solos and more instrumental parts. It isn't just because I want to hear more solos; it is because Malakian is one of those guitar players that hide their talent, but when they use it they leave you anxious to hear more. An extremely talented band different from everything I have ever heard before. It has a little bit of everything, but it also has a little bit of nothing... ?
Know that Incubus has sold out, and Machine Head keeps sucking more and more with the years, System of a Down is a very good alternative for nu-metal fans... and I am also an old school metal fan. It is metal for the whole family. A little bit repetitive some times, great singer though.
....just don't forget the pioneers:
311
Pantera
Biohazard
Machinehead
RATM
Korn
Submitted by PainKilla (10/15/01):
I'm not the kind of guy that limits himself to what people think Real Metal is. I've been into metal for more than 10 years, and although I changed my first Iron Maiden album for Nirvana's Nevermind because I thought they were satanic, I know what Real Metal is. Let me tell you, System of a Down play metal. Nu-metal, or however you wanna call, it is a great style of music. Sure, there are bands that suck like shit but there are others who are simply playing great harcore. Anyway I do not see much difference between what all these bands are playing right now and what bands like Biohazard, 311, and Machinehead were playing in the early 90's. It's just evolution I guess. I still love Maiden and Megadeth, but Korn and Incubus turn me on too.Going back to Toxicity, I said they played metal, right? Well I didn't say that all metal is good. I bought their first album without knowing what I would find and let me tell you, I was very disappointed. They try to be this crazy, unique band so hard that they blow it. If you want to listen to a really good/odd band, listen to Incubus' S.C.I.E.N.C.E. What an album... they sold out anyway.
I find System Of a Down interesting but boring. Cool but cheesy, and talented but mediocre. What a mess ha? Anyway I think you people out there could spend those bucks on tighter, better bands.
NUMETAL BANDS THAT SUCK:
Disturbed
Soil
Adema
Staind (Nu metal?) Triple SUCK!
P.O.DNUMETAL ALBUMS OF ALL TIME:
Burn my eyes
Korn
SCIENCE
Submitted by The Frozen (10/6/01):
OK, I just don't like new metal and all the stuff like this, but if this is new metal, I'll always follow it. System of a Down is an incredible mixture of violence, energy, melody and pure madness! Listen to something like "Chop Suey" on the album and you'll surely love it if you're open minded to stuff like this. The voice is the best element in the album: you can hear the singer growl like a fiend and build up melodic ambience too. I chose to buy it and I advise it to everyone who looks for something emotional and very, very heavy.
Submitted by Grindkrusher (9/28/01):
While the Committee covered what these guys sound like, I won't go into it. But I just wanted to chime in that I *LOVE* this band. I seriously hate that they get pulled into the nu-metal label and that the Korn Kids like them. I am amazed that they debuted at #1 with how weird their sound is. The bottom line is that this band is weird, is heavy, is eclectic, and just plain rocks. The songs are just infectious.
Submitted by Sickness718 (9/26/01):
Simply put this is the best album of the year. With their original sound (yes, they really are different from the other nu-metal acts, honest) and their highly political lyrics they come strong with their sophomore effort. There is not one weak track here, it's all really well done, the fast songs, the heavy songs and the mellow ones, theyre all great. Forgive me for the redundance and lack of adjectives but this is something you have to listen to. Seriously, this is a must get.As I said before this CD has no filler or weak songs, but the ones I'm enjoying the most right now are: "Deer Dance," "Psycho" and "ATWA."
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