The System of a Down Thread (MXican Radio #4)

[Six Foot Revolver]

Novemeber 21st here in the UK. Which means the 22nd in the USA if I'm not mistaken.
That would be correct.

[Skit]

I bet none of you recorded the show did you!?

I need the full song dammit!

[azbassman]

All right kool because ive been waiting for it to come out, mezmerize got kinda boring pretty quick

[GiB]

So they're Armenian? That's why they had odd names. Cool I didn't know that.

[xrockerachickx]

are they?

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

They're all of Armenien descent in some form or fashion, but they're all American citizens now, if that's what you meant..

[Blizzink]

I bet none of you recorded the show did you!?

I need the full song dammit!

I thought that they didn't allow any electronics in the place, but they let my cell phone in. I had my MP3 player in the car with a few hundred megs of space and I could have recorded it...dammit.

[matterw4]

i saw them they were good :thumb:

[Taste_My_Scythe]

BYOB is brilliant, and I've always loved the old stuff (Innervision, Aerials, Chop Suey!, etc)

[Hale_of_Gunfire]

I used to be a really big fan, but now i only like a few songs off of the self titled, the solo in soil is kickass!

[faithINtheIRONY]

in the USA car commercial, i think its for the vitara, what SOAD song is playing? im pretty certain its SOAD...

[coneren]

What did it sound like?

[faithINtheIRONY]

very short clip of serj (im pretty sure) singing in a high voice... i know that doesnt help, but its very short. maybe its from the new album?

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

BYOB is brilliant, and I've always loved the old stuff (Innervision, Aerials, Chop Suey!, etc)

Have you heard the rest of Mezmerize? If you think BYOB is brilliant, you will be blown away by the rest of it, as I consider BYOB one of the weaker tracks on the album.

[faithINtheIRONY]

Have you heard the rest of Mezmerize? If you think BYOB is brilliant, you will be blown away by the rest of it, as I consider BYOB one of the weaker tracks on the album.

agreed

lost in hollywood is the greatest song they ever did, imo

[PepsiMetal]

very short clip of serj (im pretty sure) singing in a high voice... i know that doesnt help, but its very short. maybe its from the new album?

Did you make out any lyrics or something? I mean that pretty much can be any song. lol

[faithINtheIRONY]

ah i know, and no i cant make out lyrics... im just hoping someone else saw that commercial too and can help

[YDload]

I just saw that commercial, and I can tell you for certain that it is NOT System of a Down. I know that one part sounds like the the "LIES from the tablecloth!" lyric of BYOB, but it is in no way SOAD. The voice is far too different and the music is rock as opposed to metal.

[Taste_My_Scythe]

Have you heard the rest of Mezmerize? If you think BYOB is brilliant, you will be blown away by the rest of it, as I consider BYOB one of the weaker tracks on the album.

No! I haven't! I'd really like to though.

[+zero+]

well then. go buy the cd, its well worth the 15$

[bigguy69]

i double that its definitely worth the money... every track rocks but old school hollywood seemed a bit different from anything else they'd ever put out...but there getting a lot better musically which i love

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

I like the synths in Old School Hollywood. The lyrics kind of crack me up, as well. :p It is definitely the black sheep of the album, though.

[Thor]

I like the synths in Old School Hollywood. The lyrics kind of crack me up, as well. :p It is definitely the black sheep of the album, though.
Tony Danza cuts in line! :thumb: :lol:

That's a good song, but one of the weaker parts of the album for me.

[xrockerachickx]

all i know is tha the album isnt as good as i thought it was going to be... i waited so long for it and its not at all as good as the rest. but its still SOAD, and i still have my respects for them, becuz well just becuz. but hypnotize better be better!

[+zero+]

its not as metal as the old soad, but bands always change there style a bit so you gotta learn to accept them even if they change their tone.

[Kyle]

its not as metal as the old soad, but bands always change there style a bit so you gotta learn to accept them even if they change their tone.
Yeah, the new music is still imaginative. As long as Soad always have new ideas then I'm happy, if they made another Toxicity or self titled I would be more annoyed I think. Seeing as you're a fan, I will compare it to the pumpkins; Their sound varied greatly and whilst some albums are stronger than others none of the albums are boring, whereas if they had stayed the same it might have got boring.

[Psychotic Sin]

System Of A Down used to be good before they became mainstream. People at my school who listen to them call themselves "fans". I asked one of them what their favorite SOAD song is, they said Cigaro. I said mine was Chic'N'stu, and they said that wasn't a song by them.
Anyways, I proved him wrong on MSN, but I stick to my main point.

MAINSTREAM IS EVIL

[Kyle]

System Of A Down used to be good before they became mainstream. People at my school who listen to them call themselves "fans". I asked one of them what their favorite SOAD song is, they said Cigaro. I said mine was Chic'N'stu, and they said that wasn't a song by them.
Anyways, I proved him wrong on MSN, but I stick to my main point.

MAINSTREAM IS EVIL
Says the person with the Marilyn Manson Avatar?

I don't get why Being Mainstream or not Mainstream concerns people.

[Moses]

System Of A Down used to be good before they became mainstream. People at my school who listen to them call themselves "fans". I asked one of them what their favorite SOAD song is, they said Cigaro. I said mine was Chic'N'stu, and they said that wasn't a song by them.
Anyways, I proved him wrong on MSN, but I stick to my main point.

MAINSTREAM IS EVIL
Ha, you're so cool with your "everything sucks onteh rahdieo", additude. System of a Down is just as good now as they ever were after the self-titled album. You're just blinded by the opinions of others and try to make yourself out to be different when the only thing you're making is an *** of yourself. Stop caring what other people think and just listen to the music you like.

[Kyle]

Ha, you're so cool with your "everything sucks onteh rahdieo", additude. System of a Down is just as good now as they ever were after the self-titled album. You're just blinded by the opinions of others and try to make yourself out to be different when the only thing you're making is an *** of yourself. Stop caring what other people think and just listen to the music you like.
:lol: Why did I even try to be tactful, this would have been way more fun.

[YDload]

System Of A Down used to be good before they became mainstream. People at my school who listen to them call themselves "fans". I asked one of them what their favorite SOAD song is, they said Cigaro. I said mine was Chic'N'stu, and they said that wasn't a song by them.
Anyways, I proved him wrong on MSN, but I stick to my main point.

MAINSTREAM IS EVIL

Chic N Stu was on "Steal This Album" and they were popular since 1998 with "Spiders" and "Sugar" on MTV. They were always mainstream you retard.

[+zero+]

System Of A Down used to be good before they became mainstream. People at my school who listen to them call themselves "fans". I asked one of them what their favorite SOAD song is, they said Cigaro. I said mine was Chic'N'stu, and they said that wasn't a song by them.
Anyways, I proved him wrong on MSN, but I stick to my main point.

MAINSTREAM IS EVIL
oo bet u didnt see that one coming.. burn on you :lol: . their not even so mainstream if u think about it.. are they?

[Blizzink]

oo bet u didnt see that one coming.. burn on you :lol: . their not even so mainstream if u think about it.. are they?

Actually they are quite mainstream, considering the kind of music they play, and how much air time they get on every rock station. Being mainstream doesn't change anything, but it does allow them to fund more projects and concerts.

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

If you listen to your local rock station for an hour, you're bound to hear a SoaD song. That's as mainstream as it gets. With that said, I don't think it's a bad thing that good bands can be mainstream. Anyone who thinks a band sucks due to their popularity should burn in music hell.

[YDload]

Yes, let's clear this up now (same thing happens in Tool discussions too):

Fact: System Of A Down is a mainstream band.

Myth: Mainstream bands are always sellouts and never worth listening to.

Get it?

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

The thing is most bands need to "sell out" to keep selling records and keep their recording contract. I just finnished reading a book on record deals and how they work, and for the first time I realized why bands, System Of A Down for example, need to change their sound. The difference of their sound is huge between making nothing or very little, to bigger amounts. Those bigger amounts aren't nearly as big as one might think.

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

Another Fact: No successful band has continually kept the same sound throughout each album.

[Skit]

Fact*: Only 13-15 year olds give a **** about whats mainstream and whats cool to listen to :thumb:


*May actually be made up

[i am the robots]

The thing is most bands need to "sell out" to keep selling records and keep their recording contract. I just finnished reading a book on record deals and how they work, and for the first time I realized why bands, System Of A Down for example, need to change their sound. The difference of their sound is huge between making nothing or very little, to bigger amounts. Those bigger amounts aren't nearly as big as one might think.

Yes, System changed their sound to sell records, that's exactly it man... you've got it :rolleyes:.

In all seriousness, they still kick ***, and they didn't change their sound to what popular metal is now, so how are they sell-outs? Just say you don't like the new record you silly cunt, that's what I did.

[mutant!]

There is nothing wrong with being mainstream. IMHO, there is something wrong with aspiring to be mainstream. In other words, if the masses happen to like the music you write, that's fine. If, however, you write your music, making sacrifices of artistry or whatever, just so the masses adore you, you're on the wrong track.

I could do the flame-/banworthy thing and compare this to being homosecksual (ie it's fine if you are, but wanting to be is dodge). But I won't.

[Dried Muffin Remnants]

Yet, with all of that said.... S/T >>> Mezmerize

[Kyle]

I could do the flame-/banworthy thing and compare this to being homosecksual (ie it's fine if you are, but wanting to be is dodge). But I won't.
not that you just did or anything.

Yet, with all of that said.... S/T >>> MezmerizeI actually like the system albums best in chronolgical order. With Self title being my favorite and then the albums getting slightly less good. Less good are the key words though...they are still good I think.

[Skit]

Stop crying about it, If you dont like it dont listen to it, Simple... :thumb:

[mutant!]

123. I digs Mezmerize, personally.

[Dried Muffin Remnants]

All of the albums are good in my eyes... Also, it's not like STA is that much better than Mezmerize.

S/T is easily the best, though. SOAD should make more songs like SOil and PLUCK.

[deathscreamingsheep]

I like Mezmerize a lot- but from the tracks I have heard from Hypnotize, the latter looks to be much better. It's darker and more brooding with some lovely dischords and some really edgy tones.

[Rusty Metal Head]

Ive heard Hypnttize is much more Heavier than Mezmerize...which is a good thing. I prefer their..erm..whats the word? Rawer stuff like from the Self Titled album.Oh yeah,has anyone heard Johnny? Ive got it, i just wondered which album its on.(i think its a toxicity special)

[Psychotic Sin]

Ha, you're so cool with your "everything sucks onteh rahdieo", additude. System of a Down is just as good now as they ever were after the self-titled album. You're just blinded by the opinions of others and try to make yourself out to be different when the only thing you're making is an *** of yourself. Stop caring what other people think and just listen to the music you like.

Hey, you stupid freaking tight lipped vagina headed posterboy for abortions, stop trying to make me feel stupid :thumb:

I am intitled to my own opinion, so get your thumb out of your *** and blow your brains out.

[YDload]

All of the albums are good in my eyes... Also, it's not like STA is that much better than Mezmerize.

S/T is easily the best, though. SOAD should make more songs like SOil and PLUCK.

No, if SOAD made songs that sounded like earlier songs, then they wouldn't be who they are. They're always going to do new things, and I'm actually relieved that they did so many new things on Mezmerize (like Old School Hollywood) instead of making the same album over and over again.

S/T = Mezmerize > Toxicity > STA

[Kyle]

Hey, you stupid freaking tight lipped vagina headed posterboy for abortions, stop trying to make me feel stupid :thumb:

I am intitled to my own opinion, so get your thumb out of your *** and blow your brains out.
you are entitled to have your opinion, but you're wrong :thumb:

I'd take STA over Mesmerize, STA was my first soad album and I will always love it. in my oppinion there are no songs on mesmerize as good as Mr Jack.

[deathmetal853]

ur gay, mezmerize is better then sta. BYOB is the best song ever

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

Yes, System changed their sound to sell records, that's exactly it man... you've got it :rolleyes:.

In all seriousness, they still kick ***, and they didn't change their sound to what popular metal is now, so how are they sell-outs? Just say you don't like the new record you silly cunt, that's what I did.
I'm not saying they sold out. Actually I think they are still a great band and the new CD has some great songs. I was saying that to thoughs people who said that mainstream is evil and they sold out bull****.

[PepsiMetal]

I'm not saying they sold out. Actually I think they are still a great band and the new CD has some great songs. I was saying that to thoughs people who said that mainstream is evil and they sold out bull****.

Your post was pretty bad even though it was your opinion. I mean, you find few guys who don't know soad's older songs, and you say mainstream is evil and bad. Yippyy..

I like mezmerize more than soad's older stuff, except some songs on toxicity, but Im not that much of a fan or STA, and S/T.

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

Your post was pretty bad even though it was your opinion. I mean, you find few guys who don't know soad's older songs, and you say mainstream is evil and bad. Yippyy..

I like mezmerize more than soad's older stuff, except some songs on toxicity, but Im not that much of a fan or STA, and S/T.

Yeah, and maybe he was talking to those few guys? Come on now, you shouldn't go around criticizing his posts.

For me, it goes like this: S/T=STA=Toxicity>Mezmerize

Not by much, as I basically like every song on each album, but I really did hear a slight decline in quality from Mezmerize.

[Demensia]

i don't understand why people argue over someone elses opinion. f****** retarded! IMO it goes... Steal this album, Toxicity, Mezmerize, Self-Titled.
daron seem to do all the work himself on mezmerize... guitar, MOST of the bass... and nearly all the vocals. It no longer seemed like a band product... but more of a daron product. it was definately a major ground breaker in the music buisiness for someone to make an album completely independent of the band though... so its a big achievment for daron.

[cos you know that i can]

ur gay, mezmerize is better then sta. BYOB is the best song ever
Opinion Nazi :rolleyes:

[mutant!]

ur gay, mezmerize is better then sta. BYOB is the best song ever
...says the Oct 2005 mxer.

[mudvayne420]

It goes like this for me: ST=Toxicity>STA, i don't count mezmorize/Hypnotize becuase in context its one whole album, they just decided to release them seperately.so i don't count it yet until i've heard the whole product.

[Skit]

Theres a 1 minuite 12 second long sample of hypnotize (song) here:
http://rope.zfmq.fimc.net/afamusic/systemofadown_hypnotize56.ram

Yippie! :D

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

Your post was pretty bad even though it was your opinion. I mean, you find few guys who don't know soad's older songs, and you say mainstream is evil and bad. Yippyy..

I like mezmerize more than soad's older stuff, except some songs on toxicity, but Im not that much of a fan or STA, and S/T.
First of all I'm saying that many artists sell out because its either that or they lose their contract. Although, I don't like this, I have recently realized that you gotta do what you gotta do. I was trying to tell people that "selling out" isn't evil. I also did not say in either of my two posts that System Of A Down "sold out."

And secondly I love thier first album. Toxicity is awesome as well, and I really dig STA. Mezmerize was a little disapointing, but I'm starting to listen to again and I really enjoy listening to it. Well except B.Y.O.B. (I can't sand that song, but the rest are great. :thumb: ). Anything else I need to clear up?

[Tele_Dude]

www.systemofadown.com

The full song (hypnotize) is there.

And System havent changed the sound to sell more records, man.. When they where playing shows, people told Serj: "You need to stop screaming, man, you will NEVER get signed", and Serj was like: "Okay, thanks for the advice", and then he countinued screaming =)
They make music that they like themselves, and they always try to maintain System sound, yet still make it sound different. And they have done that, right?

[xrockerachickx]

thats what makes them good. they're themselves. nothing else out there is like them, except for the bands trying to be.

[Aberrationbass]

IMO
Self-titled>toxicity>mesmerise>sta

[Moses]

Hey, you stupid freaking tight lipped vagina headed posterboy for abortions, stop trying to make me feel stupid :thumb:

I am intitled to my own opinion, so get your thumb out of your *** and blow your brains out.
You can have your opinion and I can criticise it if I want to. If you have no defence other than to call me childish names then I'm done here.

Oh, and I'm against abortion.

[Dried Muffin Remnants]

You can have your opinion and I can criticise it if I want to. If you have no defence other than to call me childish names then I'm done here.

Oh, and I'm against abortion.

I think he was trying to say that you should have been aborted...

Well except B.Y.O.B. (I can't sand that song, but the rest are great. ). Anything else I need to clear up?

The music in that song is actually pretty cool. I just can't stand the lyrics...
Case and point: "Why don't presidents fight the war?"

[Moses]

Well he's not so good at words now is he?

[mutant!]

Yes, he is. He's an awesome lyricist IMO. And I like the lines, "Why don't presidents fight the war?/Why do they always send the poor?" They just roll off of the tongue nicely.

Daron is the m3t4l fr33k3y styl3y. John pwnz teh drum sk1llz. Serj rulz. But Shavo can improve. He needs to learn some tasteful slap or something.

[Dried Muffin Remnants]

Yes, he is. He's an awesome lyricist IMO. And I like the lines, "Why don't presidents fight the war?/Why do they always send the poor?" They just roll off of the tongue nicely.

Daron is the m3t4l fr33k3y styl3y. John pwnz teh drum sk1llz. Serj rulz. But Shavo can improve. He needs to learn some tasteful slap or something.

Oh, I thought Moses was talking about the poster... Anyways, I like Serj's lyrics from Toxicity the most; but I wouldn't call him an "awesome lyricist" by any means. Sure, on some songs they have clever metaphors...but all in all, their lyrics are silly. Now with that said, I think Serj is a GREAT vocalist. His voice goes great with their frenetic style of music.

[Kyle]

I think he was trying to say that you should have been aborted...



The music in that song is actually pretty cool. I just can't stand the lyrics...
Case and point: "Why don't presidents fight the war?"
lyrics in general have gone down hill if you ask me. I like serj's lyrics, but Darons get a bit annoying.

[Dried Muffin Remnants]

lyrics in general have gone down hill if you ask me. I like serj's lyrics, but Darons get a bit annoying.

Yeah, that's fair. I could agree with that. Daron should probably should stop singing all together.

[mutant!]

I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I get the feeling they enjoy writing silly lyrics. Maybe that's to ensure they don't fall into the sort of contrivedness that haunts Linkin Park et al.

Maybe that's just me.

[Kyle]

Yeah, that's fair. I could agree with that. Daron should probably should stop singing all together.
I dunno. I think their voices harmonise quite nicely, especially in lost in hollywood. I just dont like the lyrics....radio/video and such are just boring to me.

[Dried Muffin Remnants]

To mutant: Well, of course they enjoy writing those lyrics... It doesn't make them good, though.

[mutant!]

Rephrase: maybe they do it on purpose. I think Serj could gooi some proper poetic stuff if he wanted to, but he just doesn't want to. *Note:* This is just my opinion!

[Kyle]

Serj did write a book of poetry. some of it was good.

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

Yeah, that's fair. I could agree with that. Daron should probably should stop singing all together.
I completely agree. THe only thing I don't like about Hypnotize is the fact that Daron sings way too much, it would have been an amazing song if Serj would have sang alot more. That being said I like it when Daron and Serj sing the "waiting for my..." part.

[+zero+]

i disagree and i really liked the cool gardens book.. had it for a while and then i had to return it to the library, i sound like a nerd,.. but anyways .. ive been listening to Toxicity alot lately and i almost like it more than S/T.. i mean yea S/T is great but ive listened to it so many times.. gotta take a break from it

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

Yeah, my favorite SoaD album is kind of a constant rotation between STA!, S/T, and Toxicity. It mainly depends on my mood, I suppose.

[ozzfest05]

well i was a system freak there first album was great and toxicity was real good steal this album was down hill , and there new album absolutely sucks, lyrics wetn down the ****ter big time, and the total direction they had going for them, well lets just say they got lost, it sucks to see a great band such as this throw it all away just to go on tour again, they didnt put alot of effort in this album, or the effort was just pathetic, the singing is real bad and their edgy guitar riffs became more mainstream, i just hope they can salvage another good cd so they can end on a good note if they end on this one ill call them the band who was once good lmao right on system

[YDload]

well i was a system freak there first album was great and toxicity was real good steal this album was down hill , and there new album absolutely sucks, lyrics wetn down the ****ter big time, and the total direction they had going for them, well lets just say they got lost, it sucks to see a great band such as this throw it all away just to go on tour again, they didnt put alot of effort in this album, or the effort was just pathetic, the singing is real bad and their edgy guitar riffs became more mainstream, i just hope they can salvage another good cd so they can end on a good note if they end on this one ill call them the band who was once good lmao right on system

I've never heard of a mainstream guitar riff before. Besides, the guitars are pretty consistent throughout their discography: nu-metal bar chords with additional "middle-easten" melodies. It hasn't changed, not by a long shot.

[ozzfest05]

i just mean they strayed away from their old style , good example BYOB

[xrockerachickx]

well they did, and some people might call it being a sell out, but i guess after all all they want is more money. what ever gets new people into them, and whatever keeps most of their old fans with them too. it does suck that they changed their style, but hey! all bands do that most of the time

[Moses]

i just mean they strayed away from their old style , good example BYOB
It still sounds like a System song. They were just trying to adopt a new style in just one song. It also has all the time changes and stuff so I don't think it was an attempt to be more accessible.

[Clunge]

Revenga is just the pwniest of System songs :D

[Yppolitia]

I love Violent pr0nography.

[+zero+]

i think all their songs are similar in a way, just their newer stuff isnt as much heavy screaming distorted fast music but is rather more armenian artistic and beautiful sounding..they still have the same style of music in a way, its just now they sound more musical if u know what i mean .. compare like suggestions with question.. they still are like the same style of music, just now they sing and play more harmony like guitar.. thats my opinion on it all.. and i dont think there getting worse, their just grasping a different style of music..

[Sad Statue]

Does anyone know what Daron's pedal setup is? or at least a few of his pedals? im gonna be getting several more pedals soon, and trying to get some from some of my more influential bands.

[UpperDecker]

System Of A Down have changed in a bad way. Their lead singer is hardly even singing anymore and the lyrics just constantly repeat themselves. I myself am not going to buy their new cd unless its more similar to their previous releases. The only pros i can see with the new soad is the guitar playing. besides that they've gotten worse. Sorry if i've offended you, its just an opinion.

[YDload]

System Of A Down have changed in a bad way. Their lead singer is hardly even singing anymore and the lyrics just constantly repeat themselves. I myself am not going to buy their new cd unless its more similar to their previous releases. The only pros i can see with the new soad is the guitar playing. besides that they've gotten worse. Sorry if i've offended you, its just an opinion.

Yes there is less singing from Serj, but the lyrics have always been repetitive. The lyrics booklets even type out every time a line repeats itself, and you'll find that every album has that flaw. Hell, Chop Suey has the same first and second verse!

[PepsiMetal]

i just mean they strayed away from their old style , good example BYOB

BYOB sounds like a soad song. Listen to toxicity, lots of songs sound like byob there. And I do hate when people say, soad sucks cause they're mainstream. That really has nothing to do with how good or bad music is.

Revenga is just the pwniest of System songs :D

Revenga kicks ***. One of the best songs off mezmerize imo.

[UpperDecker]

YDload and PepsiMetal you are both right in a way. the lyrics have always been somewhat repetitive and BYOB does kick *** but for some reason Mezmerize got so irritating to me. i cant listen to it anymore. Where's the outstanding songs like Spiders and P.L.U.C.K.??? I think they just got lazy on this record. hope the new one is better.

[YDload]

I don't know where you get the idea that SOAD "got lazy" on the new album, especially since it's so full of new ideas and original songs, despite being only HALF of the complete double album.

[UpperDecker]

new ideas??? radio/video should be on the teletubbies or something i mean come on. your supposed to mature as musicians, not go backwards. the only songs that are good (to me) are Question,BYOB and Lost In Hollywood without the lyrics "throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care".

[YDload]

new ideas??? radio/video should be on the teletubbies or something i mean come on. your supposed to mature as musicians, not go backwards. the only songs that are good (to me) are Question,BYOB and Lost In Hollywood without the lyrics "throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care".

The only thing wrong with Radio/Video is that its lyrical premise has already been done to death. However, the musical part of it is fantastic; the way they stretch out the Greek music part is like "Deer Dance" or "Nuguns" with even more beauty to it.

[UpperDecker]

The only thing wrong with Radio/Video is that its lyrical premise has already been done to death. However, the musical part of it is fantastic; the way they stretch out the Greek music part is like "Deer Dance" or "Nuguns" with even more beauty to it.[/QUOTE]

ok thats true but i still think they aren't as good as they once were. but this happens to alot of bands.

[Moses]

Radio Video has a total of like 15 different words (exaggerating) and I think they got lazy lyrically. That said, the musical aspect seems more mature and it seems like Daron really knows what he's doing in that department. I think he should stop singing and writing lyrics and keep writing riffs and songs. Sad Statue has probably the best main riff he's ever written, it can't be beat and Question! is just so intense, not to mention the cool 5/4 time signature. Daron is definately a genius, but he needs to know that he's not good at everything.

[UpperDecker]

Radio Video has a total of like 15 different words and I think they got lazy lyrically. That said, the musical aspect seems more mature and it seems like Daron really knows what he's doing in that department. I think he should stop singing and writing lyrics and keep writing riffs and songs. Sad Statue has probably the best main riff he's ever written, it can't be beat and Question! is just so intense, not to mention the cool 5/4 time signature. Daron is definately a genius, but he needs to know that he's not good at everything.

I couldn't agree more.

[YDload]

No, I think that BECAUSE it happens to so many bands, you've prejudged the new album to be their worst and refused to believe anything else once it came out. I'll admit, I wasn't too excited for the new album either, but when I heard it (especially "Question!" which is easily one of their best and probably TOO good to be a single), my mind changed.

Here are some popular bands which have continued to deteriorate over the years and albums (sometimes they have really good debuts that nobody has heard of):

Nickelback
Mudvayne
Chevelle
Korn
Puddle of Mudd
Limp Bizkit

most of these bands started out at least tolerable, and some of them were even GOOD, but with each new album we've come to dread hearing them on the radio again. I may have gotten sick of hearing BYOB on the airwaves all the time, but the rest of the songs on the album prove that they have progressed and will continue to evolve as a band.

As long as Daron stops singing by himself of course, he should stay with backing vocals and I think most people agree with that.

[Moses]

Yeah, I love the harmonies they do, but I hate when Daron sings by himself.

Mudvayne only got progressively worse because they had four years to write their debut and it was really genius to anyone that really gets it. If you start too high up it'll be hard to keep it that way. On the new one they tried too much radio rock stuff for me to listen to it all the way. Mudvayne isn't really meant for that. I WANT ANOTHER SEVERED!!!

[DaveTheAmazing]

Incase it hasn't already been mentioned, or incase no one knows yet, Hypnotise is available to listen to on the official Soad website. (http://www.systemofadown.com/)

If it has already been mentioned, I appologise. Anyway, its a kick *** song!

Im just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl. do do odo do

[mutant!]

...Lost In Hollywood without the lyrics "throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care".
You know that's quoting Backstreet Boys, right?

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

Here are some popular bands which have continued to deteriorate over the years and albums (sometimes they have really good debuts that nobody has heard of):

Nickelback
Mudvayne
Chevelle
Korn
Puddle of Mudd
Limp Bizkit

most of these bands started out at least tolerable, and some of them were even GOOD, but with each new album we've come to dread hearing them on the radio again.

I'm going to have to disagree with you. I think TEOATTC is a great album with lots of great songs (especially the last half) and WWN is better than Chevelle's first CD.

Anyway, I've been listening to RATM's live CD a lot lately and I think System should realese a live album next. :thumb: Any thoughts on that?

[Down'd Angel]

so who all has listened to Hypnotize, Kill Rock 'n Roll, and Holy Mountain?

i really like these three songs...its shows that this is gonna be a great cd... :D

[+zero+]

Yeah, I love the harmonies they do, but I hate when Daron sings by himself.

Mudvayne only got progressively worse because they had four years to write their debut and it was really genius to anyone that really gets it. If you start too high up it'll be hard to keep it that way. On the new one they tried too much radio rock stuff for me to listen to it all the way. Mudvayne isn't really meant for that. I WANT ANOTHER SEVERED!!!

thats very true, and I WANT ANOTHER KNOW FOREVER! or NOTHING TO GEIN!!!

[+zero+]

so who all has listened to Hypnotize, Kill Rock 'n Roll, and Holy Mountain?

i really like these three songs...its shows that this is gonna be a great cd... :D
i heard all of them.. and i like them all.. but i really like kill rock n roll.

[Down'd Angel]

i heard all of them.. and i like them all.. but i really like kill rock n roll.

i love holy mountain...the intro is amazing, bassist and guitarist are really in key with one another...all tranquel and then just boom...

[telecaster67]

i went to see the system right before school started. it was a sweet concert, exept i didnt like the starting bands, mars volta and some other freakshows.

[Kyle]

i went to see the system right before school started. it was a sweet concert, exept i didnt like the starting bands, mars volta and some other freakshows.
It annoys me that so many people are seeing Mars Volta at system shows and don't even like them, when I am trying so hard to go to one of their shows.

[xrockerachickx]

damm life is a bitch dude. when i go see them ill let u get in to see TMV and then ill see SOAD lol

[xrockerachickx]

so who all has listened to Hypnotize, Kill Rock 'n Roll, and Holy Mountain?

i really like these three songs...its shows that this is gonna be a great cd... :D
where @?

[PepsiMetal]

They were posted here few months ago. You can find them on limewire though. Kill Rock N roll and Holy Mountain are taped from a concert so the quality isn't the best.

[Stinkfist2]

Serj and Daron became friends in 1993 when they met in a a recording studio and created the band SoilDo you mean the band Soil that has the songs Halo, Pride, Unreal, and Breaking Me Down?!

[+zero+]

Do you mean the band Soil that has the songs Halo, Pride, Unreal, and Breaking Me Down?!
no. thats just a band that later took the name.

[G_Mac07]

I'm digging Mesmerise right now. I didn't think too much of it when it first came out, but lately I've been loving it. Lost In Hollywood is such a good song.

*bump*

[-The Frank]

^^^ my friend just gave me mezmerize as a present

[Kyle]

^^^ my friend just gave me mezmerize as a present
I have Mesmerize copied because I didn't like it all that much when I heard it at a friends. I will probably get it with the new album if they ever release them as a set.

[UpperDecker]

When i first got Mesmerize it was so awesome. All the songs are so catchy and i learned every single one on guitar. Now its all annoying to me for some reason except for Questions and Sad Statue. I think the main reason i got turned off was Daron's vocals and the lack of good lyrics. Though SOAD are still one of the best bands of today.

[+zero+]

i think the cds good although ive overly listened to it.. i listen to at least one song on the cd pretty much every day.. but today i switched it up and was listening to S/T in my car.. i like all of their work.

[Skit]

Heres the Hypnotize cover art for anyone who hasnt seen it yet:

http://www.systemofadown.com/images/HypnotizeFrontCoverWeb.jpg

:thumb:

[Kyle]

Heres the Hypnotize cover art for anyone who hasnt seen it yet:

http://www.systemofadown.com/images/HypnotizeFrontCoverWeb.jpg

:thumb:
It's like their website. I quite like it, its more artistic than mesmerize if that makes any sense.

[UpperDecker]

If Hypnotize is anything like Mesmerize i won't buy it. they sound like they were targeting little kids on that album. just rediculous lyrics

[YDload]

If Hypnotize is anything like Mesmerize i won't buy it. they sound like they were targeting little kids on that album. just rediculous lyrics

What the hell is wrong with you? You keep acting like this is the first time SOAD has ever done anything silly or ridiculous (learn how to spell that word) with regards to lyrics or melodies.

"The ships are multiplying day after day sir and they're coming close to the shore sir shore sir!"

"Sugar!"

"Bounce pogo pogo pogo pogo pogo pogo pogo!"

"Pepperoni and green peppers mushrooms olives chives!"

And of course pretty much all of I-E-A-I-A-I-O. Sometimes it's not just the lyrics that make the song silly, but the goofy voices Serj uses. Either way, you're just proving how biased your opinion is toward new albums from a band whose earlier catalogue has earned your undying support.

[UpperDecker]

What the hell is wrong with you? You keep acting like this is the first time SOAD has ever done anything silly or ridiculous (learn how to spell that word) with regards to lyrics or melodies.

"The ships are multiplying day after day sir and they're coming close to the shore sir shore sir!"

"Sugar!"

"Bounce pogo pogo pogo pogo pogo pogo pogo!"

"Pepperoni and green peppers mushrooms olives chives!"

And of course pretty much all of I-E-A-I-A-I-O. Sometimes it's not just the lyrics that make the song silly, but the goofy voices Serj uses. Either way, you're just proving how biased your opinion is toward new albums from a band whose earlier catalogue has earned your undying support.

First of all i dont like Pogo, second of all i know they have silly lyrics like in Sugar but "Hey man look at me rockin out im on the radio" for the whole **** song is rediculous. "throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care" also why did they make me pay the full price of a cd when it's supposed to be half of the cd???? they just want the money

[YDload]

First of all i dont like Pogo, second of all i know they have silly lyrics like in Sugar but "Hey man look at me rockin out im on the radio" for the whole **** song is rediculous. "throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care" also why did they make me pay the full price of a cd when it's supposed to be half of the cd???? they just want the money

Goddammit you're hopeless. Stop inventing reasons for not liking the new album and just chalk it up to a gut feeling in yourself.

[mutant!]

"throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care"
I wish people would stop citing that as an example of silly SOAD lyrics. It's a quote from Backstreet Boys, dammit.

I'm dead serious.

[UpperDecker]

I wish people would stop citing that as an example of silly SOAD lyrics. It's a quote from Backstreet Boys, dammit.

I'm dead serious.

yea well they decided to put it in one of their songs. I'm not trying to make up reasons to not like the cd, i'm just stating my reasons for not liking it. Personally the instruments are great, very tight and inventive though like i said i can't stand most the lyrics.

[Skit]

Where did you hear that it was a reference to the backstreet boys?
The whole song is about how hollywood screws you over and the BSBs have no connections with hollywood that Im aware of...

[Ninja Bass Man]

Any comparison of SOAD to BSB I think is very offensive to SOAD.

[mutant!]

I'm not comparing them. It's a quote. Google the lyrics to "Backstreet's Back".

Maybe it's some deep metaphor of how commercialist nonsensical lyrics like that can sell records - I don't know. Maybe Daron was just high when he decided to write that song.

[Ninja Bass Man]

Either way, it is one of my favorite songs. And I do agree with what you say about nonsensical lyrics. Just look at Weird Al.

[Spiritofmosa]

maybe bsb gets high when writing songs

[Ninja Bass Man]

Ya'know, I wouldn't doubt that one bit. I have observed that only two kinds of people listen to bsb; people who can't play an instrument, and people who have no common sense. Am I wrong?

[mutant!]

maybe bsb gets high when writing songs
rofl :lol:

I love BYOB. In fact, I dig that whole CD apart from maybe Violent Pornography and Radio-Video. I can listen to Cigaro over... and over... and over again. And Old School Hollywood too.

System rocks my socks. \m/

[Ninja Bass Man]

I really like This cocaine makes me feel like I'm on this song, but that is a REALLY long name for a song.

And yes,
System rocks everyones socks

[Skit]

So your basing it on the fact that theres that same lyric in a backstreet boys song!?
:lol:

I'd say Darons been on the pot again, He must be I mean, He's writing some rather lame lyrics AND he thinks his current hair cut is cool ;)

[Ninja Bass Man]

HAHAHA! He does look kind of odd, now doesn't he?
Whats with Serj and the new look?
He no longer has the founky beard and his hair is all....poofy.

[Skit]

Serj looks great, He used to have that look back at the start.

If you havent seen live gigs recently you might not have seen how truely terrible Darons hair has become:
http://decaysystem.com/Gallery/albums/ZMISC/SOAD/2005-09-17_00041.jpg

Its some weird mullet/curtains hybrid :amaze:

[mutant!]

Every rocker goes through a poofy hair phase. Look at Mike Einziger.

I'm waiting for Daron's dreadlock or mohawk phase.

[Spiritofmosa]

wow soad is playing at the mtv europe music awards05! they sure r getting mainstream

[Skit]

Every rocker goes through a poofy hair phase. Look at Mike Einziger.

I'm waiting for Daron's dreadlock or mohawk phase.

He's already had a mohawk face n00b :thumb:

wow soad is playing at the mtv europe music awards05! they sure r getting mainstream

Yeah I heard that... Sellouts! ;)

[mutant!]

wow soad is playing at the mtv europe music awards05! they sure r getting mainstream
Yes, but "mainstream" only means a lot of people like them.

Maybe it just took the rest of the world longer to realise SOAD's genius than it took us. :thumb:

[mutant!]

He's already had a mohawk face n00b :thumb:
****! Did I miss that?!

****! I'm in my mohawk phase right now. When school closes in a month and a half I'm shaving a proper one. But who will I aspire to be like now? Who will lead me in mohawky m3t4ln3ss?

[Ninja Bass Man]

Tim Unseen! LMAO!!!!

[Six Foot Revolver]

wow soad is playing at the mtv europe music awards05! they sure r getting mainstream
SOAD have been mainstream for several years now, get over it.

[Skit]

I just realised I said face instead of phase :lol:

Heres some pics of Darons mohawk back in the old days (1997-1999 I think):
http://soadfans.com/modules/My_eGallery/gallery/DARON/rare50.jpg
http://soadfans.com/modules/My_eGallery/gallery/DARON/06.jpg
http://soadfans.com/modules/My_eGallery/gallery/DARON/39.jpg
http://soadfans.com/modules/My_eGallery/gallery/DARON/WOW.jpg

(It wasnt always pink, but there the only pics I can get)

I think this is the closest he's been to dreads:
http://soadfans.com/modules/My_eGallery/gallery/DARON/22.jpg

[Ninja Bass Man]

Just cause I feel like asking, didn't he have that semi-dread style in the video for "Toxicity"?
Or have I lost my mind?

[Skit]

No he didnt have his hair braided in the video he just had it flat, Same length etc though.

[Dave de Sylvia]

http://decaysystem.com/Gallery/albums/ZMISC/SOAD/2005-09-17_00041.jpg

Woah.

I'm about to listen to Mesmerize for the first time. I downloaded it shortly after its release and never unzipped it. I bet the band would be proud of me for fighting the neo-liberal capitalist agenda. :p

[mutant!]

Nice.

Listen to it in order, it's no use if you listen to it shuffled 'cause the first and last tracks open and close the album nicely.

[xrockerachickx]

^ yeah, pretty much

[YDload]

SOAD have been mainstream for several years now, get over it.

Since 1998 when I first saw the video for "Spiders" and "Sugar" on MTV. Didn't take them long to get noticed due to sheer freakiness (and of course a really great debut album).

[xrockerachickx]

yeah, awesome... it is pretty mainstream cuz there is no one that says they've never heard of them... thats pretty mainstream to me

[Skit]

Yes there mainstream, But why does that matter?

[mutant!]

It doesn't. Or at least it shouldn't. I don't care.

[DWJK]

saw some people talking about lost in hollywood earlier.. my interpretation of the lyrics is just a guy from a small town writing a letter to his friend who went to Hollywood to become "famous" (I'll wait here, You're crazy, Those viscious streets are filled with strays, You should have never gone to Hollywood.). In a nutshell, he's promised all these great things by agents, etc.. he gets ****ed one way or another, and decides to go shoot all of them

All you maggots smoking fags on Santa Monica Boulevard,
All you maggots smoking fags out there on Sunset Boulevard.
All you maggots smoking fags out there on Hollywood Boulevard.
^ Where he's shooting them ^

All you bitches put your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care. < Them running away

So I'm pretty sure Daron had intended it to have little or nothing to do with BSB

Awesome song, one of my favorites on the album :thumb:

[YDload]

He doesn't shoot them, he doesn't do anything. He's just ranting.

[xrockerachickx]

saw some people talking about lost in hollywood earlier.. my interpretation of the lyrics is just a guy from a small town writing a letter to his friend who went to Hollywood to become "famous" (I'll wait here, You're crazy, Those viscious streets are filled with strays, You should have never gone to Hollywood.). In a nutshell, he's promised all these great things by agents, etc.. he gets ****ed one way or another, and decides to go shoot all of them

All you maggots smoking fags on Santa Monica Boulevard,
All you maggots smoking fags out there on Sunset Boulevard.
All you maggots smoking fags out there on Hollywood Boulevard.
^ Where he's shooting them ^

All you bitches put your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care. < Them running away

So I'm pretty sure Daron had intended it to have little or nothing to do with BSB

Awesome song, one of my favorites on the album :thumb:
hmmm, well idk bout the shooting part, but pretty damm close to my interpretation

[DWJK]

More lyrics to prove it.

This is my front page, < Front page of the newspaper
This is my new age, < Self-Explanitory

Look at all of them beg to stay, < Self-Explanitory
Phoney people come to pray. < People praying etc.. for the dead

I don't know, if it isn't about shooting people, it seems all too coincidental.

[+zero+]

i never thought of the song that way.. thats interesting..

[Skit]

It IS about writing a letter to a friend who has moved to hollywood Daron said so in an interview.

[Ninja Bass Man]

Oh god!!!!
I finally looked at that...monstrosity on top of Daron's head.
MY EYES!!!! THEY BURN!!!!
But I read the lyrics and there is no question cause he says:
I wrote you, and told you
Those vicious streets are filled with strays

[6stringslinger]

According to bassist Shavo Odadjian, System of a Down had planned to open Hypnotize — the second half of the band's Mezmerize/ Hypnotize double LP — with the sweeping instrumental "Hezze." Instead, the track was dropped

"We wanted to start off really heavy," Odadjian said. And as System's fans will learn on November 22, when the 12-track/40-minute album hits stores, "Attack" fulfills that mission admirably, with speed-metal blast beats and brutal, start-stop riffage that raise System to new levels of heaviness (see "System Of A Down Album Preview: Band Pulls No Punches With The Pummeling Mezmerize" and "System Of A Down Kick Out The Jams On Hypnotize").

There are numerous similarities between the two albums: Both are rife with tandem vocals from frontman Serj Tankian and guitarist Daron Malakian, as well as unconventional and drastic time changes, blistering guitar sections interspersed with placid moments, and tracks that blend seamlessly into one another. But Hypnotize, taken as a whole, is a more thunderous and mystifying LP.

The mind-pulverizing racket of the album's second cut, "Dreaming," is highlighted by Malakian's crisp vocals, which dispense bizarre lyrics like, "For treated indigenously, digenously/ Human right is private blue chip, pry." Simultaneously, Tankian's frenzied voice rattles off lyrics at breakneck speed: "We're the prophetic generation of bottled water, bottled water/ Causing poor populations to die, to die, to die."

Malakian is the star of "Kill Rock 'n Roll," on which he proclaims, "I felt like the biggest a--hole/ When I killed your rock 'n roll," with an almost Bon Scott delivery. The song, which the band has been playing live for months, eventually morphs from jarring, start-stop rhythms into minimal guitars and neo-funk drumming (see "System Of A Down 'Kill Rock 'N' Roll' With Volta In SoCal"). Next up is "Hypnotize," the album's first single, which features Middle Eastern-tinged guitars and keen lyricism: "Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen Square/ Was fashion the reason why they were there?"

"Stealing Society" kicks off its fervent tempo with a bassline that sounds co-opted from the Descendents and follows with fierce drumming, frantic guitar abuse and breakdowns galore. "Vicinity of Obscenity" finds Tankian repetitively speed-belting some characteristically nonsensical lyrics — "Banana, banana, banana, terra cotta/ Banana, banana, banana, terra cotta pie" — before the track wanders into disco lunacy, with Serj crooning, "Do we all learn defeat/ From the whores with bad feet?"

The convulsive, fast-paced "Tentative" features an electric cello toward the end, capping off three minutes of spastic vocals and crushing bass hooks. The gentle guitars featured in the triumphant "U-Fig" — which are sandwiched between ferocious riffs — recall Red Hot Chili Peppers axeman John Frusciante's solo strumming. "Holy Mountains," which showcases Tankian and Malakian's powerful harmonies, pummels the listener with bruising drums and guitar licks, but then softens the blow with delicate violins and orchestration.

Malakian handles the bulk of the vocals on "Lonely Day," with Tankian surfacing for the track's harmonized choruses; the tune's complex, intricate riffs leave one wondering just how System are going to replicate it live. Violins are employed once again during Hypnotize's closer, the politically charged "Soldier Side," which completes "Soldier Side (Intro)," Mezmerize's opening track. "They were crying when their sons left/ God is wearing black," Tankian wails. "He's gone so far to find no hope/ He's never coming back."

Hypnotize will be released as both a CD and a DualDisc, with the latter containing behind-the-scenes footage shot during the making of both records.

For more on System of a Down's double album, Mezmerize/Hypnotize, check out the feature "Doubleheader." Look at next post.

— Chris Harris

[6stringslinger]

"Doubleheader"

It was the 45th annual Hollywood Stars game at Dodger Stadium, and System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian felt as out of place as he looked in his oversized uniform.

Tony Danza, David Arquette and Norm MacDonald were among those gathered on the field, schmoozing with the media, signing autographs for the Dodgers players and, for the most part, ignoring the only legitimate rock star there (sorry, Frankie Avalon).

Daron at The Hollywood Stars baseball game


"That whole day was very strange for me because I went there just being a guy not taking it so seriously," Malakian recalls on a recent Friday night in the studio, where he's back in the metal band uniform of black T-shirt, black leather jacket and black jeans. "I just wanted to get a shot at hitting the ball, to just be at Dodger Stadium on the field because I'm a sports fan, but everyone else there were wearing cups and they were all in uniform and there was a coach on the team. I was really uncomfortable that day, to be honest with you."

That night, after doing an interview with the one reporter who recognized him, Malakian went home and wrote "Old School Hollywood," one of the most irate yet oddly comical tracks on System of a Down's new double album, Mezmerize/Hypnotize.

"That's just what happens to me when I go through some kind of traumatic experience," he says, laughing as he shoots a look at his longtime publicist, who arranged the game. "In her defense, I wanted to do it, but I didn't know what I was getting into. I would never do it again."

Since System of a Down were last in the studio, sessions that produced both the landmark Toxicity and Steal This Album!, Malakian's life has been marked by traumatic experiences, mainly America's invasion of Iraq, where several of his relatives live, and the government's ongoing refusal to recognize the Armenian genocide. Both were fuel for Mezmerize/Hypnotize.

"I was going through a tougher time ... But having some turmoil usually brings out the best in you, artistically."
— Daron Malakian


"There is a lot of emotion that I spilled out, and I am very lucky to have that outlet in music," says Malakian, who wrote the music and most of the lyrics for the new material. "Maybe that's why I wrote more lyrics, 'cause I was going through a tougher time and I think that everybody in the band understood that and understood that I wanted to express that. We're not one kind of band. I can't say we're just political. Lyrics run into so many different things. But having some turmoil usually brings out the best in you, artistically."
The war and the Armenian genocide (in which the Ottoman Turks killed as many as 1.5 million Armenians between 1895 and 1915) as well as homelessness and the other passions of singer Serj Tankian's Axis of Justice political-action network (which he formed with Audioslave's Tom Morello), have been the focus of several emotional, sometimes tearful System interviews with MTV News over the past few years. This is the first time since the "Aerials" video shoot that they've sat down to discuss solely music, and while there's a definite excitement in the air as they play back a few tracks, the traumatic experiences are not exactly history.

"We have a very personal approach to politics, or political approach to personal things, whichever one you want to say."
— Serj Tankian


"I feel like this record is really balanced in a lot of ways with thoughts, with ideas, with music, and in terms of social or political [topics] or anything like that," reflects Tankian, still in the pinstripe sport coat he donned for a photo shoot earlier. "I think one thing we were realizing doing a bunch of interviews together is that we have a very personal approach to politics, or political approach to personal things, whichever one you want to say. And there is something that we do with that that somehow it grabs people. I think it has to do with that we take things on a very personal level. [For example,] like 'Hypnotize,' one of the verses will talk about, let's say Tiananmen Square [where Chinese students held pro-democracy demonstrations in 1989], and then you get into 'I'm just sitting in my car.' It's very personal."

"Hypnotize," like some of System's most memorable songs, finds Serj and Daron singing the same simple line ("I'm just sitting in my car/ Waiting for my girl") over and over, but the music and the way it's sung keep it from sounding repetitive. The song's two verses, although only four lines each, inspired the titles of the double album (Mezmerize is due May 17th, followed six months later by Hypnotize, because "people don't have the attention span to listen to two albums at one time," Malakian says, "and the songs need space for digesting").

"They disguise it, hypnotize it/ Television made you buy it," Malakian sings in the opening verse. "Mesmerize the simple-minded/ Propaganda leaves us blinded," he sings later.

"It's a reflection of what I see in a crazy snowballing world of people walking around like zombies," Malakian explains. "We are condemned for things, and then we're sold the same things that we're condemned for. Like, they say, 'Child molestation is bad,' but Calvin Klein goes and signs a 13-year-old model and spreads her legs [in an advertisement]."

Of course, the title "Hypnotize" and the track itself — and in fact all of System's music — is open to and meant for interpretation. Malakian and Tankian are adamant that no System song is about one thing.

"Cigaro"


Malakian on "Cigaro"


Take, for instance, "Cigaro," an untamed tiger of a track that was leaked on the Internet last month and became an instant hit on KROQ-FM in Los Angeles. The song begins and ends with the line "My c--- is much bigger than yours" and has Tankian blurting out the chorus "Cool, in denial/ We're the cruel regulators smoking cigaro."

"We've talked about it being a political song, we've talked about it being a song about ego, we just recently spoke about it as [being about] not having balls enough to have a sex change," Malakian says. "It's all over the board. And System of a Down will always be all over the board in my opinion. ... When you're shooting out art and you aren't blocking yourself and you aren't censoring yourself, you're going to shoot out a lot of different sides of yourself that you usually block. I believe in just doing natural mutations of something, like giving birth to something, not thinking about it before or after, just doing it."

System apply the same approach to their music, only amended to suit their perfectionism.

"The motto of this band from day one is that no idea is a bad idea until it doesn't work," Malakian says as Tankian, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan nod in accord. "Some things end up working our way and some things don't, but if you don't try it, then you never know. Just keep the flow going. Let's try to come across new things. Let's try to impress ourselves before we can impress anyone else."

As System of a Down have matured as musicians, one of music's most experimental bands has only gotten more willing to try new things, especially Malakian. One night while working on the new album and struggling to get the exact guitar sound swimming in his head, he brought in every guitar in producer (or "song doctor," as the band calls him) Rick Rubin's home studio and mounted them on the wall. Daron pointed his amplifiers at the guitars and started playing, with the vibrations off the guitar strings creating a one-of-a-kind sound.

Oftentimes during the writing and recording sessions, Malakian would call one of his bandmates, play him a song from another band over the phone and say, "That's how I want [insert instrument] to sound on [insert song]." But don't think that sort of behavior makes it OK to call System a technical band.

"We're very misunderstood about being technical, and we're not," Malakian explains. "We're trying to get the right vibe from that snare. We aren't trying to say, 'Add this frequency to that frequency.' It's not a math project, it's more the feeling that you get when you hear the snare or any other instrument that we've thrown onto the record. It's just walking in and knowing what you want."

"No idea is a bad idea until it doesn't work"
— Daron Malakian


It's clear after talking about Mezmerize/Hypnotize for a while that it's Malakian's baby. The guitarist produced the album with Rubin and sings lead vocals on several tracks. While this might cause friction with a less secure band, it's a non-issue for System.

"If the song doesn't call for my voice then I'll shut up," Malakian says. "If it calls for my voice, then I'll sing it. Me and Serj both believe that it's always what's best for the song as vocalists, and that's the mentality as a whole band. John doesn't try to overplay something, even though he can. He really plays solid for the song. We all play it for the song."

"And we're getting better at articulating what the other person is gonna do," Dolmayan adds. "All the years of touring have definitely helped with that. We are more in contact with each other's souls when it comes to playing."

Malakian, ever the sports fan, likens the band to a basketball team.

"You might have four or five or six star players on your team, but if they don't pass the ball to each other, then they aren't going to win," he says. "I've seen great teams who have big rosters, payrolls and stuff, but they can't get along with each other, they have egos, attitudes, whatever, and no one passes and they don't win. You know what team wins? That team of rookies that are hungry."

— by Corey Moss

[xrockerachickx]

kool...

[Ninja Bass Man]

I agree...

[+zero+]

i scrolled through it fast. are those the meanings of the songs or something.?

[Skit]

Thast quite old news... But thanks anyway :Thumb:

[Chris]

Do any of you think that the song 'Hypnotize' is a bit disapointing?

[Kyle]

I most certainly do, really average.

[Chris]

I most certainly do, really average.

It thought it was really poor, and boring.

[Ninja Bass Man]

Does anyone know where i could stream it from (not illegally) cause I'd like to hear it for myself.

[Rage_Against_The_PC]

Do any of you think that the song 'Hypnotize' is a bit disapointing?
lot more melodic then some of the songs on mezmorize , hopefully all the songs on hypnotize wont be as melodic

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

the second half of the band's Mezmerize/ Hypnotize double LP — with the sweeping instrumental "Hezze." Instead, the track was dropped
WTF??? I was really excited to hear that song.:angry: Well, SOAD just can't stop disapointing me.

Oftentimes during the writing and recording sessions, Malakian would call one of his bandmates, play him a song from another band over the phone and say, "That's how I want [insert instrument] to sound on [insert song]." But don't think that sort of behavior makes it OK to call System a technical band.
Note to Daron: YOU AREN'T IN CONTROL OF THE BAND!!!!

[YDload]

Note to Daron: YOU AREN'T IN CONTROL OF THE BAND!!!!

he sounds pretty in control to me, and the other band members dont really seem to care.

[xrockerachickx]

mmmmm hmmmm

[mudvayne420]

WEll i want to know if anybody knows the name of their old bassist back when they were called soil.

[Skit]

They didnt have a bassist it was just Serj and Daron.

They had an old drummer called Andy K (**** knows how to spell his last name) though :thumb:

[Ninja Bass Man]

When SoaD was soil, haow many albums did they have?

[Six Foot Revolver]

When SoaD was soil, haow many albums did they have?
They didn't release an album when they were Soil.

[Ninja Bass Man]

so, any songs? anything?

[Six Foot Revolver]

so, any songs? anything?
Not that I am aware of but they probably did record some songs while being Soil.

[mudvayne420]

I heard on Soadfans.com that They had an old bassist but he Commited suicide and Thats where they came up with the song soil because he couldn't handle his life.
Thats where i heard it, but i don't know......

[Ninja Bass Man]

woah... thats not cool....

[Neoteric]

Does anyone know where i could stream it from (not illegally) cause I'd like to hear it for myself.
The full song is on the official site.

[Ninja Bass Man]

OH!! Thats a duh on my part! I heard it the other day while visiting the site!!
(OR at least I'm pretty sure i heard it, you mean on the track list, right?)If that is the right song, should REALLY take ridalin or some thing.
I didn't treally like the song much. But it's by SoaD, so I give it some kudos.

[xrockerachickx]

lol. yeah everyone should haha

[Skit]

Soil didnt release any albums etc the only thing that exists of there stuff is a jam session but good luck in finding that :thumb:

[+zero+]

I'm pretty sure when soad was soil there songs were outer space, soil, and friik! or blue i think. and there was one more.. i forget. suggestions i think. if you go to some unnoficial soad site(i forgot what it was called) you can take a quiz on soad and it has some interesing stuff that most people dont know about the band.. and thats something i found out.

[Rage_Against_The_PC]

Whens Hypnotize out ?

[+zero+]

november 22nd. duh.. the same day as xbox 360.. woot!

[Skit]

I'm pretty sure when soad was soil there songs were outer space, soil, and friik! or blue i think. and there was one more.. i forget. suggestions i think. if you go to some unnoficial soad site(i forgot what it was called) you can take a quiz on soad and it has some interesing stuff that most people dont know about the band.. and thats something i found out.

Outerspace is from the Toxicity / STA sessions
Blue and Friik are from somewhere between '95 and '97
And soil is from one of the '97 demo tapes.




Just ordered Hypnotize on pre-order from systemofadown.com :thumb:

[+zero+]

outer space is old tho.. are you sure your not thinking of cherry(virginity)?

[Skit]

No, its from the toxicity sessions and its real name is actually Forever :thumb:

[blujelly]

are S.O.A.D releasing a new album becuase on the Kerrang they said they have a new album out soon called phscho, or something. Does anyone know what it is called? i thought it is was bloody quick another album in 1 year!

[Daven]

I think its called Hypnotize.

[blujelly]

thats the one i was impressed 2 albums in about 8 months i think

[Triumph of Death]

Well, the more albums they release, the more money they make, and we all know that's the only thing they think of.

[blujelly]

lol, has any heard any clips of the album if you have is it any good?

[Dude3]

*snickers*

[Six Foot Revolver]

They wrote both the albums before even recording Mesmerize. The new album is more of a Mesmerize part 2.

[blujelly]

ooooo so its gona be alright-ish

[GenuineImitation]

I wasnt too impressed by Mezmorize, so I hope Hypnotized is better. Mezmorize was pretty good, but I enjoy S/T and Toxicity much better.

[blujelly]

yeh i like there old stuff much more. i like B.Y.O.B though

[GenuineImitation]

B.Y.O.B. and Question are the only songs I like off of Mesmerize.

[Drunken Viking]

Its proably gonna be close to Mezmerize, just not songs with stupid lyrics like B.Y.O.B..

[blujelly]

B.Y.O.B. and Question are the only songs I like off of Mesmerize.
snap i like the others but i prefer these 2 the most!

[Six Foot Revolver]

B.Y.O.B was a crap song in my opinion, my least favourite off Mesmerize. Mesmerize itself is probably the worst System album so far but from what I have heard of Hypnotize, their new release has the potential to be a brilliant album.

[+zero+]

hmm.. the 2 singles are the 2 you like.. ever try actually giving the rest of the songs a shot?

[blujelly]

when does it come out?

[Dude3]

I personally HATED their latest album, and am not roo interested in Hypnotize.

I'm one of those typical "The first SOAD cd was the best!" people.

[blujelly]

well im gona dwnld a view if possible. cya layers

[GenuineImitation]

hmm.. the 2 singles are the 2 you like.. ever try actually giving the rest of the songs a shot?


Yeah, I have the cd. I just dont like the other songs, no matter how many times I listen to them.

[UpperDecker]

If its like their latest cd, it will blow. period.

[Tsuruka]

The song Hyptnotise is one of SOAD's better songs ever.

The Tianamen Square line blew me out of my world.

[Mambuto_O'Mally]

I think its good not great. I'm gonna buy it still, even if they aren't putting on the intrumental. :upset:

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

I'm not a fan of BYOB either. Question is my favorite song off the album, though. I think it far surpasses any of the other songs. Radio/Video is a very groovy song too, though.

[PepsiMetal]

I dont know why people dont like mezmerize I found it to be a perfect soad album. Lots of different songs, none of them are same style. I dont think hypnotize will be better, but we will find out in november. I personally think all soad's albums are equal as they all are good and different in their own way. I can't say which one i like the most since I listen to them all equally and enjoy them all. Hypnotize track was a bit cheesy when I heard it.

[+zero+]

yea i really like their new stuff also.. you gotta learn to appreciate it cuz if it all sounds the same im sure people would be complaining about it sounding the same.. at least their experimenting.

[laba]

What is the message to "Cigaro"?

" MY **** is much bigger than yours!*"

What's it mean? I have a general idea but just want to double check

[Skit]

^
Replace it with "My army is bigger that yours!" and you basically get what the whole song is about :thumb:

[Kyle]

nice double post.

Hey Skit, what era is Marmalade from, thats my favorite unreleased song:D

[Skit]

Yeah sorry about that, I posted it yesterday when the boards where ****ed and I couldnt get on to delete it... Deleted now :thumb:

Marmalade was played live alot in '97 and was recorded with the Self titled album... I think it was actually a bonus track on the Japanese Version.

[tattered_kuma]

system of a down kick some serious *** they are one of the first metal bands i got into their self titled album is sweet as and toxicity is great also steal this album was a let down overall but had a couple of good tracks like
I-E-A-I-A-I-O thats one of my favourite system tracks

[Tele_Dude]

Anyone seen the Hypnotize video yet? It's pretty rad.

[Chris]

Anyone seen the Hypnotize video yet? It's pretty rad.

Nop, but the song isnt to great, but it is growing on me.

But the lyrics are pretty poor,

Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen square?
Was Fashion the reason why they were there?

They disguise it, Hypnotize it
Television made you buy it

I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my...

She's scared that I will take her away from there
Dreams that her country left with no one there

Mezmerize the simple minded
Propaganda leaves us blinded

I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl
I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl

I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl
I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my

Girl

[Skit]

The video is system worst... Hell Darons vocals are out of sync pretty bad throughout.

[Kyle]

where can I see the video?

[PepsiMetal]

it says on systemofadown.com that their hypnotize video premieres nov. 1st.

[Chris]

it says on systemofadown.com that their hypnotize video premieres nov. 1st.

But it was on MTV2 earlyer, or so im told by my sister.

[Spiritofmosa]

heres a song for yall http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K7WBIRX6

[+zero+]

yea thats a cool song.. thats what i can imagine soads new stuff sounding like if daron didnt take control of the band.. it sounds like old system.. i have the cd masters of horror its pretty cool.. has a few good songs on it, but the buckethead and serj is like my favorite.

[Skit]

Hypnotize Video:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E4RP14QW

:thumb:

[Kyle]

I saw the video on scuzz earlier, I hate it. I'm really not to keen on the song, and Daron looks like such a prick.

[Skit]

I told you he cut his hair like a c*nt :lol:

[Kyle]

yeah, he looked alright with it long in the byob video, he should have kept that. I wonder what he can do to make it worse than it is already?!

[Spiritofmosa]

daron has wierd teeth.. and he sings like a goat bleating, it makes me laugh especially when i watch soad live.

[Brooxy]

I personally HATED their latest album, and am not roo interested in Hypnotize.

I'm one of those typical "The first SOAD cd was the best!" people.
Really? I rekon it's toxicity that's the best, then S/T.

And yep. The next one is called Hypnotize:

Release date : 22 november

Track List:

1. "Attack"
2. "Dreaming"
3. "Kill Rock 'n Roll"
4. "Hypnotize"
5. "Stealing Society"
6. "Tentative"
7. "U-Fig"
8. "Holy Mountains"
9. "Vicinity of Obscenity"
10. "She's Like Heroin"
11. "Lonely Day"
12. "Soldier Side"

If you want to listen to the title track, you can get it on:

http://www.myspace.com/soad

And for all those people that said Mezmerize is crap...it's not, just a little different from the normal stuff we've come to expeect from system :thumb:

[Skit]

:lol:

[xrockerachickx]

LMAO... never thought about it like that

[Skit]

New album in a few weeks!
I got mine on pre-order so I'll (hopefully) get it before everyone else :thumb:

[laba]

I just can't get "spiders" out of my head, such a good song.

[TheSlayer]

I hate the post-toxcicity SOAD. Mesmerize SUCKS.

[Neoteric]

^
Replace it with "My army is bigger that yours!" and you basically get what the whole song is about :thumb:
I thought it was about being big-headed.

[Neoteric]

I hate the post-toxcicity SOAD. Mesmerize SUCKS.
I agree in some context. It was a bit repetitive for my taste but it wasn't bad at all.

[Prince of Darkness]

I hate the post-toxcicity SOAD. Mesmerize SUCKS.

I disagree.

[mutant!]

I disagree.
Yeah, SA seems to dig Mezmerize.

So do I. \m/

[Skit]

If you can bring yourself to watch the MTV music awards, SOAD are playing 2 songs and are up for an award.

8pm tonight on MTV for UK fans :thumb:

[Kyle]

If you can bring yourself to watch the MTV music awards, SOAD are playing 2 songs and are up for an award.

8pm tonight on MTV for UK fans :thumb:
got the award for 'best alternative'.

[+zero+]

im ginna watch it when it comes to america .. haha that sounds funny.

[xrockerachickx]

in the USA its today right?