System of a Down (album)

Last updated

System of a Down
System of a down.jpg
Studio album by
System of a Down
ReleasedJune 30, 1998 (1998-06-30)
Studio
Genre
Length40:36
Label
Producer
System of a Down chronology
System of a Down
(1998)		 Toxicity
(2001)
Singles from System of a Down
  1. "Sugar"
    Released: May 24, 1998
  2. "Spiders"
    Released: February 10, 1999

System of a Down is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on June 30, 1998, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 2000. After the success of the band's following album, Toxicity (2001), System of a Down was certified platinum and has since gone double platinum. [4]

Contents

Composition

The album is generally considered nu metal and alternative metal, both of which would become staples for the band. Lyrical themes throughout the album vary, with many songs following a theme of being anti-war, but also has topics of genocide, religion, and brainwashing. "Suite-Pee" is a criticism of pedophilia within the Church and religious extremism. [5] "Soil" is, according to guitarist Daron Malakian at a Lowlands show, "about death, and friends that die, and life that dies". "Mind" talks about government mind control, specifically mentioning CIA brainwashing in the album's liner notes. "P.L.U.C.K." is a song dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide, and is meant to be a criticism and denouncing of the Turkish Government.

Artwork

The cover artwork is from a 1928 anti-fascist poster designed by visual artist John Heartfield for the Communist Party of Germany. [4] The text on the original poster is: "A hand has 5 fingers! With these 5 grab the enemy!" [6] This slogan inspired part of the text contained on the back of the album: "The hand has five fingers, capable and powerful, with the ability to destroy as well as create". Later, it is written in bold letters: "Open your eyes, open your mouths, close your hands and make a fist" (used later by Serj Tankian in the song "Uneducated Democracy"). The artwork also bears a close resemblance to the cover of George Harrison's album Living in the Material World. [7]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Chronicles of Chaos 8/10 [8]
Drowned in Sound 10/10 [9]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [10]
Pitchfork 7.5/10 [11]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]

System of a Down received acclaim from music critics. [14] Q called it "an excellent starting point for this most curious band". [12]

The album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . [15] Loudwire included the album in its list of The Best Metal Debut Albums, at number 22. [16]

Track listing

Original release

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian, except where noted. All music written by Daron Malakian, except where noted.

No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Suite-Pee"  2:31
2."Know"  Shavo Odadjian, Malakian, Tankian2:56
3."Sugar" Odadjian, Malakian2:33
4."Suggestions"  2:44
5."Spiders"  3:35
6."DDevil" Odadjian, Malakian1:43
7."Soil"  3:25
8."War?"  2:40
9."Mind" Odadjian, Malakian, Tankian6:16
10."Peephole"  4:06
11."CUBErt"Tankian, Malakian 1:50
12."Darts"  2:42
13."P.L.U.C.K." (Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers)  3:33
Total length:40:36
Japanese edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
14."Marmalade"3:02
15."Störagéd"1:19
Total length:44:57

Limited edition bonus CD

No.TitleMusicLength
1."Sugar" (Live)Odadjian, Malakian2:27
2."War?" (Live) 2:48
3."Suite-Pee" (Live) 2:58
4."Know" (Live)Odadjian, Malakian, Tankian3:04
Total length:13:17

Personnel

System of a Down

Production

Charts and certifications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">System of a Down</span> Armenian-American metal band

System of a Down is an Armenian-American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. Since 1997, the band has consisted of founding members Serj Tankian ; Daron Malakian ; Shavo Odadjian ; along with John Dolmayan (drums), who replaced original drummer Andy Khachaturian in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serj Tankian</span> American-Armenian singer (born 1967)

Serj Tankian is an Armenian-American musician and activist. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band System of a Down, which was formed in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Dolmayan</span> American drummer (born 1972)

John Dolmayan is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American musician, best known as the drummer of System of a Down. He is also the former drummer for Scars on Broadway. Dolmayan ranked number 33 on Loudwire's list of Top 200 Hard Rock + Metal Drummers of All Time.

<i>Toxicity</i> (album) 2001 studio album by System of a Down

Toxicity is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on September 4, 2001, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Expanding on their 1998 eponymous debut album, Toxicity incorporates more melody, harmonies, and singing than the band's first album. Categorized primarily as alternative metal and nu metal, the album features elements of multiple genres, including folk, progressive rock, jazz, and Armenian and Greek music, including prominent use of instruments like the sitar, banjo, keyboards, and piano. It contains a wide array of political and non-political themes, such as mass incarceration, the CIA, the environment, police brutality, drug addiction, scientific reductionism, and groupies.

<i>Steal This Album!</i> 2002 studio album by System of a Down

Steal This Album! is the third studio album by the American nu metal band System of a Down, released on November 26, 2002, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, it peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daron Malakian</span> Armenian-American rock musician (born 1975)

Daron Malakian is an Armenian-American musician. He is the guitarist, songwriter, and second vocalist of the metal band System of a Down, and the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter of Scars on Broadway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chop Suey!</span> 2001 single by System of a Down

"Chop Suey!" is a song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released on August 13, 2001, as the first single from their second album, Toxicity (2001). The single earned the band its first Grammy nomination in 2002 for Best Metal Performance. "Chop Suey!" is often considered the band's signature song, and its music video has reached one billion views on YouTube.

<i>Hypnotize</i> (album) 2005 studio album by System of a Down

Hypnotize is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released on November 22, 2005, six months after the release of its companion album Mezmerize. Mezmerize and Hypnotize both debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

<i>Mezmerize</i> 2005 studio album by System of a Down

Mezmerize is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on May 17, 2005, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Upon its release, the album received acclaim from critics. The album sold over 450,000 copies in its first week, and immediately topped the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B.Y.O.B. (song)</span> 2005 single by System of a Down

"B.Y.O.B." is a song by American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released in March 2005 as the lead single from their fourth album Mezmerize. Like their earlier song Boom!, it was written in protest against the Iraq War. The song reached number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the band's only top 40 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toxicity (song)</span> 2002 single by System of a Down

"Toxicity" is a song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released in 2002, as the second single from their second album of the same name. The writing credits for the song are Malakian, Odadjian, and Tankian. It is known for its dynamic chorus, aggressive vocals, and prominent drum beat. The song is predominantly in triple meter, alternating between 6
4, 12
8 and 4
4 time. The guitar during the verse plays in 6
4 using a 2+2+2 phrasing while the heavy part makes use of a hemiola with the guitar switching to a 3+3+3+3 pattern while the drums remain in compound duple meter until the bridge. The song was ranked number 14 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs, and was called a nu metal classic by Stylus Magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiders (System of a Down song)</span> 1999 single by System of a Down

"Spiders" is a song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down released as the second single from their self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Question!</span> 2005 single by System of a Down

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innervision</span> 2002 promotional single by System of a Down

"Innervision" is a song by American heavy metal band System of a Down, released as a promotional single from their third studio album, Steal This Album! (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugar (System of a Down song)</span> 1998 single by System of a Down

"Sugar" is a song by American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released as the band's first ever single on May 24, 1998, and as an EP on May 26, 1999. The song was taken from their debut studio album, System of a Down (1998).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonely Day</span> 2006 single by System of a Down

"Lonely Day" is a song by American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released in 2006 as the second single from their fifth album Hypnotize (2005), and written by guitarist Daron Malakian, who also provides lead vocals on this track. The song received a nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway</span> American metal band

Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway is an American rock band founded by Daron Malakian of the metal band System of a Down, who also became the sole member of the band. The band's self-titled debut album was released in July 2008.

<i>Elect the Dead</i> 2007 studio album by Serj Tankian

Elect the Dead is the debut album by rock musician Serj Tankian, lead singer and founding member of Armenian-American metal band System of a Down. It was released on October 22, 2007. Alongside Tankian appears Armenian-American coloratura Ani Maldjian, drummers John Dolmayan and Brain, Dan Monti on guitars, as well as a string section featuring Antonio Pontarelli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protect the Land</span> 2020 single by System of a Down

"Protect the Land" is a song recorded by American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released as a double A-side single with "Genocidal Humanoidz" on November 6, 2020, through American Recordings and Columbia Records, to raise awareness and funds for Armenia and the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh amid the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. It is the band's first release in 15 years since their fifth studio album Hypnotize (2005), their first single in 14 years since "Vicinity of Obscenity" (2006), and their first two singles to not feature their long-time producer Rick Rubin. The two singles have raised over $600,000 that was donated to the Armenia Fund to help those who have been affected by the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genocidal Humanoidz</span> 2020 single by System of a Down

"Genocidal Humanoidz" is a song recorded by American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released as a double A-side single with "Protect the Land" on November 6, 2020, through American Recordings and Columbia Records, to raise awareness and funds for Armenia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh amid the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. It is the band's first release in 15 years since their fifth studio album Hypnotize (2005), their first single in 14 years since "Lonely Day" (2006), and their first two singles to not feature their long-time producer Rick Rubin. The two singles have raised over $600,000 that was donated to the Armenia Fund to help those who have been affected by the war.

References

  1. ↑ Burgess, Aaron (September 9, 2014). "10 Nu-Metal Albums You Need to Own". Revolvermag. NewBay Media. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2015. Technically spotless, wildly eclectic, and out-outspokenly, er, Armenian, System of a Down's 1998 self-titled debut turned more nu-metal on its ear; and with this darker and more streamlined follow-up, the band proved that it was more than just a novelty–though spastic lead single "Chop Suey" is still one of the most awesomely bizarre songs to ever get repeated play on the radio.
  2. ↑ "The 50 best nu metal albums of all time". April 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "System of a Down – System of a Down". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "17 Years Ago: System of a Down Release Self-Titled Debut Album". Loudwire.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ "System of a Down's Daron Malakian Dishes on Politics and Religion". Loudwire. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  6. ↑ "John Heartfield Poster - Five Fingers Has The Hand". Johnheartfield.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ "George Harrison: Living in the Material World Album Cover Parodies". amIright. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  8. ↑ Webb, Jody (October 1, 1998). "CoC : System of a Down - System of a Down : Review". Chronicles of Chaos . Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  9. ↑ Nettleton, Chris (April 21, 2003). "Album Review: System of a Down – System of a Down". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  10. ↑ Perry, Neil (September 19, 1998). "Albums". Kerrang! . No. 717. EMAP. p. 44.
  11. ↑ Ruggeri, Kevin. "System of a Down: System of a Down". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on October 3, 2000. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "System of a Down: System of a Down". Q . No. 182. October 2001. p. 152.
  13. ↑ Harris, Keith (2004). "System of a Down". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  800. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  14. ↑ "System of a Down: Armenian Metal Proprietors". Musiclegendtrend.com. March 12, 2013. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  15. ↑ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (March 23, 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN   978-0-7893-2074-2.
  16. ↑ Hartmann, Graham. "No. 22: System of a Down, 'System of a Down' – Best Debut Metal Albums". Loudwire. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  17. ↑ Moss, Corey (June 21, 2002). "SYSTEM OF A DOWN TO RELEASE TOXICITY OUTTAKES". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  18. ↑ "r/systemofadown - Honey and Temper Re-Recorded versions on Limewire?". Reddit. August 5, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  19. ↑ "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  20. ↑ "System Of A Down - System Of A Down". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  21. ↑ "System Of A Down - System Of A Down" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  22. ↑ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System Of Life". Zobbel. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  23. ↑ "System of a down Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  24. ↑ "System of a down Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  25. ↑ "System of a Down Chart History - Catalog Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  26. ↑ "System of a Down Chart History - Top Alternative Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  27. ↑ "System of a Down Chart History - Top Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  28. ↑ "System of a Down Chart History - Tastemaker Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  29. ↑ "System of a Down Chart History - Vinyl Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  30. ↑ "System of a Down Chart History - Top Rock". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  31. ↑ "System of a down Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  32. 1 2 "System of a down Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  33. 1 2 "System of a down Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)". Jam! . Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002". Jam! . Archived from the original on December 4, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002". Jam! . Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  38. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down". Music Canada.
  39. ↑ "Italian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  40. ↑ "British album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down". British Phonographic Industry.
  41. ↑ "American album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down". Recording Industry Association of America.
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