Toxicity (album)

Last updated

Toxicity
SystemofaDownToxicityalbumcover.jpg
Studio album by
System of a Down
ReleasedSeptember 4, 2001 (2001-09-04)
RecordedMarch–July 2001 [1]
Studio Cello (Hollywood)
Genre
Length44:02
Label
Producer
System of a Down chronology
System of a Down
(1998)		Toxicity
(2001)		 Steal This Album!
(2002)
Singles from Toxicity
  1. "Chop Suey!"
    Released: August 13, 2001
  2. "Toxicity"
    Released: January 22, 2002
  3. "Aerials"
    Released: June 11, 2002

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.

Contents

Toxicity was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, California. Over 30 songs were recorded, but the band narrowed the number of songs on the album to 14. The album peaked at number one on both the Billboard 200 and the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 220,000 copies in its first week of release. It was certified sextuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in July 2022, signifying at least six million copies sold in the United States. All of Toxicity's singles reached the Billboard Hot 100. The final single, "Aerials", went to number one on both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and the Modern Rock Tracks charts. Toxicity received highly positive ratings and reviews from critics, among them perfect ratings from AllMusic, Kerrang! , and Blabbermouth.net . Many critics praised the album's sound and innovation, and it ranked on multiple "best albums" lists.

The promotional shows for Toxicity resulted in a number of controversial incidents. A six-hour riot ensued at a free concert in Hollywood the day before the album's release as a result of the show's cancellation due to an overcrowded show; the crowd in attendance was estimated to be at least twice the size that was expected. Another scheduled System of a Down performance was canceled to prevent a similar riot. The band then toured with Slipknot on the Pledge of Allegiance Tour, and bassist Shavo Odadjian was harassed, racially profiled, and physically beaten by guards when he tried to enter backstage at a concert in October 2001. [2]

Music, writing, and recording

"Going into it, I knew Serj wanted to sing more, so I guess that was a kind of a progression and an evolution for the band. I wanted to do all that, yet not lose the heaviness of the band and I guess the hard, punk, metal aspect. You could lose that sometimes when you get a little too eclectic. So we were just trying to balance that fine line and not lose the fans."

Daron Malakian, speaking about Toxicity's sound. [3]

Primarily considered an alternative metal [4] [5] [6] and nu metal [7] [8] [9] album, Toxicity has also been described as thrash metal, [10] art metal, [11] hard rock, [12] progressive metal, [13] and heavy metal. [7] Toxicity features elements of multiple genres of music: folk, [14] progressive rock, [14] jazz, [14] [3] hip hop, [15] Middle Eastern music, [3] and Greek music. [3] Guitarist Daron Malakian said that he "wanted to add a bit more harmony for" himself "in the songs and that required tastefully mixing in some softer guitars between the really heavy parts". [3] Malakian also cited the Beatles as an influence on Toxicity. [4] Sounds of instruments other than drums, vocals, electric guitar and bass guitar, such as sitar, banjo, [16] keyboards and piano, [17] are also featured on Toxicity. The majority of the album's music was written in the tuning of drop C. [18]

System of a Down recorded over thirty songs during the recording of Toxicity but narrowed the number of songs on the album to fourteen. [19] Several of these recorded songs that didn't make it onto Toxicity were re-recorded for System of a Down's next studio album Steal This Album! , an album released in 2002. [20] Toxicity was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, California, mixed at Enterprise Studios in Burbank, California, and mastered at Oasis Mastering in Studio City, California. [17] According to bassist Shavo Odadjian, the song "Chop Suey!" is "about drug addiction, but [System of a Down took] something really serious and made it a little quacky". [21] Vocalist Serj Tankian compared the song to Guns N' Roses' "Mr. Brownstone". [22] "Prison Song" is about mass incarceration. [21] Serj Tankian said: "It's about the unfairness of mandatory minimum sentences and how there are about 2,000,000 Americans in jail, and a lot of them are in there for marijuana possession and things of that sort. [...] Instead of rehabilitating men who have drug problems, they're throwing them in prison. That's not really solving anything." [23] Tankian said that "Prison Song" also addresses "how drug money is used to rig elections in other countries by the CIA". [23] "Needles" is about "pulling a tapeworm out of your ass." [24] "Bounce" is about group sex. [21] "Psycho" is about groupies. [7] [23] "ATWA" (an acronym for "Air, Trees, Water, Animals") is about Charles Manson's beliefs on the environment. Malakian has said that "[Manson is] in jail for the wrong reasons. I think he had an unfair trial". [19] [22] "Deer Dance" is about the protests surrounding the 2000 Democratic National Convention. [25] [26]

Promotion and touring

On September 3, 2001, System of a Down had planned on launching Toxicity at a free concert in Hollywood, California as a "thank you" to fans. The concert, which was to be held in a parking lot, was set up to accommodate 3,500 people; however, an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 fans showed up. Because of the large excess number of fans, the performance was cancelled by police officers just before System of a Down took the stage. No announcement was made that the concert had been cancelled. Fans waited for more than an hour for the band to appear, but when a banner hanging at the back of the stage that read "System of a Down" was removed by security, the audience rushed the stage, destroying all the band's touring gear (approximately $30,000 worth of equipment) and began to riot, throwing rocks at police, breaking windows, and knocking over portable toilets. The riot lasted six hours, during which six arrests were made. The band's manager, David "Beno" Benveniste, later said that the riot could have been avoided if System of a Down had been permitted to perform or had they been allowed to make a statement at the concert regarding the cancellation. System of a Down's scheduled in-store performance the next day was cancelled to prevent a similar riot. [27]

Later that month, System of a Down embarked on tour in the United States and Mexico with Slipknot. During their concert at Grand Rapids, Michigan's Van Andel Arena in October 2001, Odadjian was harassed, racially profiled and physically beaten by some guards when he attempted to enter backstage. After the attack, he received medical help from the arena personnel and the police in place. Odadjian then filed a lawsuit against DuHadway Kendall Security, the company the guards were working for. [28] Despite this incident, the tour, as a whole, was a success and System of a Down later co-headlined the Pledge of Allegiance leg of Slipknot's Iowa World Tour. [29]

Reception

Critical

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 73/100 [30]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [7]
Alternative Press 9/10 [31]
Blabbermouth.net 10/10 [32]
Entertainment Weekly B− [14]
Kerrang! 5/5 [33]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [34]
Pitchfork 8.2/10 [35]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [36]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [37]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [38]

On review aggregator website Metacritic, Toxicity holds a score of 73 out of 100, based on reviews from nine critics, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [30] AllMusic writer Eduardo Rivadavia called Toxicity "hands down one of 2001's top metal releases" and wrote that the album "may well prove to be a lasting heavy metal classic to boot". [7] Toxicity is one of only 21 albums to achieve a perfect rating from Blabbermouth.net , with writer Don Kaye praising System of a Down in a contemporary review of the album as "one of the few bands that people may still be talking about ten years from now". [32] Drowned in Sound writer Don Kaye praised the band as "probably the most vital band around in the big, wide world of metal right now". [39] Ben Myers of Kerrang! stated that the band had "gone and bettered" their debut album and hailed Toxicity as "metal album of the year, hands down". [33] Q wrote that Toxicity "matches Slipknot for manic intensity while employing a freeform approach to songcraft which invites comparison to the lunatic-fringe rock of the '60s". [36]

Referring to Toxicity as "both manic and schizoid", Keith Harris of Rolling Stone noted Tankian's ability to veer "easily from sing-rap rhythm to Korn-ish hysterics to demonic baritone growl to doomily ruminative" and that "the music insists on forward motion without trapping itself in a thrashy lock-step rut". [37] Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly called the album "strange and engaging", with a wide variety of sounds which "all adds up to bizarro type of metal that has a warped majesty and strength". [14] Robert Christgau of The Village Voice cited "Prison Song" and "Bounce" as highlights and later assigned the album a one-star honorable rating. [40] [41] Spin 's Joe Gross wrote that the band "have an undeniable nerd-prog charm". [42] Uncut , on the other hand, panned Toxicity as "virtually unlistenable". [10]

Commercial

Toxicity peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, [43] [44] selling 220,000 copies in its first week of release. [45] The album also topped the Canadian Albums Chart. [46] Toxicity sold at least 2,700,000 copies in the United States, [44] and at least 12,000,000 copies worldwide. [47] On November 27, 2002, the album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. [48]

All of the album's singles reached the Billboard Hot 100; "Chop Suey!" peaked at number 76, "Toxicity" at number 70, and "Aerials" at number 55. "Aerials" would remain the band's biggest domestic hit until "B.Y.O.B." surpassed it, reaching number 27 in 2005. [49] "Aerials" peaked at number one on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart [50] and number one on the Alternative Songs chart. [51] "Chop Suey!" and "Toxicity" were both top ten hits. [51] In 2005, Toxicity went to number one on the Catalog Albums chart. [52] Added to the 2001 Clear Channel memorandum, [53] "Chop Suey!" was temporarily pulled from playlists of most radio stations after the September 11 attacks in 2001, as it featured some lyrics that Clear Channel deemed inappropriate following the attacks. The song returned to the airwaves when things settled down. [54]

Accolades

The album is listed on Blender 's 500 CDs You Must Own. [55] MusicRadar held a public poll and Toxicity was ranked as the 28th greatest heavy metal album on its list of The 50 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time. [56] The album is ranked number 44 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Albums of the Decade for 2000s [13] and 27th on the magazine's "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time". [57] Toxicity was voted the 27th best album of the year in The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 2001. [58] Spin named the album one of The 300 Best Albums Of The Past 30 Years, with Toxicity being one of the highest-listed heavy metal albums on the list. [59] Spin also named Toxicity the Album of the Year in 2001, and finally ranked it number 38 on its list of The 40 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time. [60] [61] Kludge ranked it number five on their list of best albums of 2001. [62] Alternative Press ranked it number nine on its 25 Best Albums of 2001. [45] Mojo ranked it number 93 on its 100 Modern Classics. [63] The album won a 2001 Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for Album of the Year. [64] Loudwire listed the album at number one on its list of Top 11 Metal Albums of the 2000s, number two on the Top 100 Hard Rock + Metal Albums Of The 21st Century, and number 11 on its list of Top 50 Metal Albums of All Time. [65] [66] [67] NME listed the album at number six on its list of 20 Greatest Metal Albums Ever. [68] Metal Hammer declared Toxicity the best album of 2001. [69] The Observer ranked Toxicity as one of the Top 50 Albums Of The Decade, at number 34. [70] In 2007, The Guardian placed the album on its list of the 1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die. [71] Entertainment Weekly also put Toxicity on its list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1983–2008 Period, at number 90. [72] Revolver named Toxicity the eighth greatest metal album of all time on its list of the 69 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time. [73] The album was included on The A.V. Club 's list of the best metal records of the 2000s. [11] PopMatters ranked Toxicity at 62 on its Best Albums of the 2000s list. [74] "Chop Suey!" was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 44th Grammy Awards in 2002 and "Aerials" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 45th Grammy Awards the following year. [75] In 2020, the album was included at the 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century list of Stacker, being ranked at 85. [76]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Serj Tankian, except where noted; all music is composed by Daron Malakian, except where noted

Original release
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Prison Song"Tankian, Malakian 3:21
2."Needles"Tankian, MalakianTankian, Malakian3:12
3."Deer Dance"Tankian, Malakian 2:55
4."Jet Pilot"  Shavo Odadjian, Malakian2:05
5."X"  1:57
6."Chop Suey!"Tankian, Malakian 3:30
7."Bounce" Malakian, Odadjian1:54
8."Forest"  4:02
9."ATWA" (Air Trees Water Animals)Tankian, Malakian 2:56
10."Science"  2:42
11."Shimmy" Tankian1:50
12."Toxicity" Malakian, Odadjian3:40
13."Psycho"Tankian, Malakian 3:48
14."Aerials"Tankian, Malakian 3:56
15."Arto" (featuring Arto Tunçboyacıyan [77] ) ( [note 1] )  2:14
Total length:44:02
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleMusicLength
8."Johnny" ( [note 2] )Tankian2:07

French special edition

Bonus CD [80]
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Sugar" (Live)Odadjian, Malakian2:27
2."War?" (Live) 2:48
3."Suite-Pee" (Live) 2:58
4."Know" (Live)Odadjian, Malakian, Tankian3:03
5."Johnny"Tankian2:07

Blue edition

Bonus DVD
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Toxicity" (Music video) Malakian, Odadjian2:27
2."Chop Suey!" (Live)Tankian, Malakian 2:48
3."Prison Song" (Live)Tankian, Malakian 3:21
4."Bounce" (Live) Malakian, Odadjian1:54
Notes
  1. ↑ "Arto" is an adaptation of "Der Voghormia" (meaning "Lord Have Mercy"), a traditional Armenian church hymn. [78] It is combined with "Aerials" (track 14) on physical releases as a hidden track.
  2. ↑ "Johnny" is put as the eighth track on Toxicity on the album's Japanese edition, pushing all tracks 8–14 on the album's normal track listing one track number forward. [79]

Personnel

Adapted from Toxicity's liner notes. [17]

System of a Down

Additional musicians

Production

Artwork

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF) [136] Gold20,000^
Australia (ARIA) [137] 5× Platinum350,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria) [138] Gold20,000*
Belgium (BEA) [139] Gold25,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [140] Gold50,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [141] 2× Platinum200,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [142] 3× Platinum60,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [143] Gold150,000^
Italy (FIMI) [144]
sales since 2009 		Platinum50,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON) [145] Gold75,000^
Netherlands (NVPI) [146] Gold40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [147] Platinum15,000^
Poland (ZPAV) [148] Platinum20,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [149] Gold20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [150] 2× Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [48] 6× Platinum6,000,000‡
Summaries
Europe (IFPI) [151] Platinum1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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>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.

<i>System of a Down</i> (album) 1998 studio album by System of a Down

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.

<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 at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. "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 song was written by band members Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and Serj 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">Question!</span> 2005 single by System of a Down

"Question!" is a song by American heavy metal band System of a Down, released in July 2005 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Mezmerize (2005).

<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">System of a Down discography</span>

System of a Down is an Armenian-American heavy metal band formed by vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan in the mid-1990s. They have released five studio albums, nineteen singles, and thirteen music videos. By the end of 1997, the group had signed to American Recordings, then distributed as Columbia Records. The following year, they released their eponymous debut album, which peaked at number 124 on the United States' Billboard 200 and number 103 on the United Kingdom's UK Albums Chart; it was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). Their eponymous debut album produced a single for the song "Sugar", which reached the top 30 on the Billboard mainstream rock songs and alternative songs charts. Their follow-up album, Toxicity (2001), topped the US and Canadian charts, and also reached the top 10 in Australia, Finland, and New Zealand. The album was certified triple platinum in its home country, and triple platinum in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), as well as double platinum by Music Canada. Toxicity produced singles for the title track, "Chop Suey!", and "Aerials". The last of these peaked at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts.

<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">Serj Tankian discography</span>

The following is the discography of Serj Tankian, an Armenian-American singer and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist, and occasionally rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning rock band System of a Down.

<i>Imperfect Harmonies</i> 2010 studio album by Serj Tankian

Imperfect Harmonies is the second studio album by Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian. The album was released on September 21, 2010 through Reprise Records and Serjical Strike Records.

<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. ↑ "Rolling Stone". www.rollingstone.com. September 4, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ DeVille, Chris (September 3, 2021). "Toxicity Turns 20". Stereogum. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022. And at a time when Americans were ready to indiscriminately discriminate against anyone from the Middle East, the band's Armenian heritage made them easy targets for racial profiling; Odadjian was even harassed and beaten by guards at his own gig in the fall of 2001.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Jon Wiederhorn. "14 Years Ago: System of a Down Unleash 'Toxicity'". Loudwire . Archived from the original on February 4, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Reed, Ryan (September 4, 2016). "System of a Down's 'Toxicity': 10 Things You Didn't Know". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on September 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ Mike Lawrence (February 24, 2014). "The 25 Best Alternative Metal Albums". Metal Descent. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017.
  6. ↑ "System of a Down - Toxicity". January 4, 2019. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Toxicity – System of a Down". AllMusic . Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ "System of a Down: Toxicity". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  9. ↑ "SPIN 30: System of a Down Revisit Nu-Metal's Greatest Album, 'Toxicity'". April 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "System of a Down: Toxicity". Uncut (55): 118. December 2001.
  11. 1 2 Pierce, Leonard (November 18, 2009). "The decade's best metal". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on January 4, 2014.
  12. ↑ Rob Pasbani (June 17, 2009). "#14: SYSTEM OF A DOWN – TOXICITY". MetalSucks. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016.
  13. 1 2 "System of a Down, 'Toxicity'". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 5, 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Sinclair, Tom (September 3, 2001). "Toxicity". Entertainment Weekly . pp. 161–62. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  15. ↑ "20 artists who defined the sound of nü metal from past to present". Alternative Press . July 21, 2021. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  16. ↑ Eliscu, Jenny (September 27, 2001). "Q&A: Serj Tankian of System of a Down". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  17. 1 2 3 Toxicity (CD liner notes). System of a Down. Columbia Records. 2001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ System of a Down 2001 , p. 4
  19. 1 2 Teri vanHorn (June 27, 2001). "System Of A Down Measure Growth With Toxicity". MTV. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon (November 6, 2002). "System of a Down Reveal Motivations For Steal This Album". MTV. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 Jon Wiederhorn (August 13, 2001). "System Of A Down's Schizophrenia Aggravated On Toxicity". MTV. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015.
  22. 1 2 Lawson (ed.) 2001, p. 11
  23. 1 2 3 Teri vanHorn (October 11, 2000). "System Of A Down Talks Next LP, Sets Benefit Date". MTV. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016.
  24. ↑ Lawson (ed.) 2001, p. 10. Serj [Tankian]: " 'Needles' is about pulling a tapeworm out of your ass. Which you can actually do yourself if there is an edge sticking out. Believe me, we've researched it."
  25. ↑ Bregman, Adam (September 29, 2005). "All Systems Go". The Stranger . Archived from the original on September 14, 2017.
  26. ↑ George Varga (August 4, 2005). "We speak of real life". The San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on July 31, 2016.
  27. ↑ Zahlaway, Jon; Devenish, Colin (September 4, 2001). "System of a Down cancellation sparks riot". LiveDaily/Soundspike. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  28. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (March 10, 2003). "System Of A Down Bassist Sues Security Team For Humiliating Him In Front Of Fans". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  29. ↑ Moss, Corey (September 6, 2001). "Slipknot, System's Pledge Of Allegiance Tour Dates Announced". MTV. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  30. 1 2 "Reviews for Toxicity by System of a Down". Metacritic . Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  31. ↑ "System of a Down: Toxicity". Alternative Press (159): 102. October 2001.
  32. 1 2 Kaye, Don. "System of a Down 'Toxicity'". Blabbermouth.net . Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  33. 1 2 Myers, Ben (August 25, 2001). "System of a Down: Toxicity". Kerrang! (867).
  34. ↑ Lecaro, Lina (September 2, 2001). "Inventive Metal to Satisfy Headbangers". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  35. ↑ Geffen, Sasha (November 11, 2018). "System of a Down: Toxicity". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  36. 1 2 "System of a Down: Toxicity". Q (181): 121. September 2001.
  37. 1 2 Harris, Keith (September 4, 2001). "System of a Down: Toxicity". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2007.
  38. ↑ Harris, Keith (2004). "System of a Down". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p.  800. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  39. ↑ Kaye, Don (August 28, 2001). "Album Review: System of a Down – Toxicity". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  40. ↑ Christgau, Robert (January 29, 2002). "Consumer Guide: Throw Your Hands in the Air". The Village Voice . Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  41. ↑ Christgau, Robert (January 29, 2002). "System of a Down: Toxicity". RobertChristgau.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  42. ↑ Gross, Joe (February 2005). "Heavy Metal". Spin . 21 (2): 89. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Chart Update: System Of A Down Debuts At No. 1". Billboard . September 13, 2001. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  44. 1 2 "Online Leaks Force System Of A Down's Hand". Billboard . December 16, 2002. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016.
  45. 1 2 Kaufman, Spencer (September 4, 2011). "10 Things You Didn't Know About 'Toxicity'". Loudwire . Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  46. ↑ "System of a Down – Chart history (Canadian Albums chart)". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 5, 2015.
  47. ↑ Terrybezer (July 28, 2009). "Albums Of The Decade: System Of A Down – 'Toxicity'". Metal Hammer . Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  48. 1 2 "American album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". Recording Industry Association of America.
  49. ↑ "System of a Down – Chart history (The Hot 100)". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  50. ↑ "System of a Down - Chart history (Mainstream Rock Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015.
  51. 1 2 "System of a Down - Chart history (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015.
  52. ↑ "System of a Down - Chart history (Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015.
  53. ↑ Mikkelson, David (March 29, 2011). "Clear Channel Banned Songs". Snopes.com . Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  54. ↑ "Chop Suey by System of a Down". Songfacts. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  55. ↑ "500 CDs You Must Own: Alternative Rock". Blender . March 15, 2003. Archived from the original on April 19, 2009.
  56. ↑ "The 50 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time". April 28, 2010. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  57. ↑ Spanos, Brittany (June 21, 2017). "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  58. ↑ "The 2001 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll". New York: The Village Voice. February 12, 2002. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  59. ↑ "The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)". May 11, 2015. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  60. ↑ SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. September 1, 2002.
  61. ↑ "SPIN's 20 Best Albums of 2001". Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  62. ↑ Perez, Arturo. "Top 10 Albums of 2001". Kludge . Archived from the original on July 22, 2004. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  63. ↑ "100 Modern Classics". Mojo . Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  64. ↑ Metal Edge, June 2002
  65. ↑ "Top 50 Metal Albums of All Time". Loudwire . September 8, 2015. Archived from the original on December 16, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  66. ↑ "Top 11 Metal Albums of the 2000s". Loudwire. November 10, 2011. Archived from the original on July 20, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  67. ↑ "Top 100 Hard Rock + Metal Albums of the 21st Century". Loudwire. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  68. ↑ "20 greatest metal albums ever - as voted by you - NME". NME . April 19, 2011. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Rocklist.net ... Metal Hammer Albums The Year". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  70. ↑ "OMM's Top 50 Albums of the Decade". The Guardian . November 21, 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  71. ↑ "1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die: Artists Beginning With S (Part 2)". The Guardian . November 22, 2007. Archived from the original on December 13, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  72. ↑ "EW's 100 Best Albums From 1983 To 2008". June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  73. ↑ "New List to rip apart: Revolver Mag's 69 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time". www.ilxor.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  74. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s: 80-61". PopMatters. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  75. ↑ "Complete List Of Grammy Nominees". CBS News. January 4, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  76. ↑ "100 Best albums of the 21st century". Stacker. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  77. ↑ "System of a Down's 'Toxicity': 10 Things You Didn't Know". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  78. ↑ "Arto Tuncboyaciyan". Music of Armenia. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  79. ↑ System of a Down. Toxicity, Cello Studios, Hollywood, California, United States. Japanese Edition
  80. ↑ "System Of A Down - Toxicity". Discogs . Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  81. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  82. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – System Of A Down – Toxicity" (in German). Hung Medien.
  83. ↑ "Ultratop.be – System Of A Down – Toxicity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  84. ↑ "Ultratop.be – System Of A Down – Toxicity" (in French). Hung Medien.
  85. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  86. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  87. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – System Of A Down – Toxicity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  88. ↑ "System Of A Down: Toxicity" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  89. ↑ "Lescharts.com – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  90. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – System Of A Down – Toxicity" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  91. ↑ "Top 50 Ξένων Αλμπουμ – 4-10/2/2007". IFPI Greece.
  92. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography System Of A Down". Hung Medien.
  93. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  94. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2022.Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "Toxicity".
  95. ↑ "Charts.nz – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  96. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  97. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  98. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  99. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  100. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  101. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  102. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  103. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard.
  104. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard.
  105. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  106. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  107. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard.
  108. ↑ "System Of A Down Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard.
  109. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 9. hét". MAHASZ . Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  110. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – System Of A Down – Toxicity". Hung Medien.
  111. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  112. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2001 (based on sales)". Jam! . Archived from the original on December 12, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  113. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2001". Dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  114. ↑ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Archived (PDF) from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  115. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  116. ↑ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2001" (PDF). IFPI. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  117. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2002". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  118. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2002" (in German). austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  119. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2002 – Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  120. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2002 – Alternatieve Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  121. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2002 – Albums" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  122. ↑ "Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)". Jam! . Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  123. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002". Jam! . Archived from the original on December 4, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  124. ↑ "Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002". Jam! . Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  125. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2002". Dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  126. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums 2002" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 21, no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  127. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (2002)". Officialziellecharts.de. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  128. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2002". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  129. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Archived (PDF) from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  130. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2002". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  131. ↑ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2002" (PDF). IFPI. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  132. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Heavy Rock & Metal Albums 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  133. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2016 – Mid price" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on February 20, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  134. ↑ "Top Vendas Acumuladas – 2020 (semana 1 a 53) – Top 100 Álbuns" [Top Accumulated Sales 2020 (Week 1 to 53) – Top 100 Albums](PDF). Audiogest (in Portuguese). p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  135. ↑ "The Decade in Music - Charts - Top Billboard 200 Albums" (PDF). Billboard. December 19, 2009. p. 164. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021– via World Radio History.Digit page 168 on the PDF archive.
  136. ↑ "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011.
  137. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  138. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  139. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2003". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  140. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  141. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". Music Canada.
  142. ↑ "Danish album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". IFPI Danmark.
  143. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (System Of A Down; 'Toxicity')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  144. ↑ "Italian album certifications – System Of A Down – Toxicity" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  145. ↑ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas . Retrieved May 24, 2021.Type System of a Dawn in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Toxicity in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  146. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved December 10, 2020.Enter Toxicity in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2002 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  147. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  148. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2022 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  149. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Toxicity')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  150. ↑ "British album certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". British Phonographic Industry.
  151. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2004". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Bibliography

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.