Let's put the biases on the table: I love System of a Down. These guys really know how to shell out the most unique, hard-punching, melodically churning material. Their self titled was groundbreaking, Toxicity caught the attention of the masses, Steal This Album caught us all off guard, and now comes Mezmerize. The majority of you reading this review know what’s going on here: Mezmerize is the first of a double disc (the latter, Hypnotize is to be released sometime next fall). Even after mainstream success and exposure, I knew SOAD wouldn’t disappoint even their most avid fanbase upon their next release. Great news: It doesn’t.
System of a Down is:
Vocalist Serj Tankian,
guitarist Daron Malakian,
bassist Shavo Odadjian,
and drummer John Dolmayan
01. Soldier Side (intro) – A soft, melancholy intro to a soon-to-be aggressively blazing affair that is this album. Nothing but guitar and strings. Malakian has already established his rumored increase in vocal involvement, as the he and Serj croon harmonies, “Welcome to the soldier side/ Where there’s no one here but me/ People all grow up to die/ There is no one here but me…” before fading off at a brief 1:07 minutes. It’s hard to rate a song which is an introduction, but as introductions go and in order just to beef up the impressive score of this album I’ll deem it as quality work. A
02. B.Y.O.B – I guarantee that 95% of you reading this review have heard this song by now - A somber message which grabs your attention through break-neck percussion and distortion. The difficulty of reviewing a System album is the fact that their lyrics are entirely open to the individual’s interpretation, as the band has continually stressed. Regardless, the overall changeups (a word which I’ll be using a lot in this review) and instrumentation of this song is ideal SOAD. It lacks little to nothing, even if all the radio play has jaded your opinion of it a little. A
03. Revenga – This is what System of a Down is all about! Hyperactive verses, indiscernible lyrics, and galloping beats followed by soothing transitions. The first minute and a half of the song will make you crack a half smile as your hear Serj spew out lyrics like a machine gun before throwing in a staccato choral “ahh.” It’s one of those songs that is impossible to describe to your friends until they hear it. A solid piece from beginning to end, and an already personal SOAD favorite. A+
04. Radio/Video – “Hey man/ Look at me rocking out!/ I’m on the radio!” Serj and Malakian sing this before breaking into a polka-esque verse reminiscent of 'Peephole' of their self-titled. Malakian is shining more than I expected. His background vocals complement Serj more than ever as the two echo one another and harmonize into soft spoken lyrics before screaming the chorus yet again. This album only has 11 tracks? So what?! Radio/Video serves as several songs entirely on its own! Goofy, memorable, and another great track thrown into a not surprising solid album of eclectic performances. A
05. Cigaro – Heard it yet? Most assumed it was their first single when it was simply leaked to DJs. Try finding a band that can throw “cock” into a song so much and yet make such a memorable metal effort. I won’t spend much more energy on my opinion on this one. It’s over so soon you wish you have another verse as an encore. A
06. This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song – A purely Serj Tankian affair. Of course he’s utilizing his absurd vocal talent all over this song. Clocking in at a little over two minutes, the song maintains one direction the entire time (a rarity in SOAD songs). Not as compelling as the first five tracks, but as SOAD filler goes – this is high quality ***. B
07. Violent Pornography – “Everybody, everybody, everybody sucks” is followed but a word which can’t be posted on this site but rhymes with the last word you see there. Got it? Ah, nice work. The song is somewhat graphic, as the title suggests, yet SOAD manage yet again to make an eclectic, smirk-inducing effort. It’ll please System fans, and further adds to the atmosphere of Mezmerize. B+
08. Question! – Soothing versus met with soaring epic-like choruses. It’s Chop-Suey’s latter chorus met with a touch of Aerials. Don’t get me wrong though – it stands entirely on its own. Fills are added which make the song that much more interesting. Potentially a single? Harmonies - once again – outstanding! A
09. Sad Statue – The guitar intro to this song is very similar to BYOB’s. Of course that doesn’t hold up once the verses begin. Sad Statue refers to the Statue of Liberty, by the way – as you will hear further in the lyrics. A mid-tempo (in SOAD terms) song with plenty of changeups to please us all. Overall a great song, but I won’t be chanting this one out as a request at their concert. B
10. Old School Hollywood – An interesting choice of production. The beginning of this track incorporates some synthesizer distortion. Reminds me a bit of the tone used for Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It.’ It maintains this 80’s electronica touch as “old school Hollywood” is spoken through robotic distortion while SOAD rock out. I’m liking the fact that SOAD are expanding their already seemingly limitless range of talent, but not one of my personal favorites. The production is what saves it from being blended into the rest of the album. B-
11. Lost in Hollywood – Live versions of this song have been exposed to fans for the most part. It’s essentially the next ‘Aerials.’ It does maintain its own identity, though – as Malakian sings lead vocals throughout the song’s 5 minute entirety. Serj backs him up in an impressive song which is definetly the slowest effort on the album. A great album closer, yet it feels as if the boys are slowing down too soon. SOAD expressed their concern that releasing Mezmerize and Hypnotize as a double-disk would create a lack of appreciation for each of the tracks. Maybe this is my bias coming out, but I wish I could have been the judge of that. Until this Fall, System of a Down leave us with a great “half” of an album. B+
