The Return of System is Well-Received
Jonathan Stone
Issue date: 9/7/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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System of a Down released Mezmerize, their fourth album, on May 17. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard/SoundScan chart, selling over 800,000 records within the first week. The band's second album, Toxicity, also debuted at the number one spot the week it was released in September of 2001.
The greatly anticipated album was well received by both fans and critics. USA Today stated, "Every track burns with urgency," and Newsday said Mezmerize was "one of the most inventive, unique albums in years." After their last album, Steal This Album, was considered a flop, the good reviews helped fans decide that the album was worth buying. The album consists of a variety of styles, from hard to soft rock, witty lyrics, and political references. Such examples are "B.Y.O.B." which criticizes the U.S. involvement in the War on Terror, and "Violent Pornography" which criticizes corporate America.
The first nationally released single, "B.Y.O.B.," remained on MTV's rock countdown list for nearly three months before the release of their second single "Question!" in late July. The tri-state area was treated to an extra single, "Cigaro," in which New York's K-Rock was granted permission to play since February.
Steal This Album was the last album they released on November 26, 2002, which consisted of sixteen songs that were recorded at the time Toxicity was recorded. When Toxicity was released on September 1, 2001, the band decided to release the other songs on a separate album.
The bands next album, entitled Hypnotize, is set to be released in November of this year. Guitarist/vocalist/producer Daron Malakian had the idea of recording two albums and releasing them six months apart from each other in order to gain fan interest and hopefully boost album sales.
The band also went on their first national tour since their tour promoting Toxicity in late 2001/early 2002. Joined by The Mars Volta, System of a Down returned to the New York/New Jersey area on August 23 at the Continental Airlines Arena. It was their first concert in the area since late 2001 when they played at Jones Beach.
The Mars Volta was almost booed off the stage after their opening act left the crowd sleepy and quiet. The band was on for 45 minutes and only played four songs. Three of the four songs had ten minute guitar solos which left the crowd asking for more. However, when System came on stage, the crowd was on their feet and for an hour and a half. Almost the entire crowd sung every word to every song played. The play list consisted of songs from their first, self-titled album, System of a Down, Toxicity, Steal this Album, Mezmerize, and an un-released title, "Kill Rock n Roll".
Hypnotize is due out in late November, and the band has not decided whether they will go on tour again, or start working on a new album.