Toxicity

System of a Down | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 4, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000021YQV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (957 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,804 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #57 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Alternative Metal

Track Listings

1. Prison Song

2. Needles

3. Deer Dance

4. Jet Pilot

5. X

6. Chop Suey!

7. Bounce

8. Forest

9. Atwa

10. Science

11. Shimmy

12. Toxicity

13. Psycho

14. Aerials

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

System of a Down's sophomore effort is a musically and lyrically ambitious 14-song collection that's even more left-of-center and powerful than their 1998 self-titled debut. Here the Los Angeles-bred foursome tackle everything from government ("Prison Song") to cocaine-crazed groupies ("Psycho") in a more pointed and aggressive manner than Rage Against the Machine. Serj Tankian's hardcore vocals and occasional Middle Eastern flourishes ("Science") contribute to the unique, ultra-intense, and quirky qualities of System circa 2001. Unexpected time changes and death-metal-like intensity give way to mellower moments, all of which make for demanding but irresistible listening. Toxicity is a masterful, unusual, and forceful opus. --Katherine Turman

Product Description

2001 album from the California Metal quartet led by Serj Tankian. The album was produced by Rick Rubin.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST albums I have EVER heard, No Joke... September 14, 2001

By J. Brittman VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I really doubted the SOAD could top their incredible self-titled debut, but they have...and FAR surpassed expectations. This album is such an amazing accomplishment of modern metal that I find myself almost speechless. Serj Tankian is this generation's Jello Biafra. His lyrics are pointed, political, and biting. He does not flich when giving his opinions, whether it be on the state of modern collegiate education (Shimmy) or the overcrowded penitentiary system of the USA (Prison Song). As a whole work, Toxicity succeeds on EVERY level, the music is raw and hits you like a blast of adrenaline. The best thing about Toxicity is that it plays as a WHOLE album, something that is extremely rare in today's watered down metal climate. Every track on this cd is strong, it is UNRELENTING and BRUTAL. Some of my very favorites are Jet Pilot, Prison Song, Forest, Aerials, and Toxicity. The song Toxicity anchors the album and is the absolute best thing that SOAD has done so far. Bringing in Rick Rubin was a great decision because the strengths of SOAD have been maximized(Tankian's ranting, fast and numerous tempo changes, and Dean's heavy riffing) and the weaknesses simply no longer exist. The track placement on Toxicity is to be commended as well and much credit should go to Rubin. I never thought I would say this but this album smokes TOOL's LATERALUS by miles (and I'm a huge TOOL fan). Toxicity will hit you like a scud missile quick and deadly, but the remains will be with you for a lifetime. HiGhLy ReComMeNdEd.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Toxicity DVD Review May 14, 2002

By Nick Watkins

Format:Audio CD

OK, on this review I'll talk about the mini-DVD. If you wanna review on the music read my review of the normal-version "Toxicity", not this or the red covered one.

The DVD includes 4 things:The music video for "Toxicity", which is really cool, but I'm sure you've seen it, and 3 live performances, which are for "Chop Suey!", "Bounce", and "Prison Song". I like the music video and the music, but what takes away from it is that each performance is in the same place, and nothing really special happens in them, so, if you wanna good System of a Down live DVD, get the one that's (I think) is coming out in mid-summer. OK, I'm done now.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We can't afford to be neutral on a moving train! November 16, 2001

By A. Estes

Format:Audio CD

I loved System of a Down's self titled debut, so naturally I was first in line to buy Toxicity the day it came out. After 3 years of delays and anticipation, I have to say I am not the least bit disappointed. Toxicity shows great growth in the band's talent over the past few years, thanks to grueling touring and the union of SOAD with Producer-God Rick Rubin. The guitar parts are much more complicated and add more depth and personality to the songs. Add in Serj's quirky vocals joined by Daron's background vocals and you have a pretty unique album. The opening track "Prison Song" is more a comfort song than anything, telling the listener that System of a Down refuses to disappoint. Then tracks like Deer Dance and X get crazier and show that there is much diversity in this album, which ultimately makes it superior to their last outing. ATWA, a song based about Charles Manson (yes, you heard me) and his views on the environment is easily my favorite song on here. Very angry and very melodic at the same time. Aerials and Toxicity are two softer songs, which could be compared to SOAD's own Spiders. Psycho is probably the most enjoyable song to sing along to and of course, you can't forget the first single, "Chop Suey!" which is a great choice for a first single, and will definetly earn them the fame they deserve. If you loved System of a Down's first album, you will love this even more. A great album, and I must say, it was well worth the wait.