System of a Down [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

System of a Down

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 30, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000007T1M
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (462 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,912 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This debut by the L.A.-based quartet is a hybrid of explosive rap-metal, politically incendiary lyrics, and wide-ranging cultural influences. The members are of Armenian descent, but their diverse stylistic background transcends easy cultural labeling. Singer Serj Tankian's throaty roar competes with any mosh-pit rocker around, but his real trademark is his emotional wail and refreshingly melodic singing, especially on songs such as "Spiders" and the condemnatory "P.L.U.C.K." Guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan lock in tight on the capricious arrangements of "Know," "Ddevil," and "CUBErt." Their musical diversity runs wonderfully wild on "Sugar" and "Suggestions" with dizzying shifts of style and intensity. The tracks "Peephole" and "War?" reveal the band at perhaps its eclectic best, with vaguely Eastern European-sounding guitar riffs, passionate battle cries, and samples provided by legendary hip-hop producer Rick Rubin. --Mark McCleerey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Numetal? I think not!, February 20, 2002

By	The Wickerman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I really don't understand why this band is labeled as numetal. Having listened to this CD, I can safely say that there is nothing on here that even vaguely resembles numetal. There is no rapping, no turntabling, no simple 3-chord Korn riffs, and no indication that this album was made with any intention to get on MTV. What I'm hearing here (if I can describe it) is something much closer to progressive metal, and even death metal. System of a Down has much more in common with bands like Testament and Meshuggah than Korn and Limp Bizkit. In fact, Daron, the guitarist, doesn't even like numetal, so I doubt he appreciates being lumped in that category.

As a person who never really got the whole numetal/rapmetal thing, and would rather listen to just about anything else, I always avoided this album, because I didn't expect it to be "my thing". But, since I try to keep an open mind, I decided to borrow this album (and "Toxicity") from a friend, and just see if I liked it. Wow, good move. I am VERY impressed! This album is nearly perfect in every way. Very heavy, very melodic, and very technical. Daron is far superior to any numetal guitarist, churning out wild time changes, thunderous riffs, and even some solos. John Dolmayan is a very talented drummer, who can do way more than just pound absent-mindedly at his kit, like say, John Otto. He does very complex beats, and some pretty impressive fills. The bass player is nothing special. His basslines are audible, but not very technical. Then there's Serj. The madman behind this masterpiece (there, I said it, I used it the "m" word). Probably one of the most talented and bizarre vocalists there is. He has an amazing voice, and frightening range. He can go effortlessly from high-pitched squeals, to softer vocals, to death-like growling, and makes it seem easy. The lyrics? Well, I don't know. Decide for yourself.

It's really a shame that most will only know this album by the single, "Sugar". In my opinion, that song is extremely overrated, and easily the worst song on the album. In fact, it's the only song on here that I dislike at all. Not that it's bad, it's just significantly weaker than the rest. If I had to pick favorites, I'd go with "Suite Pee", "War", "Mind, "PLUCK", and the haunting "Spiders", but every song is amazing in its own way.

If you have reservations about numetal, and because of it have not gotten this album, just forget that, because I gurantee you'd be hard-pressed to find anything even vaguely "numetal" about this album at all. Anyone who has an appreciation for good music, and can keep an open mind will enjoy this. Haven't listened to all of "Toxicity" yet, but something tells me it won't come within miles of this. In fact, I doubt they could ever make another album like this. Don't ask questions, just buy this now! I also recommend "Chaosphere", by Meshuggah, if you liked this.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars System for a new century... are you down?, March 28, 2000

By	sc_demandred (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews

System of a Down lands at the forefront of the "new metal" movement with their self-titled debut album. I first heard of these guys when Snot brought them up to Santa Barbara to play a show with Manhole (now Tura Satana). Serj and the boys rocked the crowd hard, and left an indelible impression in my mind. Whenever I saw a mention of System in the press, I would remember that show as one of the most impressive I'd seen.

The album is musically tight as a lock. Musically System mix it up from metal riffs to Rage Against The Machine-esque guitar squeals; the songs race along at breakneck speed and then slow to a stop with no warning. "War?" is the album's anthem, a denunciation of the hypocrisy and greed that fuels all war efforts in our time. Other standout tracks are "Darts", "Mind", "Soil", and "Know." System may not be as MTV-friendly as Limp Bizkit or as hardcore as Pantera, but somehow they manage to walk a finer and truer line. Their politics are spoken from the heart, and their music is crushing, melodic, compelling and rocking all at the same time.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Metal, April 28, 2001

By	Infinity2 (Los Gatos, CA United States) - See all my reviews

System of a Down is one of the most influencial bands in today's metal scene. After the rap metal explosion, they were a major force in bringing metal back to its real form. Songs like Suite-Pee, Soil, and War? show the naturaly heavy side of System, while Suggestions, Peephole, and CUBErt show off their Eastern European flavor. Serj proves himself a great vocalist in Know, DDevil, and Darts, sounding like a cartoon character. The best songs are Spiders, Mind, and Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowadly Killers because they have the ability to take on their own life, and end up emotionally moving you. The only song on here that isn't above and beyond anything else in hardcore metal today is Sugar.

Overall, this CD is excellent. If the thought ever crosses your mind to get a Korn CD, get this one instead. It's well worth it. If you liked this, I recommend Violence by Nothingface, Boy Hits Car's self titled, and the Dracula 2000 soundtrack, which has the rare cut "Metro" on it.