Eating seeds is a past time activity - Toxicity. (Toxicity - System Of A Down)

Member Name: Donnabroom

Product:	Toxicity - System Of A Down
Date:	27/05/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A truly awesome metal album

Disadvantages: None

System of a Down: Toxicity:

I'm into heavier rock and metal music and System of a Down are one of my favourite bands. They are a fairly odd band and my enjoyment of them was certainly increased by my Mum's inability to remember the name of the band. In the past she has called them "Sit Your Mother Down" and "System of a Cloud" on more than one occasion much to mine and my Brother's amusement!

Toxicity was released in 2000 and was the bands second album. It earned them two Grammy nominations for the songs, Chop Suey and Aerials. Unfortunately the song Chop Suey was taken off the radios in America due to politically sensitive lyrics following the September 11th attacks which would have hurt the sales but thankfully not enough to stop the band from becoming big. It now receives regular airplay from music TV channels like Scuzz and Kerrang and no good night at a rock and metal is complete without a good old mosh to something from System of a Down.

Currently the band is on a, "permanent hiatus", which, according to their website, "may last months, may last years". They are all working on other projects at the moment, for more information check out their official website, www.systemofadown.com.

The band is made up of four members, two from Lebanon, one from Armenia and one from Hollywood. This mix of nationalities certainly adds flavour to their music with a lot of Eastern influence in what is a typically very Western genre of music. The result is something I really enjoy and obviously I am not the only one. I would go so far as to say that they are one of the best metal bands of all time.

For the best information on the band check out the "official, unofficial" website, www.soadfans.com, it is way better than their official website and the Wiki page too.

There are fourteen tracks on this album but I am not going to dissect each one here, I really don't see the need. I will how ever pick up on a few that really stand out for me.

Prison Song:

"Following the rights movements, You clamped on with your iron fists, Drugs became conveniently, Available for all the kids"

Prison song is a great opening track and a real fast paced, thumping track that is great to dance to at a (rock/metal) club. The mixture of the skilled drums, bass and guitar playing along with Serj's, (the lead man), strange vocal talent blend to create a truly great metal song. There is an anthemic feel to this song with the lyrics, "their trying to build a prison" repeated to great effect that makes your shout along.

Chop Suey:

"I don't think you trust, In, my, self righteous suicide, I, cry, when angels deserve to die"

This has to be one of the most beautiful and heart breaking metal songs of all time. From angry shouting to hauntingly soft vocals Serj certainly rocks this track. This is the kind of song that has people alternatively shouting and moshing and standing still on the dance floor singing at the top of their lungs. For some reason a lot of us angsty metallers seem to identify with the song and it is certainly great for exorcising a few personal demons.

Toxicity:

"What do you own the world? How do you own disorder?"

The title track and in my opinion one of the best songs ever. This is another amazing song to sing/shout along to and to really raise the roof and let off some steam. Full of venom towards society and the "establishment" this is a great song for us former disillusioned youths! This song has some weird lyrics, ("eating seeds is a past time activity"), but that is all part of it's charm!

Musically the whole album is splendid if you like metal. The musicians are all amazing at what they do and Shavo their bassist is one of my all time favourite bassists. He has an amazing beard too but that doesn't help him play bass it just makes him look cool!

None of the tracks feel like filler and they could all have been successful singles. I really feel you get your monies worth with Toxicity. SOAD use the transition between heavy thumping metal and soft gentle sections to great effect that I have not experienced before and the thought provoking lyrics soothe the soul of this rebellious metal freak!

I can't really describe this album well enough to convey just how awesome it is so if you like hard rock or metal listen to this album, (mind you if you do like hard rock/metal you have probably already heard it), if you don't it probably best to steer clear!

Summary: Toxicity, one of the best metal albums of all time