System of a Down – Hypnotize

System of a Down
Artist: System of a Down
Title: Hypnotize
Label: Columbia
Rating: 7/10

FILE UNDER: Not your parent’s rock ‘n’ roll.

CORPORATE LINE: Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, Hypnotize maintains System of a Down’s reputation as full-spectrum agitators who adeptly channel righteous rage into compelling, provocative and relevant rock. Daron, singer Serj Tankian, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan recorded some 30 tracks for Mezmerize/Hypnotize at Rubin’s Laurel Canyon studio between May and December of 2004. The songs are more complex, more progressive, more unorthodox and more experimental than ever, while retaining the idiosyncratic, ironic and schizophrenic qualities that make System of a Down so distinctive.

The album’s title track, “Hypnotize,” is set to impact rock radio October 11. Shavo–who came up with the performance-based concept–will be directing the video to be shot later this month.

Starting with the Los Angeles-based band’s 1998 genre-defying self-titled debut to 2001’s breakthrough Toxicity, System of a Down has become a critical and commercial success on a global scale. The group has sold more than 13 million records, earning 64 platinum, gold and silver awards around the world. Each release has achieved multi-platinum status, including the current Mezmerize which topped the album charts in a dozen countries and is the single biggest alternative hard rock debut of this year.

THE GREAT:
“Dreaming” – Vocals collide as Tankian and Malakian drain emotions that stir and brewing over the instrumental insanity.
“Tentative” – SOAD shoot for the sky with this epic that is ready to challenge the world with lyrics like “No one is going to save us now/ Not even God.”
“Holy Mountains” – An ambitious song that grieves for the one and a half million Armenians massacred during World War I by the Ottoman Turks.

THE AVERAGE:
“Attack” – SOAD brings an energizing opener that goes straight for the juggler of America and its war. The verses, although tepid, are much better than the screeching chorus.
“Kill Rock N Roll” – It’s insane but you have to love the line “Mow down the sexy people” and “eat all the grass that you want.” This proves just how crazy and out-there these guys can get.
“U-Fig” – Aggressive and rather plain with uninspiring lyrics; “beat ‘em beat ‘em beat ‘em/eat ‘em eat ‘em eat ‘em.”

THE BAD:
Nothing.

FRANKLY: System of a Down knows how to isolate themselves and that is exactly what they do best. This is not the kind of music that is accessible to the masses—and that is a good thing. Hypnotize rocks, rolls, and in usual System style its lyrical stoic and deep.

+ Rae Gun


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