 Like many late-'90s metal bands,
System of a Down struck a balance between '80s underground thrash metal and
metallic early-'90s alternative rockers like
Jane's Addiction. Their dark, neo-gothic alternative metal earned a cult
following in the wake of the popularity of such likeminded bands as
Korn and
the Deftones. Vocalist
Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer
John Dolmayan formed
System of a Down in southern California in the mid-'90s. They quickly earned
a strong following in Los Angeles, largely based on strong word of mouth. A
three-song demo began circulating through metal collectors, and their fan base
soon spread throughout not only America, but Europe and New Zealand.
By the end of 1997, the group had signed to American, then distributed by
Columbia Records. American/Columbia released the group's eponymous debut album
in the summer of 1998, securing the band opening spots on the
Slayer and Ozzfest tours.
System of a Down eventually went gold, and set up the
September 2001 release of the even more ambitious Toxicity.
System of a Down's second effort was another heavy music triumph, shaming the majority
of their nu metal competition and running away with multi-platinum honors. The
quartet didn't slow down. Malakian started the eatURmusic imprint and
Tankian a label called Serjical Strike;
Tankian also collaborated with Armenian avant-garde folk musician
Arto Tuncboyaciyan in a project called
Serart. In November 2002
System of a Down issued the bare-bones but no less powerful odds 'n' ends set Steal
This Album!; they also remained politically active.
By 2004
System of a Down were back in the studio with Rick Rubin. The bold result of
those sessions was a single, epic album released in two parts. Mezmerize/Hypnotize
kept
System of a Down's furious creativity alive, incorporating the wild vocal melodies,
lyrical passion, and rabid structural shifts that had become their trademark.
Mezmerize, or part one, appeared in May 2005, while Hypnotize, its final
section, appeared later in the year, and both hit the top of the album charts. ~
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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