Review
'Hypnotize' unfurls like a tapestry woven from thunderous riffs and delicate melodies, each thread carefully placed by System of a Down's masterful hands. Released in the waning days of 2005, this companion piece to 'Mezmerize' completes a musical journey that began six months earlier. Daron Malakian's guitar work slices through the air with scoured-staccato precision, while John Dolmayan's drumming rumbles beneath like tectonic plates shifting. Songs like 'Attack' and 'Kill Rock 'N Roll' erupt with volcanic force, yet 'Dreaming' and 'Holy Mountains' reveal hidden valleys of lush, lyrical beauty.
The album's true magic lies in the alchemical fusion of Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian's voices. Their vocal interplay dances across the sonic landscape, at times a furious tango, at others a graceful waltz. Rick Rubin and Malakian's production polishes this raw energy to a brilliant sheen, allowing each nuance to shine. The result is a record that sold over 320,000 copies in its first week, a testament to its ability to captivate listeners with its unique blend of aggression and sensitivity. 'Hypnotize' stands as a monument to System of a Down's innovative spirit, inviting us to lose ourselves in its intricate structures and emerge changed on the other side. - Camille
Artist Bio
System of a Down is an American-Armenian rock band from California that formed in 1994, bringing together elements of alternative metal, nu-metal, hard rock, and Armenian folk influences. The band started releasing music in the late 1990s, with their breakthrough self-titled debut album in 1998 and the critically acclaimed *Toxicity* in 2001, known for its socially and politically charged lyrics. Their lineup includes Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan, and their unique sound is marked by unpredictable structures and a mix of aggressive riffs and operatic vocals. They achieved notable milestones with the double No. 1 album releases of *Mezmerize* and *Hypnotize* in 2005, joining only a few acts to reach this chart feat. Fans of bands like Rage Against the Machine, Slipknot, and Deftones might find System of a Down’s approach to metal particularly interesting.
