System Of A Down

A look back at Toxicity, sophomore album by System of a Down, 25 years after its release, on September 4, 2001.

System of a Down’s discography is about as tight and revered as they come. The alt-metal juggernaut hasn’t released an album since 2005’s Hypnotize, which capped a remarkable five-album run. Yet, even within such a beloved catalog, 2001’s Toxicity stands apart as their almost-undisputed best. Though the group’s 1998 self-titled debut album was kaleidoscopic in its own right, sophomore effort Toxicity entered the millennium with an even more ambitious exploration of metal, punk, folk and more. Vocalist Serj Tankian and guitarist-vocalist Daron Malakian swung for the fences with anthemic and pitch-perfect harmonies that packed a potent political punch — reflecting on police violence, the prison system, drugs, ecological concerns and more. The album shocked the system with its early singles. It has remained one of the most impactful releases of the 21st century — heavy or otherwise — and has shipped 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. While it’s stacked, we asked readers which Toxicity track stands out the most. These were their top 5 picks, ranked accordingly. “ATWA” “ATWA” takes its name from the eco-conscious ponderings of cult leader Charles Manson (the title standing for both “Air, Trees, Water, and Animals” and “All the Way Alive”), as a back-to-the-soil response to the madness of city living. It’s a heavy connection to make, but perhaps Tankian’s rapped-and-raged disenfranchisement (“You don’t care ‘bout how I feel anymore”) speaks to a broader disconnectedness we feel as the technocracy rolls on. That said, it turns out many care about how SOAD feels — proved so by “ATWA” registering high in this week’s fan pool. “Prison Song” Not many heavy-minded major-label outfits would have had the wherewithal to start their album with a condemnation of the U.S.’ war on drugs. Even fewer would have done so while roller-coastering themselves through a mix of mondo-bizarro dance-metal riffs, mock-mewling preciousness and rapid-fire info dumps before screeching themselves to a halt. Then again, most bands aren’t System of a Down. The feverish and pointed “Prison Song” likely would not have worked in anyone else’s hands but theirs, and this week’s poll-voters know it. “Deer Dance” “We can’t afford to be neutral on a moving train.” SOAD’s whiplash-inducing “Deer Dance” back-and-forths between two-note caveman moshes, panicked nu-thrash and soca grooves, making for one of the most dizzying displays on Toxicity. Its lyrics are a little more laser-focused, Tankian and Malakian targeting brutal police tactics launched in the face of public protest (“Pushing little children with their fully automatics/They like to push the weak around”). It’s a heady brew to contemplate, but fans have certainly found the rhythm of this “Deer Dance.” “Aerials” “We’re one in the river and one again after the fall.” “Aerials” is the only of Toxicity’s three singles to make the list this week. It escapes the void by way of bassist Shavo Odadjian’s melancholically rippling, chorus effect-soaked melody, and ramps up the drama with another soul-quaking vocal harmony between Malakian and Tankian. It’s one of their greatest and most shivers-inducing slow-burns. To be sure, it’s one of the cuts our readers wanna replay. “Forest” Come walk with us as we explain why “Forest” is the favorite child. Situated roughly in the middle of Toxicity, the elemental drive of “Forest” is an unsettling, even eerily gallop-chugged pace, replete with a roto-tom-walloped percussiveness. Serj Tankian takes you on a ride while hinting at the connection between humanity and Mother Earth — and how society has commodified its resources for the worse. The final product is food for thought. Some will feast on the knowledge, others will ride it out in the pit. Either way, “Forest” seems to be the Toxicity track our readers will be journeying with until the very end.

System Of A Down are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Toxicity with a new vinyl reissue that finally brings a longtime rarity to digital platforms. "Johnny," a track that has […]

As part of their 25th anniversary rollout in celebration of Toxicity, System Of A Down have also finally released "Johnny" as single digitally. The track, which previously saw release only international editions of ...

A studio fight, a canceled concert that turned into a riot, and a producer who admitted he never fully understood the band's biggest hit.

Wake up! We’ve just hit the silver anniversary of System of a Down’s revolutionary Toxicity, the musically eccentric and politically powerful sophomore album that cemented SOAD’s reputation as one of the greats. With the album having been released 25 years ago today (September 4th), the band have announced a new vinyl pressing that comes with a bonus 7-inch. The latest edition of Toxicity showcases the original album — featuring classic tracks like “Aerials,” “Deer Dance” and “Chop Suey!” The LP packaging also includes a custom double-sided poster, and the credits now correctly identify Toxicity’s hidden closing track as “Der Voghormia” (it had previously been referred to as “Arto”). The release also comes bundled with a one-sided 7-inch sporting Toxicity-era rarity “Johnny” on the A-side. The song had previously appeared on international editions of the album, and was likewise on a U.K. 7-inch with “Chop Suey!” The new bonus 7-inch features an etching on the flip. Due to be released November 20th, you can pre-order an exclusive variant of the new Toxicity bundle on “obsidian marble” vinyl (limited to 2500 copies) in Revolver’s shop, where you’ll likewise find the standard vinyl edition. Our shop also has a pre-order for the 25th anniversary version of Toxicity on CD — which includes updated artwork and extensive liner notes — and likewise features other SOAD albums and merch items.

The nu-metal classic has been repressed on a beautiful red.

System Of A Down's sophomore album, Toxicity, will celebrate its 25th anniversary tomorrow, September 4th.To mark the occasion, the band will launch a new anniversary vinyl pressing of the album tonight, September 3...

The nu metal icons’ second album came out on September 4, 2001, and remains a stone-cold classic

System of a downed webstore?

System Of A Down has earned its first Diamond-certified single, with "Chop Suey!" hitting 10x Platinum status from the RIAA as part of a broader wave of certifications announced August […]