Mezmerize
by System Of A Down

This album is phenomenal the whole way through and its short run time means there are literally no skips on here. The musicianship present on here is simply mesmerising, it is infectious and complex allowing for explorative listens but also casual listens. It is so easy to be completely swept away by the energy and passion on this record as they create such a powerful atmosphere that you can't help but feel engulfed by. It amazes me every time I listen to this record as it really does a fantastic job at dragging you into the music and making it feel personal. You are never really given a respite from the energy either except for right at the close where they slowly ease you out of the record with the brilliant album finisher of Lost In Hollywood. Furthermore, the vocal is fantastic with the delivery of their lyrics being full of weight and authority and while it may not be as lyrically good as Toxicity there is still a load to look into on here. Instrumentally, it is stunning from start to finish with the drums and guitar performances being amongst the best I have heard in this genre. The guitar alone is filled with so much passion that it could carry this album by itself but it doesn't need to as the quality is matched in all other areas. Overall, I was not expecting this record to be as consistent and cohesive as it was but the music did the talking and proved to me that this is one of the greatest albums ever made.

The only album I've ever heard with absolutely no filler, I would choose to listen to any song in this album individually.

Highlights:

-B.Y.O.B. (of course)
-Question!
-This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song
-Sad Statue

Very consistent album, but lacks the quality tracks that Toxicity has. Highlights are BYOB, Question, This Cocaine. Can't help but get a kick out of Cigaro too.

Their sound in this album is all over the map, but in a good way. They are balancing between their typical aggressive style, a softer, melodic ballad-ish side and some weird stuff that may seem over the top (but why would you like SOAD if you don't like weird). In terms of lyrics they combine social-political criticism with their unique sense of humor. This is my favorite album by them. Overall, 80/100.

Riffs. Rhythm. Melody. These guys are king of it all. There's no one that sounds even remotely like them. Totally unique. Every album they've put out is full of great tracks and this is no exception.

Another awesome SOAD work here. I didn't like it as well as Tox or Hypnotize, but still really enjoyed it. Such a unique, heavey, and all around awesome sound. Favorite track was probably Old School Hollywood. Just had some charm about it.

From elo269megv 01/28/2017 02:30 | #184421

Very solid album top to bottom. Some lyrics are forgettable though.

Very good album from SOAD. I like its variety, from hard pieces to ballads, passing through songs like Radio-Video. Nice work.

From Decurso 08/22/2014 14:45 | #120104

A much more conventional sounding album than SOAD's previous work, but it works well. Full of catchy, instantly memorable songs. My personal favourites are Radio/Video, Old School Hollywood and Violent Pornography. A high point in a largely dismal decade.

From swagnadalf 08/16/2014 20:12 | #119633

A decent album, but some of it doesn't work very well (Old School Hollywood, I'm looking at you). The good stuff is really good though.