System of a Down- Toxicity

Its often said that a band is the sum of its member’s personalities and if that’s so, then System of a Down must be a collection of borderline psychopaths. Throwing themselves together in downtown Los Angeles in the late ’90s, Psychopaths they may have been, but who said psychopaths cant be blessed with a sprinkle of genius thrown in for good measure.

Released just prior to the 9/11 tragedy in 2001, System of a Down produced a musical sledgehammer with ‘Toxicity’, their second studio album. Lyrically commenting on subjects such as mass incarceration in ‘Prison Song’, drug addiction in ‘Chop Suey’ and characters such as ‘Charles Manson’ in ‘ATWA’, this was a record that appealed to societies unease, distilling chaos and uncertainty into 44 minutes. Recorded at Cello Studios in Los Angeles with Rick Rubin producing, the band sought to continue their unique approach to metal but also added more melody to the mix. Combining drop C tuned heavy guitar with ‘Klesmer’ like Armenian drum rhythms, sitar, piano and full string sections, they continued their frenetic but focused sound that burst onto the scene from their first self titled Album. In total they recorded 30 tracks for Toxicity, narrowing the selection to 14, the remainder of which appeared on their follow up record, ‘Steal This Album’.

The record is not overproduced, it lacks the ‘silver-lined’ compressions and Grammy award-winning reverbs that smother other American hard rock records from the time. There is a gravity to the low end, the deep roar of a low C tuned guitar mixing with the woody texture of a Gibson Thunderbird bass. The mix is honest and reflects the sound of each instrument without over-complication, drums sound balanced and dry without ever being muddied or lost, if a performance sounds frenetic its because that’s exactly how it was played in the studio, it is not a fabrication of the recording process. What I adore here is that the records first half is filled with off the wall, punchy writing that then opens up into the second half with ‘Chop Suey’ when more instruments are introduced, more melody and harmony as if the band consciously take the listener through their progression as artists. Despite ‘Steal this Album’ being released long after ‘Toxicity’, there is a clear distinction between the two records, ‘Steal This Album’ is more melodic and can be seen as a precursor to the sound of their later releases, ‘Hypnotize’ and ‘Mesmerize’.

Particular highlights for me include ‘Prison song’- a Klesmer inspired waltz through the USA’s overpopulated prison system and alleged CIA involvement in the supply of illicit drugs. ‘Needles’, a frenetic assault on the ears about tapeworms controlling your actions and drug abuse. ‘Bounce’, about orgies….. and of course the singles ‘Chop Suey’, ‘Toxicity’ and ‘Aerials’. All makes for a relaxing Sunday morning waiting for the neighbours to come a-knocking.

Perhaps all good things must come to an end? System of a Down announced their permanent hiatus status a few years back and I for one have been waiting with bated breath for their return. There have been rumours since of them getting back into the studio but sadly, we have yet to hear any new material. Of course people change, attitudes change and the world changes with them but I believe there is a large army of fans out there, quietly hoping that these guys can break through whatever creative barriers they may have and come back bigger, bolder and brasher than ever. ‘System’ is a band that gave me great joy through their imaginative songwriting and untainted honesty, I did have the chance to catch the band live in London Wembley Arena a while back and they did not disappoint. I remember thinking (as I launched myself into a swirling torrent of human meat, dodging fists, elbows and other stray limbs), this might be the best moment in live music I have ever experienced and I may not ever get to experience it again. For fans across the world, let’s hope that that is not the case.