Album Details

• Artist: System Of A Down
• Album: System Of A Down
• Label: American
• Year of Release: 1998
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: sinist3r-punk on 2011-03-18

What do people think when they hear System of a Down? Is it their international fame caused by constant radio play and promotions on channels like MTV? Or do people think back to their 2001 release, Toxicity and their quirky songs aimed towards the fractured United States government? Sadly, most people begin their history of System of a Down here, right when the band got recognition. For the purpose of this review, we must go back, to the true beginning.

The beginning for SOAD was their s/t album. The year was 1998 and I was just a lad, at the age of 7. I never expressed any interest in System of a Down until much later in my life, and the reason for this was simple. Hype. When Toxicity rolled around, it was like the second coming of Christ. From then, until the time the band went on "hiatus", all I heard was how great SOAD was. It quickly grated on my nerves and I got to the point where I never wanted to hear another song from them ever again. But listening to all this hype, I noticed that people were leaving something out. Why wasn't there any talk of their debut album? I wondered if this was perhaps a poor effort that everyone was hoping to scoot under the rug, un-noticed and forgotten. As I listened to the album, my mood quickly changed from skepticism and hatred to amazement and wonder. This must have been some kind of massive conspiracy. Toxicity paled in comparison to their s/t album. Yet, Toxicity sold over 12 million copies, while their debut barely sold a million, and half of those sales were spurred on by the hype surrounding Toxicity.

The debut album is everything you want from a band with potential. It carved out a fan base that understood what makes music worth the frustrations, and it brought millions of people into the waiting arms of System, or rather, it should have. For all the intensity and raw, un-polished nature of the s/t, it didn't equal the success and attention that undeservedly went to the band after their later albums. This presented an almost perfect contradiction in the music world. How could something that carried worldwide critical praise barely make a dent in terms of sales? While selling 500,000 copies is no small feat, albums with less praise have gone on to become multi-platinum powerhouses. It baffles me to this day, and I don't think this mystery will ever be solved.

It's been nearly 13 years since System of a Down put out their s/t album, and I still hear people talk about Toxicity like it is the holy grail of metal, without a single mention of the album that started the illustrious career of a great band, and that's truly disappointing. Yes, SOAD got their recognition, but it was for all the wrong reasons. I genuinely believe that System's s/t is their best, and one of the most underrated albums ever. Is this album ever going to receive the respect from fans that it deserves? Probably not. But I find comfort in the fact that I, along with my peers, can see this masterpiece for what it is. A fantastic, trend-setting album that never got the chance it deserved.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2011-11-09 kazy Said:

I love this album but i also like toxicity people always going on about the hole mainstream thing like just because a lot of people like it it takes away from the music lots of people like led zepplin but u carnt say that there music is shit i think people shoud go on what music makes them feel not on how many people bort it
Not Rated

on 2011-03-25 SolitaryMan Said:

Your misgivings about people around here discrediting "mainstream" as "bad" are totally unfounded, and, frankly, make you sound a bit behind the times. Anyone who still holds on to this mentality is simply not a fan of music, but of sub-levels of musical genres they attach themselves to and defend aimlessly. I don't see any of our editorial reviewers taking this position on a regular basis. And, despite your opinions of SOAD after their S/T, I think most would agree their sound took a bit of a dive from Toxicity onward. Some great songs to be had on every subsequent record, for sure, but no album compares to the first.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2011-03-25 gutterseed Said:

This is their best album. I agree with hstigod. It sells for a reason. I like SYOD. Who cares if the lead singer is "operamatic". if it weren't for "operamatic singers", we sould not have Bruce Dickenson. I don't listen to this album because of the influences.
What i dislike about most people on this site is their quick jump to "oh it made FM radio"....to be honest with you, I never understood the whole "oh this album made the radio, and now the band sucks"...If you want to call yourself underground, don't listen to bands on FM radio.
Although "Toxicity" is an outstanding album, it's not quite as raw as this album.
SYOD reminds me of Operation Mindcrime, Aces High, and most Dead Kennedy's albums. This IS a golden record. Although I'm not a fan of opera, I am a fan of "operamatic" metal. While I wouldn't agree they were an adaption of the sunset strip and unworthy of playing there, their performances and songs on both SYOD, Toxicity, hypnotize and mezmorize are all outstanding albums.
That said, this album, because of it's punk influences deserves a 10/10. I think this snobbish mentality of bands going mainsstream and getting airplay is a testament to their dedication. All of the aformentioned albums stick to their roots. They made radio for a reason, the songs played on FM radio were good. There is no reason to hate a band because of their radio play, especiallly when only a few songs made it, and every other song they did is awesome.
For the record, Serj has done an outstanding job writing his own music. He sticks to what he knows as most artists who go solo do. Serj is an artist. There is no reason to diss him because he left a band to do his own thing. I wish Phil from Pantera would start doing the same.
None of SYOD's albums, nor Serj's albums for that matter, deserve any less than a 10. Hstigod, great review, and very objective, I think you should give Serj another chance. I don't care if this is an underground site or not.
Apocolypitica deserves a round of applause as well. SYOD's albums are all 10/10. I could listen to them over and over....and never become bored
Not Rated

on 2011-03-19 hstisgod Said:

Ah, one of those golden records, regardless of how many it sells. Often referred to as SOAD, System Of A Down was a quick adaption to the sunset strip. Sure, some may have first scoffed at their wickedly operatic singer.

The first time I was introduced to this album had to be 1998, a friend of mine Aaron gave me that whole bro you have to listen to this spiel. I was sucked in from moment one& Sure, they have sort of parted ways after tasting the cheese of Hollywood and Vine, but that does not discount the hard work of this album. Blitzing tracks like the 1:49 seconds of CUBErt that seems to be an in-your-face PostHardcore/Punk mincing.

Im not sure where to go from here, the singles? Yeah, there were a few singles spun on dark night FM radio when this released. The self-titled major label debut features chart successes like Sugar, Spiders, and War, which all had some of the most energetic metal I had heard in years. In 98, I hadnt seen these understandings of rhythm and anger for their government since R. A. T. M. (Rage Against The Machine). P.L.U.C.K. is clearly the best choice of all the attempted singles, so extreme with its melodies and cool down periods. Daron Malakian (guitar) steps in so nicely with an aggressive vocals that pairs so well with the rest of the song.

Mind is brutally moody, staring into your soul. Set there by an eery bass-line, followed up by creepy guitar subtleties and a drum job thatll singe your hairs. Serj Tankian hops in with casual lyricism, then shows off a bit of his range. Look at each other, he repeats often for the intro and quietly for the outro. After an explosion of instrumentation, check out his verse and the simple chorded build up into the chorus that always changes tempo. For the creepiest of tones and tabbing, Spiders takes the spotlight. Its here that Tankians musty and dark lyricism is highlighted the most.
Approaching guiding light, Our shallow years in fright, Dreams are made winding, through my head. Through my head, Before you know, Awake.

I just have no words for how this very different project means to me and my ultimate desert island collection. Forget Serj and all his solo fun and fame. Malakian has a mind of hooks that will never be cloned. With the exception of P.L.U.C.K. and a song or two, youll notice one thing missing from this SOAD release; the lack of Darons backing vocals. This was truly the one aspect missing that I would have liked to have heard paired with their most pure edge. Then again, would more of a backing vocals presence have watered down their sound like the SOAD of latter albums? Yes indeed, without a doubt without delay, I hand this recording to the mayor of my unfound desert island.
Rating: 10/10

on 2011-02-16 dscanland Said:

Oh yeah, a good old fashioned three way editorial review showdown. Giddyup!
Not Rated

on 2011-02-16 hstisgod Said:

Yeah, Kevin, you have no choice bro, you're in too.
Rating: 10/10

on 2011-02-16 Sinist3r Punk Said:

No way Kevin. Your just as deserving of the Editorial Review as me and Brian. Your an established and respected member of this staff. And I wanna see what you can do.
Not Rated

on 2011-02-16 SolitaryMan Said:

I can bow out of this one. "blatantly ignored my duties" about sums up the last year in regards to me and ME, so you two should definitely wrap up what you had planned. I'll be sure to post a user review afterwards, anyway. I love this album, absolutely love it.
Not Rated

on 2011-02-16 Sinist3r Punk Said:

Hmm. Interesting proposal Brian. Are you sure 3 isnt too many? And I wanted to give someone else the opportunity since I blatantly ignored my duties.
Not Rated

on 2011-02-16 hstisgod Said:

Gentlemen, you're both here long enough to have seen this...

http://www.musicemissions.com/blog/index.php/2009/10/08/write-off-system-of-a-down-system-of-a-down/

It's not out of the question to put three up to the challenge...let the community vote, new deadline...March 1st
Rating: 10/10

on 2011-02-16 Sinist3r Punk Said:

Lol. Me and Brian were just talking about this. I know Brian finished his review, I've only outlined mine. If you want it Kevin, your more than welcome to battle it out with Brian.
Not Rated

on 2011-02-16 SolitaryMan Said:

Anyone got a review ready for this? Just looking through my CD collection for some classics to review, and was shocked this one wasn't reviewed yet. Brian? Brandon? Anybody?
Not Rated

on 2009-08-29 hstisgod Said:

Just finished my review SiniPunk and am now editing...Talked to Dennis on Friday...said he wanted to set up a poll for people to vote on the review. That may not happen till Monday 8.31.9. So let's reschedule for publishing then...
Rating: 10/10

on 2009-08-16 hstisgod Said:

I'm in when's the due date?
Rating: 10/10

on 2009-08-16 Sinist3r Punk Said:

Does anybody wanna throw together a little editorial showdown for the right to review this one?
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-09-29 Bastard Said:

this is a good cd, but quite as good as toxicity. on many levels it is just not quite right. sorry that i'm pretty vague but the meds i'm on right now is making me kinda loopy.
Rating: 7/10