Ep. 10 | System Of A Down - Toxicity

Beyond The Beat

Like Systems debut album, Toxicity seemed utterly chaotic upon its first listen, but the small refinements of more melody helped it become more accessible and gain mainstream attention. Not even the events of 9/11, (a week after the album's release) and having Chop Suey ripped from radio playlists, could tear it from the airwaves. People were attracted to their distinct style of fun interesting guitar riffs, Serj’s ‘swiss army knife’ vocals on top of Daron’s strange singing, the fun and unconventional drumming, and the diversity of their songs. They managed to get more poppier over time without giving the feeling like they were selling out. Also, their politics weren’t so overt that it distanced certain listeners. They still had political songs, but they did so in a way that was more surreal, adventurous and musically accomplished without sacrificing any of the heaviness or intensity that got them signed to a record deal.

Toxicity provided a perfect soundtrack to post-9/11 anxiety. System in a lot of ways had a contradictory sound. It can sound both incredibly juvenile and surprisingly mature, which leaks in the lyrics as well. As Daron said in an interview, “We like to stay on that verse-chorus type of tradition except sometimes the verse will be a waltz and the chorus will be hardcore.” How many popular bands can say that Waltz is a component of their music? They didn’t follow the so-called rules of Heavy Metal. No one before sounded like System Of A Down, and no one really since. But as Rick Rubin said, they transcended not fitting in, and those are the best artists. Those are the revolutionary bands, and those are the ones that change the world.