Hypnotize

A lot of System of a Down fans have been alienated by the Mezmerize/Hypnotize project, but for my money, the band has never done anything as bold and impressive as this. I think a lot of people jumped on the System of a Down bandwagon because of Toxicity's melody combined with the hook of Serj's unique vocals; these albums are a lot more complex in construction, so no doubt these "fans" will just download the "funny" tracks and not actually listen to the music. Mezmerize's "Cigaro" will be right up their alley, as will "Viscinity of Obscenity" here. Yes, that's condescending, but frankly, that's the way it is. I'm not entirely sure why it's a double album, with the overall length short enough to fit on one disc, but that's down to the band. I'm not complaining because I got both on amazon for £5 each. Anyway, on with the review perhaps? The band has moved so far along the path of schizophrenic tempo-jumping metal that most of these songs are held together by sheer force rather than by any single musical idea. Strangely enough, it works. Daron's guitar is the focus on many songs, but John's drums are also particularly agile. The band has clearly stepped up their game since Toxicity and Steal This Album. While it's a shame that Serj's vocals have been pushed to the background on some songs, he excells himself in almost every situation. Daron's nasal vocals don't work as well on their own, but where both vocals appear, the contrast makes for a more interesting sound than ever before. Some of the lyrics are kind of silly, but System have never taken themselves too seriously, so that's to be expected. Now more than ever, Serj pulls off the most incredible tongue-twisters with ridiculous accuracy and clarity that you may actually wet yourself (see "Viscinity of Obscenity"). Even though this is a difficult album at first, it contains some of the most melodic work the band has produced; "Tentative", "U-Fig", "Soldier Side". My favourite personally is "Viscinity of Obscenity", with the truly head-spinning cadence of Serj's vocals and the main bouncy riff. So, basically, it's the new System of a Down, and I like it. I like it more than the old one. Maybe you won't.

This is quite simply a brilliant, original and idiosyncratic album, quintessential SOAD. I'm a bit surprised at some of the less positive reviews on Amazon (2 and 3 stars). Yes there are some weaker tracks (She's like Heroin and Vicinity of Obscenity) but stand-outs like Attack, Tentative, U-Fig and Dreaming are as good as anything these boys have ever done. If you like SOAD this is an essential purchase.

I love System. It's a real shame they can't put their creative differences aside and produce another album. The Armenia benefit songs are just a hint of what they could do if they just got on with it. In the meantime this last album serves as a reminder of what a truly exceptional band they are (or were).

Great album

If you've listened to System of A Down's earlier work and liked it, get Hypnotize too. It's more of the same, which is a good thing in most ways. All or most songs have a typical System of A Down identity, although they seem less memorable than on Toxicity. The experience when listening is very fulfilling, but the memory of a 'nice album' lingers more than memories of songs in particular. That said, the tempo-switches and guitar work and those voices (not just Serj Tankian) really give this album its identity. Also, there's some nice artwork in the CD-cover, which is a bonus!

This album has 12 tracks of brain aneurysm inducing sonic formations. If you also get Mezmerize and listen them both back to back, you're either going to became a political left-winged activist for a better future for mankind, OR you're going to think that humanity is lost and you'll begin your end-world bunker construction.

System of a Down has got to be one of the most out spoken and "different" bands out there, i don't think you could find a band similar to them, this is one of their latest releases and i reckon its pretty good, although "Toxicity" was probably their best album in my opinion but still a great buy, price was competitive too. Would recommend "Elect The Dead" by Serj Tankian, the singer from SOAD, his side project is also very good.

Price was good , 5 stars top album by the iconic metal group. A must for any heavy metal fan out there.

La versión digipak importada, con la portada de relieve y brillante, se escucha perfecto, un buen álbum para completar la gran época que fue primero en 2005 Mezmerize y año siguente Hypnotize, llegó en perfecto estado, con retraso un par de días, pero todo bien.

Toujours ce mélange de riffs lourds, de rythmiques rapides et de chant parfois lyrique. Regorge peut être de moins de hits que certains autres albums mais très bon quand même.

Original disc

Top album

Quinto disco del grupo que supuso el punto ¿final? del grupo en noviembre de 2005, publicado como la segunda mitad de una obra magistral compuesta por el anterior álbum, 'Mesmerize', y éste mismo, 'Hypnotize' (los cuales, por cierto, se pueden unir físicamente a través de solapas de cartón situadas en sus respectivas cajas). Los temas son el fruto de la depuración de su inigualable e indescriptible estilo, mezcla de hard rock y heavy metal junto con registros orientales e incluso étnicos de lo más melódicos, todo ello agitado con una pizca de surrealismo y unas letras un poco locas y polémicas. En fin, un auténtico placer para los sentidos para cualquier amante del rock que se precie de serlo. Imprescindible poseer la primera parte para admirar la obra en su auténtica dimensión. En esta segunda mitad, si tuviera que destacar algunas canciones, me quedo con 'Kill rock'n roll', que es como un disparo en la sien; una canción corta, impactante y musicalmente brillante; y el cierre del disco, 'Soldier side', que podría sintetizar perfectamente lo que son System of a Down. Por favor, que vuelvan a juntarse pronto...