07

System Of A Down
Mezmerize

Yep, it’s System again, this time with the poorly spelt first instalment of their two album opus. For me this is distinctly better than Hypnotize, although the distinction is a fine one (despite two albums having been wedged between them). I think it’s that the great tracks on this album really stand out, whereas I find Hypnotize blends into more of a whole. Every track here is as good as those on its sister album, but two or three are in another league (plus no crappy ‘Lonely Day’. Thank arse). Single ‘B.Y.O.B’ was a great re-introduction, which had all of the System trademarks: both silly and confrontational at the same time. ‘Cigaro’ is a brilliant assault on the senses, even if the lyrics are shite. In contrast, ‘Old School Hollywood’ has great, if bonkers lyrics about playing baseball with old dead legends. The best track is ‘Radio/Video’ which has a crunching metal chorus, a reggae stomp verse and an almost Amish sounding solo. If such a thing is possible in metal music. Inspired.

As with Hypnotize, I get the feeling that Mezmerize moves away a bit from System’s roots, it is less innovative (although still way more innovative than the competition) and is also more relaxed than some of the frantic stuff on earlier albums. Which doesn’t really make it better or worse, just different.

Two albums in the top 20 is just greedy, but impressive. This should have been released as one album, though, and it has not gone unnoticed that while Foo Fighters put out two albums as one release for a tenner, System Of A Down are money grabbing bastards and have charged £10 per album. It will not be forgotten, but it wasn’t enough to stop me buying them both and it won’t be enough to stop me buying their next album either…