Description

System of a Down may be seen as part and parcel of the nu-metal explosion of the late-'90s, but their style is less akin to the likes of Limp Bizkit and Korn than to vintage thrash from the '80s, spiced with a touch of hardcore punk. The band's sound may be typified by pounding drums and scorched-earth guitar tactics, but these work in the service of a sophisticated, highly politicized lyrical sensibility a la System of a Down's soul brothers in Rage Against the Machine. While the band thrashes through their songs with enough fervor to satisfy the most insatiable metal fiend, there are enough varied dynamics employed to lend a fair amount of grace to the heaviness.

Biography

This Los Angeles, California, USA-based alternative metal band comprises three members of Armenian heritage, Serj Tankian (b. 1968, USA; vocals), Daron Malakian (b. 1976, USA; guitar) and Shavo Odadjian (bass), and John Dolmayan (drums). Tankian, Malakian and Odadjian first played together in 1993 as Soil, renaming themselves System Of A Down, from a poem by Malakian, in 1995. Recruiting drummer Dolmayan they built up a following on the southern California circuit with their explosive live act. Rick Rubin, who, in September 1997, made the band the first new act on his American Recordings label, spotted them playing at Hollywood's Viper Room. Their debut album, released in June 1998, was recorded at the Sound City studios with Rubin and Dave Sardy acting as producers. The band's heady fusion of alternative metal and programmed beats was augmented by subtle Eastern European influences, earning them comparisons to contemporary metal bands such as Korn and the Deftones. The band's political agenda raised their aggro-metal to another level, however, with songs such as "P.L.U.C.K." ("Politically, Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers") and live favourite "War?' refusing to draw a veil over atrocities committed in their homeland. The band subsequently enjoyed high-profile touring slots with Slayer and on summer 1998"s Ozzfest, and confirmed their status as one of the leading rock acts of the new millennium with the release of Toxicity.
DISCOGRAPHY: System Of A Down (American 1998)****, Toxicity (American 2001)****.
COMPILATIONS: Steal This Album! (American 2002)***.
VIDEOGRAPHY: Psycho Messiahs (Chrome Dreams 2002).

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