MEZMERIZE
SYSTEM OF A DOWN are nothing if not unique. This group of Armenian rockheads consistently crank out some of the most eccentric, orginal, heavy rock with every release.
Mezmerize is the first half of a two-part release,
Mezmerize/Hypnotize, the second part of which will be released later this year, and it features a wide variety of influences, from the ethnic middle-eastern sounding lines in "Radio/Video" (almost 'Hava Nagila'-ish in nature)... to the brutal, thunderous riffs in the first single "B.Y.O.B".
As was the case with previous SOAD releases, the songs on
Mezmerize can be schizophrenic at times, shifting from very melodic, slow, rythmic lines to aggressive screamfests in a matter of seconds. "B.Y.O.B" is a perfect example of that kind of dynamic songwriting. The song shifts drastically between this political, anti-war rant to (what sounds like, but isn't really) a mellow, groove-oriented party track.
You almost feel guilty about singing along with some of these songs (and these are some of the most hummable tracks the band has ever recorded), because the lyrics are so extreme. A perfect example of that is "Violent Pornography"...the catchiest part of the song includes the lyrics "Choking chicks and Sodomy"...yeah, nice...
Rick Rubin produced this disc along with guitarist Daron Malakian, and these two managed to bring out some of the most incredible performances and songwriting from thes SOAD crew. What Malakain lacks in vocal ability (dude, you shouldn't be singing. Leave that to your boy, Serj...), he more than makes up for with his guitar work. This guy is like a fountain of metal riffs. Malakian's guitar work, Serj Tankian's enraged vocals and lyric writing, and Rubin's watchful eye all come together to make
Mezmerize an instant classic. I can't wait to see how they follow this when
Hypnotize hits later this year.
