"i have been listening to system for a little over a year and it seams that every time i listen to a song i catch something new in the music or a notice a stronger emotion in the pitch of his voice. I am always playing it for kids who have never listened to it before and the way it always catches them off guard and strikes them makes me an even bigger fan. The c.d. is definitely my favorite ."
One of the Best Albums of the 90s
timmyacid | Colorado Springs, CO United States | 11/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"System of a Down's frenitic, violent, dark, angry debut album rates right up there with the likes of RATM, Tool, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana, who also had absolutely fantastic debuts. As soon as you hit the "play" button, SOAD invades your room with their unique, bleak, and fascinating sound. The album is foreboding, with lyrics that make you question their mental stability. The trippy, social distortion-charged message, the booming, bowel-moving bass, the insane guitars along with the machine-gun rat-tat-tat of the drums makes for an unsettling experience that opens up your mind to a whole new horizon of music and thinking. But with an album of such magnitude as this, SOAD is going to have a hard time topping it. I just hope they stay true to their roots. It would be sad to see them waste their talent and sell out, becoming just another Rage-cum-Korn band."
Killer lyrics, pounding bass, and lots of screaming
timmyacid | 01/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The whole CD is great, it's a must have. SOAD is the first band in a long time that really stands apart from the rest. The first time I heard Serj Tankian, I thought of Danny Elfman, in that he uses his voice in an unconventional manner. Screaming, whispering, fluctuating the tone - you gotta love it when he sings "The ships are multiplying day after day, Sir" in Suggestions. These guys are cutting, bleeding edge."
INSPIRING
timmyacid | 10/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I MET SHAVO!!!!!!!Amazing band...... if rage against the machine met primus and turned the funk up 100% you get SOAD..... Absolutely breathtaking..... A great live show too! The pit was flying"
Wonderful and Original
Amir X. Tajakin | Orange County, California | 08/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"System Of A Down has to be the most original band on the nu-metal scene right now, spare Incubus and Mindless Self Indulgence. They have one of the best singers I have ever heard in Serj Tankian, with his inane ramblings, psychotic whimpers, and whisper to a scream verses/choruses. He is original and charismatic, and he holds an amazing stage presence. If you have a chance to see them live, go see them, they are amazing. Serj holds not only personal anger, he also holds anger towards the Armenian government, the country where the band originates. They are a political band, believe it or not, although they do sound a little like the metal scenes' comedians at first listen. The band are all excellent musicians, and every instrument is very clearly brought out by Rick Rubin. Shavo's bass is excellent and is very easy to hear. There are even occasional bass solos on this masterpiece. Daron's guitar work is also wonderful, and he often explodes into huge choruses and such. John is a good drummer, and very consistent as well. They all come together to make one of the most awesome bands I have ever heard. They are a mix of funk, rap, metal, folk, and politics. No one dared do this kind of thing before them, and that is why they are so original. My favorite songs on here are P.L.U.C.K., Sugar, Spiders, War?, CUBErt, and Know. This one also comes with a limited edition ECD that has four of their best tracks live, although I really don't think it does justice to their great live show. It also has the video for Sugar, which is nothing short of superbly produced. Also check out Nuclear Rabbit, Tribal Disco Noise, Linea 77, and Toxic Field Mice."