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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Let's clarify one thing right away: the lack of innovation in this album compared to the previous four is something that's hard to forgive the System Of A Down for. But one cannot overlook the incisiveness of the little that is new that the Armenian-origin band has included in Mezmerize. And above all, one cannot ignore the compactness and maturity of this work.
"Mezmerize" starts with a violence that is almost unusual even for SOAD (and that's saying something!): the first six tracks, while reminiscent in some instances (Revenga but also the single B.Y.O.B.) of the old albums (System Of A Down in particular), win over through subsequent listens but above all highlight a renewed attention from the group towards production (the album is produced by singer and guitarist Daron Malakian along with Rick Rubin) and greater aggressiveness. Worth noting for its folk influences and rock explosions is the fifth track, Radio/Video. Of great impact is Violent Pornography, the piece on television that hands over the baton to the more ballad-like part of the album: it is with Question! that System Of A Down return to the Aerials genre. Obviously without replicating its grandeur, but creating a great song with notable atmosphere (so much so that the references to the past in the refrain go unnoticed) and beautiful words ("Ghosts are not different from you/Ghosts now await you/And you?"). After the prophetic Sad Statue ("You and I/Will all go down in history/With a sad Statue of Liberty/And a generation that didn't agree"), comes the surprise: Old School Hollywood, in which SOAD infuse their nu metal with a notable dose of electronics, creating a small masterpiece that highlights Andy Wallace's good mixing.
And the album closes with Lost In Hollywood, a splendid ballad sung excellently. "Mezmerize" may not be System Of A Down's best work, but it's definitely a musically complete and enjoyable album with a clear message. Seven and a half.
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Summary by Bot
Mezmerize by System Of A Down shows little innovation compared to earlier albums but impresses with its maturity, aggressive sound, and refined production. The album mixes folk elements with nu metal and delivers strong tracks like 'B.Y.O.B.', 'Radio/Video', and 'Old School Hollywood.' While not their best work, it remains a musically complete and engaging album with a clear message.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
System of a Down
System Of A Down is an Armenian-American rock/metal band formed in Los Angeles. Core members are Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan. They are known for blending heavy/alternative metal with Middle Eastern influences and politically charged lyrics.49 Reviews
Other reviews
By antuana
BYOB is a classic SOAD track, with a syncopated verse and a chorus that opens up into an easy and melodic tune that sticks with you.
Two totally different voices, always on opposite tonalities blending together! The result is that the quality of the album indeed benefits from it!
By Bleem
If the whole album is like this, I’ll go skinny dipping in the Trevi Fountain...
Those expecting a Toxicity 2 will have to settle for 6-7 nice little tunes that will drive them crazy for the first 2 days...
By Revenga
"Byob has a very strong political sense, I really like the guitar solo at the beginning."
"A good album, but not at the levels of 'Toxicity' where the band brought out the best of themselves with simply stunning songs."
By Casacci91
"B.Y.O.B is the masterpiece of the record for its immense anger."
"It’s precisely the soft/hard intertwining that makes this album unique in its genre."
By durasno7
Mezmerize is a bomb, which I would rather call a 'time bomb,' since it will take much longer to please you, but still devastating in its whirlpool of genres.
Each song represents a standalone creative peak, with its own personality and unique style, and also thanks to these qualities the CD will remain in your player for a long time.
