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"Toxicity"
US CD single
Single by System of a Down
from the album Toxicity
B-side	"Störaged"
Released	January 22, 2002
Recorded	2001
Studio	Cello (Hollywood)
Genre	Nu metal progressive metal
Length	3:39
Label	American Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Daron Malakian Shavo Odadjian Serj Tankian
Producer(s)	Daron Malakian Rick Rubin Serj Tankian
System of a Down singles chronology
"Chop Suey!" (2001) "Toxicity" (2002) "Aerials" (2002)
Alternative cover
UK/European release. Colors may vary between red, grey or white.
Music video
"Toxicity" on YouTube

"Toxicity" is a song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released in 2002, as the second single from their second album of the same name. The song was written by band members Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and Serj Tankian. It is known for its dynamic chorus, aggressive vocals, and prominent drum beat. The song is predominantly in triple meter, alternating between
₄,
₈ and
₄ time. The guitar during the verse plays in
₄ using a 2+2+2 phrasing while the heavy part ("somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep") makes use of a hemiola with the guitar switching to a 3+3+3+3 pattern while the drums remain in compound duple meter until the bridge. The song was ranked number 14 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs, and was called a nu metal classic by Stylus Magazine.

Background

"Toxicity," an important song for System of a Down, was initially brought to the band by bassist Shavo Odadjian, who introduced the composition under the title "Version 7.0." Odadjian conceived this title in reference to the then-popular AOL software, stating, "When this song comes out, it'll be on Version 7.0, and we'd be telling the future." Despite the band's reputation for guitarist Daron Malakian and vocalist Serj Tankian as the principal songwriters, Odadjian's original concept played a crucial role in the song's development.

During the recording process, the band, encouraged by producer Rick Rubin to "over-write," entered the studio with an extensive repertoire of approximately 44 songs. However, "Toxicity" nearly went overlooked, with Odadjian recalling that it had "fallen through the cracks." He reflected, "I felt so good about it, and it wasn't taken well." It was only when Malakian revisited the composition that the song was fully realized, marking it as a significant addition to their album.

Recording

"There were times when we fuckin' threw down. , John and I were totally going at it. My lip was all cut up, and I took a microphone stand and hit him across the head and his head was all bashed in. Shavo and Serj were looking at us saying, 'Awww, man, we're done.' But right after we fought, we took each other to the hospital and got stitched up right next to each other. Both of us were sitting there laughing, saying, 'This is one of the coolest moments in the history of our band.'"

The recording of "Toxicity" involved intense collaboration and conflict among band members, leading to its distinctive sound. The song's beat was crafted by drummer John Dolmayan, who drew inspiration from a moment of irritation with Odadjian. Dolmayan humorously recounted how he mimicked Odadjian's gestures while trying to find the right rhythm, ultimately leading to one of his most recognizable beats. Dolmayan wrote, "I was trying to figure out beats. Shavo was right in front of me and wouldn't stop talking. I was like, 'Shavo, give me a second to try and come up with something.' He was like, 'Why don't you try it like this?' He was moving his arms up and down. To mock him, I did what I thought he was doing. That beat came out of complete irritation. It was very much just, 'Get the fuck out of my face. I'm going to do this so you leave.'"

Malakian's vision for "Toxicity" steered the band toward a more melodic and anthemic direction, expanding their sound beyond their metal roots. His focus on crafting songs with larger choruses was a departure from the band's earlier style, reflecting an evolution in their musical approach. This shift was not without its challenges; intense disagreements sometimes erupted into physical altercations, exemplified by a notable brawl between Malakian and Dolmayan. Despite the violence, the aftermath of their confrontation fostered a renewed sense of camaraderie, propelling the band to complete "Toxicity" alongside other key tracks like "Chop Suey!" in a burst of creativity. Dolmayan reflected, "Maybe was positive for us because the week after hospitalization, we went in, and 'Chop Suey!' and 'Toxicity' were completed."

Composition and lyrics

"Toxicity" is a defining track within the nu metal genre, characterized by its fusion of heavy metal, punk, and alternative rock elements. It has also been described as progressive metal, with Brendan Appleton of Kerrang! Radio arguing that "they certainly verge more towards progressive metal on this track." He challenged critics for their use of the label "nu metal" on the vast amount of artists, stating that "you'd certainly never say that Evanescence and SOAD were similar." As one of the standout songs from the album, it exemplifies the band's ability to transcend the conventions of the early-2000s Ozzfest circuit. According to Dominick Suzanne-Mayer of Consequence, System of a Down is "arguably one of the better bands to emerge during the period," with "Toxicity" standing as a testament to their artistic ambition.

The song's composition features a dynamic interplay of aggressive instrumentation and melodic hooks, driven by Daron Malakian's vision to evolve the band's sound beyond traditional heavy metal. He noted, "I liked songs like 'Aerials,' 'Toxicity,' and 'ATWA' that brought an evolution to our sound," indicating a shift towards anthemic choruses and complex arrangements that address deeper themes of societal dysfunction. The track is also notable for its intense drumming, with John Dolmayan's beat emerging from a moment of frustration during recording. This dynamic energy is particularly evident in the breakdown at the end of the song, which showcases Serj Tankian's inimitable vocals at their peak. As noted by music critic Dominick Suzanne-Mayer, "join us in going absolutely goddamn wild to that breakdown," highlighting how the song remains a powerful representation of the band's innovative spirit and impact on the nu metal genre.

Lyrically, "Toxicity" is filled with vivid imagery and cultural references. The line "eating seeds as a pastime activity" draws from Armenian culture, where snacking on roasted sunflower seeds is a common tradition. Malakian explained, "My family gets raw... a lot of Armenians do this," using this imagery to juxtapose the mundanity of life with the song's broader commentary on societal issues. Another aspect of the song is the lyric "sacred silence and sleep," which reflects a deep connection to Native American spirituality. Serj Tankian has noted that "sacred silence" alludes to the spiritual understanding within Native American cultures, serving as a state of meditation where one can find both loss and discovery. He cites inspiration from the works of Tom Brown Jr., a survivalist and author who explores Native American wisdom, emphasizing the importance of living harmoniously with nature. Tankian elaborates that the lyric encapsulates a unique moment experienced during REM sleep, where meditation and consciousness intertwine.

Music video

The video was directed by Marcos Siega and Shavo Odadjian. The beginning of the video shows the Hollywood Walk of Fame then cuts to the band. Daron Malakian can be seen wearing a Los Angeles Kings jersey with his last name on the back most of the time in the video. A closeup from behind John Dolmayan's drum kit reveals a double bass pedal attachment even though he doesn't use it during the song. During the verses, a projector shows homeless people lined against the streets. After the second chorus, Malakian is seen playing the fast riff in fast motion while the band freezes and a crowd slowly appears. The rest of the band resumes as they all come in. The crowd sings along with the band as well as forming a circle pit both in the light and in the dark with glow-sticks. Similar to a scene in the "Chop Suey" video where Serj Tankian is seen eating chop suey, the band is shown eating seeds, corresponding with the lyrics "Eating seeds as a pastime activity". The video ends with a shot of the Milky Way.

As of December 2024, the song has 987 million views on YouTube.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Serj Tankian

All lyrics are written by Serj Tankian

All lyrics are written by Serj Tankian

All lyrics are written by Serj Tankian

Charts

Certifications

Notes

1. Suzanne-Mayer, Dominick (12 September 2019). "10 Nü-Metal Songs That Don't Totally Suck". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
2. ^ Unterberger, Andrew (September 10, 2004). "Top Ten Nu-Metal Bands". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on October 9, 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
3. ^ Appleton, Brendan (December 14, 2023). "The Greatest Nu Metal Songs of All Time". Kerrang! Radio. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
4. "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs". VH1.com. MTV. 4 May 2006. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2006. #14 Toxicity, System of a Down
5. ^ "6 Things You Didn't Know About System of a Down's Song "Toxicity"". Revolver. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
6. ^ Suzanne-Mayer, Dominick (September 12, 2019). "10 Nü-Metal Songs That Don't Totally Suck: System of a Down – "Toxicity"". Consequence.
7. ^ Burton, Poppy (July 4, 2024). "System Of A Down's Serj Tankian explains the meaning of 'Toxicity' lyrics". NME. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
8. "YouTube". October 2, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2024 – via YouTube.
9. "System of a Down – Toxicity". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
10. "System of a Down – Toxicity" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
11. "Top 50 Singles". Jam!. Archived from the original on April 28, 2002. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
12. "System of a Down – Toxicity" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
13. "System of a Down – Toxicity" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
14. "Irish-charts.com – Discography System of a Down". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
15. "System of a Down – Toxicity". Swiss Singles Chart.
16. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
18. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
19. "System of a Down Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
20. "System of a Down Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
21. "System of a Down Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
22. "Danish single certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
23. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (System of a Down; 'Toxicity')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
24. "Italian single certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
25. "Portuguese single certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
26. "Spanish single certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
27. "British single certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
28. "American single certifications – System of a Down – Toxicity". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2022.

• 2001 songs
• 2002 singles
• American Recordings (record label) singles
• Music videos directed by Marcos Siega
• Song recordings produced by Rick Rubin
• Songs written by Daron Malakian
• Songs written by Serj Tankian
• System of a Down songs