This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 204.60.249.170 (talk) at 02:10, 7 January 2006 (→History, style and influences). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 02:10, 7 January 2006 by 204.60.249.170 (talk) (→History, style and influences)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| System of a Down | |
|---|---|
| File:Systempress2.gif | |
| Background information | |
| Years active | 1995 – present |
| Members | Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Shavo Odadjian John Dolmayan |
System of a Down (sometimes referred to as S.O.A.D. or System) is a band from Los Angeles, California. The band consists of Serj Tankian (vocals, keyboards), John Dolmayan (drums), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals) and Shavo Odadjian (bass), who are known more for the outspoken social and political views found in their songs than for their distinctive dress styles and goatees. All four members are of Armenian ancestry.
!<THERE-IS-NO-SYSTEM>!
--{D3FT0NE}
Nu metal or not?
There is some contention over the band's genre, regarding whether or not they are nu metal, which can carry negative connotations, or heavy metal.
System of a Down have been labeled as 'nu metal' by some fans and media since their incarnation. This can be attributed to the release of their first album, which occurred during the nu metal boom of the mid-to-late 90s. Adding to this, the band toured with Ozzfest - a festival that typically features many up-and-coming nu metal bands. Their music features guitar solos, in the intro as well as solos, a common trait of traditional metal bands.
Those who do not believe the nu metal label can be ascribed to the band argue that there is no rapping or turntables used in any of their songs. Such hip-hop influences are typical - if not defining - traits of nu metal.
Furthermore, the band does not consider themselves to be nu metal. Guitarist Daron Malakian has said in a Guitar World interview that he is glad that System of a Down had not slipped into the nu metal genre. During a 2005 concert, he announced, "They used to call us nü-metal, now they call us prog rock. I think they'll call us anything that's popular."
Also in a 2005 interview with the Houston Press, Daron said, "Lately, we've been doing interviews, and people have been like, 'You guys are really leading the way for the new prog movement,' and I'm like, 'What?' Because a couple of years ago, these guys were comparing us to Limp Bizkit and Korn, and now that we're still here and those bands aren't, they're talking about prog. It's just kind of aggravating that people always have to have something to compare us to, or bunch us up with. I'm not saying we're the most original band in the world, but I don't really feel that we fall into a heavy-metal category or a pure rock category. There's a lot of stuff mixed up into one."
In conclusion, the closest definition one could apply to their sound, is that of alternative metal.
Members
- Serj Tankian - Vocals, Keyboards, Samples & Guitar
- Daron Malakian - Guitar & Vocals
- Shavo Odadjian - Bass & Vocals
- John Dolmayan - Drums
Previous members
Discography
Albums
- System of a Down (June 30, 1998) American, Columbia, #124 US (Certified Platinum)
- Toxicity (September 4, 2001) American, Columbia, #1 US (Certified 4x Platinum), #1 Canada, #13 UK
- Steal This Album! (November 26, 2002) American, Columbia, #15 US (Certified Platinum), #56 UK
- Mezmerize (May 17, 2005) American, Columbia, #1 US (Certified Platinum), #2 UK, #1 Australia, #1 Canada
- Hypnotize (November 22, 2005) American, Columbia, #1 US (Certified Platinum), #1 Canada, #11 UK, #3 Australia
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 1998 | "Sugar" | - | #31 | #28 | - | System of a Down |
| 1999 | "Spiders" | - | #38 | #25 | - | System of a Down |
| 2000 | "War?" | - | - | - | - | System of a Down |
| 2000 | "Metro" | - | - | - | - | Dracula 2000 |
| 2001 | "Chop Suey!" | #76 | #7 | #12 | #17 | Toxicity |
| 2002 | "Toxicity" | #70 | #3 | #10 | #25 | Toxicity |
| 2002 | "Aerials" | #55 | #1 | #1 | #34 | Toxicity |
| 2003 | "Innervision" | - | #12 | #14 | - | Steal This Album! |
| 2003 | "Boom!" | - | -#17 | - | - | Steal This Album! |
| 2003 | "I-E-A-I-A-I-O" | - | - | - | - | Steal This Album! |
| 2005 | "B.Y.O.B." | #27 | #4 | #4 | - | Mezmerize |
| 2005 | "Question!" | - | #9 | #7 | #41 | Mezmerize |
| 2005 | "Hypnotize" | #60 | #2 | #6 | #48 | Hypnotize |
Singles Found In Video Game Soundtracks
- Shimmy (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4)
- Science (ATV Offroad Fury 2)
Music videos
- "Sugar" from System of a Down (1998) Directed by Nathan Cox
- "Spiders" from System of a Down (1999) Directed by Charlie Deaux
- "War?" from System of a Down (2000)
- "Chop Suey!" from Toxicity (2001) Directed by Marcos Siega
- "Aerials" from Toxicity (2002) Directed by Shavo Odadjian
- "Toxicity" from Toxicity (2002) Directed by Shavo Odadjian and Marcos Siega
- "Boom!" from Steal This Album! (2003) Directed by Michael Moore
- "B.Y.O.B." from Mezmerize (2005) Directed by Jake Nava
- "Question!" from Mezmerize (2005) Directed by Shavo Odadjian and Howard Greenhalgh
- "Hypnotize" from Hypnotize (2005) Directed by Shavo Odadjian and Kris Naylor
External links
Official websites
Fan websites
Other related links
- System of a Down featured on Yahoo! Music's artist of the month page
- Template:Dmoz
- An interview with Serj dated July 2005
- A System of a Down lyrics collection
- Another System of a Down lyrics collection
- System of a down information, lyrics, news, tabs
- System of a Down Lyrics
- System of a Down "Hypnotize" E-card