I've been a System of a Down fan for quite a few years, and this album is nothing short of the brilliance I expected. This band comprised of insanely talented people who know how to play some rockin' music, and do it damn well. For all of you System of a Down fans, you'll notice that Daron Malakian's (guitar) voice is included in the songs a lot more than on previous albums. Apparently he co-produced the album in addition to the added vocals, the job Serj Tankian (lead vocals) has usually taken control of. Daron Malakian is such a great guitarist it's literally unbelievable, along with his ability to write lyrics. You'll find there are a lot of songs on the new album that are exclusively written by Daron. "B.Y.O.B" is the debut single for Mezmerize, which was a very wise choice. "B.Y.O.B" carries the usual lyrics you'll find in System of a Down songs: the regular White House bashing blended with the band's personal political agenda. The thing that is really amazing about System of a Down is the way they simply don't care about people taking offense to their personal opinions that they shove in their songs. They don't hold back for anyone. "Radio/Video" is such a catchy tune I could deem it one the best new System of a Down songs of all time. The lyrics aren't very detailed, though, which surprises me coming from this band. But the addictive style of this crazy song is simply awesome. "Violent Pornography" . Hmm, I can't really go into much detail with this song, because it has some silly words that probably aren't suitable for the X96 website. Let's just say it has a kickin' beat and interesting lyrics. "Sad Statue" is probably one of my favorite songs on the whole production. Lyrics are a big part of this song, and I'd recommend paying attention to the words throughout this entire track. "You and me / We'll all go down in history / With a sad statue of liberty / And a generation that didn't agree." This track is just another prime example of how well these guys can create an album; everything just flows so well. The very last track "Lost In Hollywood" is the softest song on the album, but even with that being said, it is quite powerful in the way it paints a contemptuous image of show business. It was an awesome way to end the album and will definitely be a new System of a Down favorite. The band writes brilliant lyrics, if you get a chance to pick up this album or listen to any of the songs: look at the lyrics . Reading lyrics in any song just plain kicks ass. Lyrics rule. And Mezmerize kicks major booty.Read full review
this album seems like it takes its cues from protest rock from the 60's and 70's, but with its own twist. SOAD is known for its off key riffs and odd timing, but thats what makes this album so great. the songs range the gammut from soft ballads like "soldier side" one minute, to brutal hard pounding anthems like "byob" the very next. unlike most of thier contemporaries, SOAD's songs arent about how they want to kill themselves because they hate thier parents or thier girlfriend left them. theyre lyrics are about the dissolution of the modern soldier and thier experiences in a morally ambiguous war. some songs like "lost in hollywood" point out the lack of responsability that celebrity has in our own culture, and how young ones with stars in thier eyes are chewed up and spit out by the hollywood machine. this is more than a rock album, its a scalding look into what this country thinks is really important.Read full review
This is a fantastic album. In my opinion, this is the second best SoaD album. My order from least favorite to favorite is: Hypnotize System of a Down Steal This Album! Mezmerize Toxicity It isn't as good as Toxicity, but it's definitely up there. My ratings of the songs (10 being the best) Soldier Side - Intro: 8.5 B.Y.O.B.: 10 Revenga: 10 Cigaro: 9 Radio/Video: 10 This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song: 9.5 Violent Pornography: 10 Question!: 10 Sad Statue: 9.5 Old School Hollywood: 7.5 Lost in Hollywood: 7.5 All in all, a very good album. 10/10.
Verified purchase: No
i love systen of a down, so thats the main reason i bought this particular album, it is very good, and has many good songs on it, this album goes alo0ng with the hypnotize cd by system of a down, so now i have to get that one so i'll have the whole set, the cd's themselve's look similar, so its kind of hard to tell the differance, but on the cover of the individual cd's it says mezmerize or hypnotize, SOAD rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great record listen to it from beginning to end. Definitely need this in your collection. One of the best rock bands ever.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs