System of a Down
Toxicity (2001)

review by: Matthew Scrivner
Date: 9/7/01

Ok, this album gets a big wow, especially since I don't really like thrash metal. But see, no matter what the record company would like to tell their target market (presumably males 15-25 who feel anti-social rebellious angst and wear lots of black and have more than one tatoo and possibly sensitive personal body parts pierced) this is really not thrash metal. Secretly it's really decent and musical and complex. I mean, how many thrash bands sing in harmony and include acoustic guitars and armenian musical instruments? How many thrash bands have lyrics about class warfare and the way science has failed us spiritually?

Ok, don't get me wrong, this is absolutely not politico-rock. These guys aren't raging against any machines, and the ideas behind the songs seem more philosophical and personal than preachy and political, but the ridiculous darkness. And don't get me wrong, this music still is very loud with lots of distortion and angry power chords and kicks much traditionally metal ass. But it does so uniquely and without alot of the cliche.