1998 studio album by System of a Down
System of a Down Released June 30, 1998 (1998-06-30 ) Studio Genre Length 40 :36 Label Producer "Sugar " Released: May 24, 1998 "Spiders " Released: February 10, 1999
System of a Down is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down , released on June 30, 1998 by American Recordings and Columbia Records . The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 2000. After the success of the band's following album, Toxicity (2001), System of a Down was certified platinum and has since gone double platinum.[4]
Composition [ edit ] The album is generally considered nu metal and alternative metal , both of which would become staples for the band. Lyrical themes throughout the album vary, with many songs following a theme of being anti-war, but also has topics of genocide , religion , and brainwashing . "Suite-Pee" is a criticism of pedophilia within the Church and religious extremism .[5] "Soil" is, according to guitarist Daron Malakian at a Lowlands show, "about death, and friends that die, and life that dies". "Mind" talks about government mind control, specifically mentioning CIA brainwashing in the album's liner notes. "P.L.U.C.K." is a song dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide , and is meant to be a criticism and denouncing of the Turkish Government .
Artwork [ edit ] The cover artwork is from a 1928 anti-fascist poster designed by visual artist John Heartfield for the Communist Party of Germany .[4] The text on the original poster is: "A hand has 5 fingers! With these 5 grab the enemy!"[6] This slogan inspired part of the text contained on the back of the album: "The hand has five fingers, capable and powerful, with the ability to destroy as well as create". Later, it is written in bold letters: "Open your eyes, open your mouths, close your hands and make a fist" (used later by Serj Tankian in the song "Uneducated Democracy").
Reception [ edit ] System of a Down received acclaim from music critics.[14] Q called it "an excellent starting point for this most curious band".[11]
The album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die .[15] Loudwire included the album in its list of The Best Metal Debut Albums , at number 22.[16]
Track listing [ edit ] Original release [ edit ] All lyrics written by Serj Tankian , except where noted. All music written by Daron Malakian , except where noted.
Title Lyrics Music 1. "Suite-Pee" 2:31 2. "Know" Shavo Odadjian , Malakian, Tankian2:56 3. "Sugar " Odadjian, Malakian 2:33 4. "Suggestions" 2:44 5. "Spiders " 3:35 6. "DDevil" Odadjian, Malakian 1:43 7. "Soil" 3:25 8. "War?" 2:40 9. "Mind" Odadjian, Malakian, Tankian 6:16 10. "Peephole" 4:06 11. "CUBErt" Tankian, Malakian 1:50 12. "Darts" 2:42 13. "P.L.U.C.K." (Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers) 3:33 Total length: 40:36
Japanese edition bonus tracks Title 14. "Marmalade" 3:02 15. "Störagéd" 1:19 Total length: 44:57
Limited edition bonus CD [ edit ] Title Music 1. "Sugar" (Live) Odadjian, Malakian 2:27 2. "War?" (Live) 2:48 3. "Suite-Pee" (Live) 2:58 4. "Know" (Live) Odadjian, Malakian, Tankian 3:04 Total length: 13:17
An early version of "X" from Toxicity was originally recorded for this album.[17] The songs "Honey" and "Temper" from Demo Tape 2 were also recorded for this album but ultimately did not make the cut. The re-recorded versions of these songs have yet to surface anywhere.[18] [19] Personnel [ edit ] System of a Down
Production
Produced by Rick Rubin with System of a Down Mixed by D. Sardy Engineered by Sylvia Massy Engineer/assistant engineer: Greg Fidelman Additional recording/finishing Touches: D. Sardy Assistant engineers: Sam Storey, Nick Raskulinecz Assistant mixdown engineers: James Saez, Greg Gordon, Andy Haller Second assistant mixdown engineer: Bryan Davis Extra piano by Rick Rubin Photography: Anthony Artiaga Cover art: John Heartfield Art direction: Frank Harkins & System of a Down A&R direction: Dino Paredes, Sam Wick Management: Velvet Hammer Management, David Benveniste Recorded at Sound City, Van Nuys, California Vocals and additional recordings at Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research, Hollywood, California Mixed at Record Plant Studios , Hollywood, California & Hollywood Sound, California Mastered by Vlado Meller at Sony Studios, New York City Charts and certifications [ edit ] Weekly charts [ edit ] Year-end charts [ edit ] Sales and certifications [ edit ]
References [ edit ] ^ Burgess, Aaron (September 9, 2014). "10 Nu-Metal Albums You Need to Own" . Revolvermag . NewBay Media. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2015 . Technically spotless, wildly eclectic, and out-outspokenly, er, Armenian, System of a Down's 1998 self-titled debut turned more nu-metal on its ear; and with this darker and more streamlined follow-up, the band proved that it was more than just a novelty–though spastic lead single "Chop Suey" is still one of the most awesomely bizarre songs to ever get repeated play on the radio. [dead link ] ^ "The 50 best nu metal albums of all time" . April 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022 . ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas . "System of a Down – System of a Down" . AllMusic . Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2010 . ^ a b "17 Years Ago: System of a Down Release Self-Titled Debut Album" . Loudwire.com . Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016 . ^ "System of a Down's Daron Malakian Dishes on Politics and Religion" . Loudwire . Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021 . ^ "John Heartfield Poster - Five Fingers Has The Hand" . Johnheartfield.com . Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016 . ^ Webb, Jody (October 1, 1998). "CoC : System of a Down - System of a Down : Review" . Chronicles of Chaos . Retrieved April 25, 2024 . ^ Nettleton, Chris (April 21, 2003). "Album Review: System of a Down – System of a Down" . Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019 . ^ Perry, Neil (September 19, 1998). "Albums". Kerrang! . No. 717. EMAP . p. 44. ^ Ruggeri, Kevin. "System of a Down: System of a Down" . Pitchfork . Archived from the original on October 3, 2000. Retrieved August 15, 2019 . ^ a b "System of a Down: System of a Down". Q . No. 182. October 2001. p. 152. ^ Harris, Keith (2004). "System of a Down". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster . pp. 800 . ISBN 0-7432-0169-8 . ^ Hanson, John (August 19, 2006). "System of a Down – System of a Down" . Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2011 . ^ "System of a Down: Armenian Metal Proprietors" . Musiclegendtrend.com . March 12, 2013. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016 . ^ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (March 23, 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition . Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2 . ^ Hartmann, Graham. "No. 22: System of a Down, 'System of a Down' – Best Debut Metal Albums" . Loudwire . Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019 . ^ Moss, Corey (June 21, 2002). "SYSTEM OF A DOWN TO RELEASE TOXICITY OUTTAKES" . MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022 . ^ "r/systemofadown - Honey and Temper Re-Recorded versions on Limewire?" . Reddit . August 5, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019 . ^ "ACE Repertory" . www.ascap.com . Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2019 . ^ "System Of A Down - System Of A Down" . Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ "System Of A Down - System Of A Down" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System Of Life" . Zobbel. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ "System of a down Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ "System of a down Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)" . Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ "System of a Down Chart History - Catalog Albums" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 . ^ "System of a Down Chart History - Top Alternative Albums" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 . ^ "System of a Down Chart History - Top Hard Rock Albums" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 . ^ "System of a Down Chart History - Tastemaker Albums" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 . ^ "System of a Down Chart History - Vinyl Albums" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 . ^ "System of a Down Chart History - Top Rock" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023 . ^ "System of a down Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ a b "System of a down Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)" . Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ a b "System of a down Chart History (Alternative Airplay)" . Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021 . ^ "Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)" . Jam! . Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022 . ^ "Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002" . Jam! . Archived from the original on December 4, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022 . ^ "Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002" . Jam! . Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022 . ^ "Brazilian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . ^ "Canadian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" . Music Canada . ^ "Italian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved July 22, 2019 . ^ "British album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" . British Phonographic Industry . ^ "American album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" . Recording Industry Association of America . External links [ edit ]
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