SYSTEM OF A DOWN - HYPNOTIZE (140 Gram Vinyl)

Just when it seemed that System of a Down couldn't do anything to improve on their standing as the most unique and ambitious band in the alternative metal world, they decided to drop their sprawling, Rick Rubin-produced double album by releasing each disc separately. Early 2005 saw the arrival of MESMERIZE. After that album gained significant exposure via tours, radio, and videos, the album's counterpart, HYPNOTIZE, was released in late November. The albums were recorded in the same sessions--so there is a strong sense of musical cohesion, and even the CD packages themselves are designed to fit together to form one set.
"Attack" and "Dreaming" the first songs on HYPNOTIZE, are classic System of a Down with their furious riffage, schizophrenic song structures, and the slinky, nasal vocals of lead singer Serj Tankian. The band knows how to craft a hook ("Kill Rock 'N Roll," "She's Like Her*in"), raise political consciousness ("Stealing Society" is about the Armenian genocide), and rock with the ferocity of the heaviest speed and thrash metal bands. In short, System of a Down seems capable of doing anything, and HYPNOTIZE is further, indisputable proof of that fact.

Tracklist:

Disc 1

1. Attack (Album Version) - 3:06
2. Dreaming (Album Version) - 4:00
3. Kill Rock 'N Roll (Explicit Album Version) - 2:28
4. Hypnotize (Album Version) - 3:09
5. Stealing Society (Explicit Album Version) - 2:58
6. Tentative (Album Version) - 3:37

Disc 2

1. U-Fig (Album Version) - 2:55
2. Holy Mountains (Album Version) - 5:29
3. Vicinity of Obscenity (Album Version) - 2:52
4. She's Like Her*in (Explicit Album Version) - 2:44
5. Lonely Day (Album Version) - 2:48
6. Soldier Side (Album Version) - 3:40

RMFN Notes:

"The companion of Mezmerize gets weirder in all the right ways. Hypnotize is a fantastic album filled with hooks, bizarre tempo changes, and everything you want to hear from SOAD. Sure, Daron sings a bit more on this one, but that isn't a bad thing. Lonely Day and Hypnotize are vocal peaks for Daron, as he ditches his usual comical / sarcastic tone for somber & sincere performances. Serj & the rest of the band shine as usual, especially on the heavier tracks like Attack, Vicinity of Obscenity, and Holy Mountains." - Chris