System Of A Down - Mezmerize

[Blitzkrieg]

Have listened to this a bit over the last couple of days, and since there are some fans about this place I thought I would bring it up. Some great material on here, but overall I don't think it is as good as the other 2 albums though. I really do need to listen more, but my first real impression is that, in the vein of Metallica's Load/Re-Load albums, it would have benefited more if Mezmerize and Hypnotize were combined to make one stronger album.

One criticism, which I have heard a bit in a few reviews as well, is that the guitarist has started doing even more vocals. I was a fan of the vocals he does on the previous albums, and the background vocals he does on this are good too, but I think he is a bit overused here. Serj Tankian is one the best and most original vocalists in metal for years, he should be doing most of the vocals.

The sound is interesting, it is more traditional metal sounding in a way than their previous efforts, which is kind of unexpected. Not sure if I prefer it or not yet.

Highlights for anyone who wants to check it out, are the single B.Y.O.B. (easily the best song from my early impressions), Revenga, Violent Pornography, and Sad Statue. Lost In Hollywood is good too, and Malakian's vocals aren't bad on it, but I can't help but think Tankian singing would have made it a possible SOAD classic.

 

[KoichCPA]

My housemate is borrowing a copy so I can burn and see if I like it.

I will get back to you.

 

[phlogiston]

I downloaded it the other day, but I haven't listened to it yet. I also shall get back to you.

 

[The Amazer]

I've only heard BYOB and Cigaro.

BYOB sucks imo, and Cigaro was completely ruined by that guitarist. Whoever put him in front of a microphone needs to be shot. He is the whiniest fucker ever. MY COCK IS MUCH BIGGER THAN YOOUUURS. shut the fuck up.

So yeah, never been a big fan, still ain't

 

[Sydo]

I have it ripped to my iRiver.. Will I give it a spin? No.

 

[Southy]

It is more eclectic thanm the last one, and I like it when they do their eclectic stuff, but yeah Daron should stick to playing the guitar

 

[Blitzkrieg]

After listening to it a few more times last night (is a short album and all I had in my car) I actually like it a lot more. I still stand by all I said, but the other songs have grown on me more. Still not as good as Toxicity though, and Malakian is still far overused.

 

[Winmar]

I'll get around to getting this sometime. Only $20 at JB.

 

[Southy]

Malakian helped produced it, I guess he'll be on it as much as he bloody well wants to be

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Yeah, he co-produced Toxicity as well, and has progressingly been singing more on each album. Someone should tell him Serj is better.

 

[KoichCPA]

I don't think much of it.

at all.

 

[Southy]

Apprently after reading an interview over the weekend, that I was ment to read before the album came out, Serj likes the idea of the two vocal styles bouncing off each other, doesn't say anything about the Daron song he sang himself though

 

[Mark]

A friend saw them live in Brixton on the weekend - said he wasn't impressed with the new stuff live at all.

 

[Southy]

sounds good on record, I guess alot of it would be hard recreate live

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Will be interesting to see how different they are at GMM to what they were like early in the year before the album was out. They were fantastic live both times I saw them earlier in the year.

 

[Crabby]

Here's my review folks-

http://www.blastwave.org.uk/reviews/arevs/show_album_review.asp?ID=835

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Great review that I pretty much entirely agree with.