Rating:
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 06/30/1998

System of a Down's self-titled major-label debut finds the Los Angeles band consolidating its gothic alt-metal, sharpening its deadly riffs, strengthening its brutal rhythms, and adding muscle to its attack. The band differentiates itself from the legions of Southern Californian alt-metalheads by emphasizing its Armenian musical heritage, which gives the music an eerie, otherworldly quality. Part of the success of System of a Down lies with producer Rick Rubin, who helps give the band focus, but ultimately the record works because of the band itself, since they have contributed a set of strong songs that illustrates this is a band that relies on smarts as well as sound.

~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Average Review:   Number of reviews: 1

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  Poisonous Froads from Purgatory, FL
NOT NU METAL
()/10 Suite-Pee:Fast-paced, almost offensive, and heavy as he11.10 Know:Awesome drums, speed-bass, and muffed vocals.10 Sugar:Their 1st single, heavy, and melodius screaming.10 Suggestions:Strange,soft-INTENSE!10 Spiders:2nd single,meaningful, bass-y, and soft-loud.9 Ddevil:Originally a poem by the frontman+distored guitars.10 Soil:About the suicide of Tankian's friend, reeking feeling.10 War?:3rd single, anti-war, and fast.10 Mind:Bassy and heavy, but too slow.8 Peephole:Heavy but a little too weird.8 Cubert:High guitars lead to most awesome drum part EVER.10 Darts:Steady, low-srung guitars lead to thrash.10 P.L.U.C.K.:About the Armenian Genocide, heavy, and pretty sad.:'( 10

Sylvia Massy - Engineer
Vladimir Meller - Mastering
Rick Rubin - Piano
Rick Rubin - Producer
Dave Sardy - Engineer
Dave Sardy - Mixing
Greg Gordon - Mixing Assistant
Greg Fidelman - Engineer
Greg Fidelman - Assistant Engineer
Bryan Davis - Mixing Assistant
Frank Harkins - Art Direction
James Saez - Mixing Assistant
Nick Raskulinecz - Assistant Engineer
Anthony Artiaga - Photography
System of a Down - Main Performer
System of a Down - Art Direction
Daron Malakian - Guitar
Daron Malakian - Vocals (Background)
Shavo Odadjian - Bass
Serj Tankian - Keyboards
Serj Tankian - Vocals
Serj Tankian - Sampling
Andy Haller - Mixing Assistant
John Heartfield - Cover Art
Sam Story - Assistant Engineer
John Dolmayan - Drums
Eric "Statik" Anest - Noise

The More Things Change
    Machine Head / CD / 1997
Chamber Music
    Coal Chamber / CD / 1999
The Battle of Los Angeles
    Rage Against the Machine / CD / 1999

Release Date: 06/30/1998
Genre: rock