'System of a Down' History:
BiographyLike many late-'90s metal bands, System of a Down struck a balance between '80s underground thrash metal and metallic early-'90s alternative rockers like Jane's Addiction. Their dark, neo-gothic alternative metal earned a cult following in the wake of the popularity of such likeminded bands as Korn and the Deftones. Vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan formed System of a Down in southern California in the mid-'90s. They quickly earned a strong following in Los Angeles, largely based on strong word of mouth. A three-song demo began circulating through metal collectors, and their fan base soon spread throughout not only America, but Europe and New Zealand. By the end of 1997, the group had signed to American, then distributed by Columbia Records. American/Columbia released the group's eponymous debut album in the summer of 1998, securing the band opening spots on the Slayer and Ozzfest tours. System eventually went gold, and set up the September 2001 release of the even more ambitious Toxicity. System's second effort was another heavy music triumph, shaming the majority of their nu metal competition and running away with multi-platinum honors. The quartet didn't slow down. Malakian started the eatURmusic imprint and Tankian a label called Serjical Strike; Tankian also collaborated with Armenian avant-garde folk musician Arto Tuncboyaciyan in a project called Serart. In November 2002 System issued the bare-bones but no less powerful odds 'n' ends set Steal This Album!; they also remained politically active. By 2004 System of a Down were back in the studio with Rick Rubin. The bold result of those sessions was a single, epic album released in two parts. Mezmerize/Hypnotize kept System's furious creativity alive, incorporating the wild vocal melodies, lyrical passion, and rabid structural shifts that had become their trademark. Mezmerize, or part one, appeared in May 2005, while Hypnotize, its final section, appeared later in the year, and both hit the top of the album charts. source: http://www.systemofadown.com/ |
May 2006 HiatusIn May of 2006, the band announced they were going on hiatus. Daron Malakian has confirmed the break will probably last a few years, but insists that the band is not splitting up. He told MTV, "We're not breaking up. If that was the case, we wouldn't be doing this Ozzfest. We're going to take a very long break after Ozzfest and do our own things. source: Wikipedia |
System of a Down Discography:
| Release Title and date | |
 | Hypnotize 2005 |
 | Mezmerize 2005 |
 | Steal This Album! 2002 |
 | Toxicity 2001 |
 | System of a Down 1998 |
| 03-27-02 | london, england | |
| 2002 - steal this album | |
| 2005-05-11 | |
| 25 super hits |
| Aerials | |
| aerials (single) | |
| alternative collection | |
| B-side | |
| b-sides | |
| b.y.o.b. ep | |
| back to you (rochester 2000) | |
| behind the scenes | |
| Bestseller | |
| Bonus Pack |
| chop suey | |
| chop suey cd single | |
| chop suey! | |
| chop suey! (single) | |
| chop suey! [single] | |
| Complete Mix of an Album | |
| defy you | |
| deluxe collection | |
| down under | |
| hand |
| hold up in antwerpen (live in antwerpen 23 may 2002) | |
| hynotize vlaue added | |
| hypnatize | |
| hypnotize cds | |
| hypnotize teaser | |
| in memorium of 1915 | |
| inédits | |
| innervision | |
| johnny | |
| know your enemy |
| Lonely Day | |
| Lonely Day (maxi) | |
| lonely day - maxi | |
| maximum system of a down | |
| mesmerize | |
| mesmerize (+ bonus tracks) | |
| mesmerize (advance) | |
| mesmerized | |
| Mezmerize | |
| mezmerize & hypnotize |
| Mine | |
| mix | |
| mixed stuff | |
| more toxicity (bonus cd) | |
| music box | |
| one night in france | |
| poopie | |
| post hypnotic suggestions | |
| promo cd single (from the album toxicity) | |
| question! |
| selftitled | |
| souls 2004 (live recording) | |
| spiders | |
| steal this abulm | |
| steal this album | |
| steal this album + b-sides | |
| steal this album + other rarities | |
| steal this album! (2 in 1) | |
| steel this album | |
| still album |
| the best of | |
| the essential (cd 1) | |
| the essential (cd 2) | |
| the millenium collection (bonus pack) | |
| the rarities | |
| the toxic demos | |
| toxic avengers | |
| toxic city | |
| toxic traxx [bootleg] | |
| toxiccity |
| toxicitity | |
| toxicity | |
| toxicity (cd2) | |
| toxicity (custom) | |
| toxicity (jts edit) | |
| toxicity (single) | |
| toxicity (with bonus tracks) | |
| toxicity + debut | |
| toxicity + steal this album | |
| toxicity +3 |
| toxicity 2 | |
| toxicity bonus disc | |
| toxicity extra song | |
| toxicity ii | |
| toxicity maxi | |
| toxicity [bonus tracks] | |
| toxicity(bonus tracks) | |
| toxictiy | |
| track system | |
| transpiration |
| unreleased, live & rare vol. 3 | |
| untitled | |
| untitled advance | |
| untitled unmastered advance |
