Toxicity: the 20th Anniversary
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Jan. 1, 2021, 4:10 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
This year is the 20th anniversary of Toxicity, the second album by American alternative metal band System of a Down, a milestone whose significance cannot be overstated. SOAD's eponymous debut album was, unquestionably, an amazing album, but it was this album that elevated them to worldwide fame and established their reputation as a band of great talent and importance.
SOAD clearly was inspired by Rage Against the Machine to include strong social and political themes in their lyrics as they held back nothing in their criticisms of and attacks on the prison system, the education system, wealth inequality, environmental pollution, and various others aspects of the institution, combined with amazing musicianship and an esoteric style that was uniquely their own. Not since Cowboys from Hell by Pantera, released eleven years earlier, did a heavy metal album have such an enormous and immediate impact upon the music scene, and I believe that it is safe to say that this album solidified SOAD's status as second only to Godsmack as one of the leaders of the alternative metal movement of the new millennium.
What does everyone else say about this? What do you think about this year being the 20th anniversary of Toxicity?
On a side note, Nekrogoblikon has covered "Chop Suey".
January 2, 2021 12:18 a.m.
The album is still solid. Hopefully the band can get over themselves and get together and make new music. The stuff we got recently is fucking phenomenal
January 2, 2021 11:42 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #5
shadow63, yes, I understand that feeling, because SOAD previously had not released any new material since 2005 (coincidentally, the same year in which I graduated from high school; wow, I now feel old), so, when I learned that they had released two new songs, I was thrilled, so I do hope that they can actually write an entire album's worth of material, in the near future.
January 2, 2021 11:50 a.m.
Ender666666 says... #6
SOAD were and are a monumental band for me, for a lot of reasons. Sonically, they were unlike anyone else, which immediately made the listener stand up and take notice that something different... Something special was unfolding before your ears. Although it's sad that they haven't released much music in the last 10 years, I'm glad they didn't sacrifice their artistic values and release a junk album full of crap songs, just for money. I'll never ever forget being able to hear them before everyone else around me (I was on their street team, handing out demo cassettes and VHS copies of their video for W.A.R). The first time I saw them live, they were opening for Slayer. I ended up missing everything after their set, because I got to party with the band in their dressing room! So many great memories... Serj and the band even signed my senior yearbook!
January 2, 2021 4:23 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Ender666666, it is interesting that SOAD once opened for Slayer, since I read somewhere that they chose to have their band's name start with the letter "S," specifically so that they would be close to Slayer in music stores or any other place that lists artists alphabetically by name. Also, that is very awesome that you worked in close association with them and have their signatures; I hope that you still have that yearbook!
BigRed907 says... #2
SOAD was a staple for me growing up. I remember buying Toxicity when I was 13 and putting it in the CD player in my dad’s truck, he wasn’t pleased to say the least, he is a classic rock and country kind of guy. Mezmerize had just come out and my brother made me a mixed cd of it and I played those two albums more than any other albums I had combined. “They’re trying to build a prison...” I agree with your take on them, Toxicity solidified them for sure, and in my opinion they only got better.
January 1, 2021 6:21 p.m.