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System Of A Down - Mezmerize

The fourth album from System of a Down is the first release of a sort of two part album. Since "Steal This Album", they have amounted enough material to fill two whole albums and have decided to release "Mezmerize" as of July this year, and to follow it up with "Hypnotize" sometime in October.

"Mezmerize" sees a slight change from the all out thrashing that the previous albums have deliverd. Instead, they have allowed their Armenian roots to influence melodies throughtout the album. "Radio / Video" is a great example of this with an alternating heavy chorus and off beat eastern riff. In general, the album has featured some great melody and is an example of Daron Malakian experimenting with some new sounds. "Lost In Hollywood" features a an almost Radiohead type feel to the first part, and Daron’’s vocals, like on many of the other tracks, play more of a leading role and not just a backing to Serj.

"Violent Pornography" features an almost rapped verse, again combining the heavy riffing for the chorus.

B.Y.O.B is an excellent track with some pounding riffs and some good vocal harmonies. Equally, "Cigaro" (a track leaked / released earlier in the year) "Sad Statue", "Revenga", and "This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I”m On This Song" will not disappoint System Of A Down fans - full of heavy riffs, and quirky lyrics.

"Old School Hollywood" has a Marylin Manson feel about it (the main verse riffs, not the vocals!), some interesting effects, and a nice thrash type ending.

Overall, I think this is a great album, and a step upwards from the last albums yet it still delivers that heavy drop C riffing that we all know System for. If you liked their last albums, I would recommend this and urge you to grab the second part (so to speak) when "Hypnotize" is released in October.

Buy this now from: amazon.co.uk