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System Of A Down: Mezmerize

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  • System Of A Down: Mezmerize

    New Zealand Herald, New Zealand
    May 22 2005

    System Of A Down: Mezmerize


    by Rebecca Barry
    (Herald rating: * * * * *)

    Listening to Mezmerize makes you think of a Matrix film - it's faster
    and more violent than most, and although the thrills are primitive,
    the underlying messages are not. Let's hope that unlike the films,
    when fourth album Hypnotize is released in six months it will live
    up to its predecessor - this is their best yet.

    SOAD haven't strayed from the staccato-riffery of Toxicity, or from the
    schizo-comedy that sees them chopping and changing time signatures,
    or singer Serj Tankian giving a hammy performance. But they've cut
    the fat and taken more liberties.

    Take BYOB (Bring Your Own Bombs), a heavy protest against the Iraq
    war that breaks into a cheerily sarcastic singalong: "Dancing in the
    desert, blowing up the sunshine." Or Question!, which weaves elements
    of their Armenian heritage into a bombardment of guitars.

    Tankian's views haven't softened. In Violent Pornography: "Everybody
    sucks, everybody dies."

    Too much anger is directed at obvious themes - Hollywood, for instance
    - but creative delivery makes up for it. Like a certain blockbuster,
    you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout.
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