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System of a Down
Hypnotize
(Sony-BMG)
Ironically, they've left us wanting more.
Remember that Hypnotize is actually the second part of the same recording sessions that yielded Mezmerize earlier this year -- still standing as the best heavy metal album of 2005, by the way.
They could have put out a double album, but decided to split it up because "attention spans are short." They failed to mention that it's also a brilliant marketing move that should sell twice as many records.
Do the math: Anyone who bought Mezmerize will buy Hypnotize and I'm sure no one will be disappointed.
The sequel certainly contains its share of wild and crazy moments. The opening Attack does just that. Kill Rock 'n' Roll with its meth-induced Greek linedance feel ironically brings rock 'n' roll back to life. The really out there Vicinity of Obscenity asks a compelling question: "Do we all learn defeat from the whores with bad feet?"
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The band's frenetic fusion of death metal, politics and haunting Eastern European folk music rendered in lovely two-part harmonies continues apace.
In the saggy middle section of the album -- the wan Tentative, the sludgy Holy Mountains, the whiny and grammatically incorrect Lonely Day ("the most loneliest day of my life") -- one can detect a whiff of rot in the System of a Down formula.
It goes like this: Blistering intro, drop to the melodic-mellow verse, hit the driving chorus and kick in the two-part harmony -- as much a secret weapon of this band as it was in Alice In Chains -- evoke the old country and cue political diatribe.
Which brings me to another complaint. Zappa-like singer Serj Tankian said, "The fact that journalists have so made us into a political band, it's forcing us to be apolitical in some ways as a reaction to it," which is like Dylan going on 60 Minutes to deny he's the voice of a generation.
Guys, it's not up to you. Besides, System of a Down is even more political here than it was on Mezmerize. Images of bombs falling, death, liars and demons abound, plus a suggestion to beat and then eat "all flag-waving ignorant geeks."
Some of it sounds a bit indignant and humourless, with the potential to get preachy -- which is death when you're a political rock band.
Overall, there may be an ulterior motive for which songs made which record -- maybe some of them just weren't good enough to make Mezmerize. Of course, Hypnotize is still better than 90% of the mainstream metal out there.
Like I said, give us more!
Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Attack
2. Dreaming
3. Kill Rock 'N Roll
4. Hypnotize
5. Stealing Society
6. Tentative
7. U-Fig
8. Holy Mountains
9. Vicinity of Obscenity
10. She's Like Heroin
11. Lonely Day
12. Soldier Side
Disc 2:
1. Attack [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
2. Dreaming [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
3. Kill Rock 'N Roll [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
4. Hypnotize [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
5. Stealing Society [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
6. Tentative [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
7. U-Fig [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
8. Holy Mountains [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
9. Vicinity of Obscenity [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
10. She's Like Heroin [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
11. Lonely Day [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
12. Soldier Side [Enhanced Stereo] [DVD]
13. Bonus Material [DVD]