very good album.................................

December 1, 2005

By Tim Jaramillo

Politically-charged rock powerhouse SYSTEM OF A DOWN is

back with a vengeance, following up its recent album

Mezmerize with the scathing new record Hypnotize!

Hypnotize and Mezmerize are actually part of a related two

disc set, with both albums sharing similar album art, musical

direction, as well as political themes.

The album's strangely surreal artwork is courtesy of guitarist

DARON MALAKIAN's father, VARTAN MALAKIAN. And as

was the case on Mezmerize, Daron has stepped up to take a

more prominent role in the group's vocal department -- his

soaring vocals help to anchor the sometimes erratic

wanderings of SERJ TANKIAN's singing.

With their technical know-how and amazing attention to

sonic detail, System has created its own unique style of

aggressive prog-rock, which is in full force on this album,

starting with the blindingly fast intro to the first song,

"Attack."

The title track is the lead single from the album. "Hypnotize"

is one of the more restrained songs on the album, with tightly

focused vocal harmonies floating over a steady drum beat.

The somber "Lonely Day" is System's version of a ballad, with

its slow rhythm and tender lyrics. A pounding freight train

of drums rumble away under beautifully intricate vocals on

"Dreaming."

In an interesting production twist, the closing song on

Hypnotize, "Soldier Side," actually completes the first song,

"Soldier Side Intro," from Mezmerize.

Hypnotize is in stores now!

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