Mezmerize
Mezmerize | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio albumby | ||||
Released | May 17, 2005 | |||
Recorded | June–November 2004 | |||
Studio | The Mansionand Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research Studios,Los Angeles, California | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 36:06 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
System of a Downchronology | ||||
| ||||
SinglesfromMezmerize | ||||
Mezmerizeis the fourth studio album by the Americanheavy metalbandSystem of a Down,released on May 17, 2005, byAmerican RecordingsandColumbia Records.Upon its release, the album received acclaim from critics. The album sold over 450,000 copies in its first week (over 200,000 more thanToxicitydid), and immediately topped theBillboard200.[6]
At a length of just over 36 minutes,Mezmerizeis the band's shortest studio album.
Background
[edit]MezmerizeandHypnotizeare considered two parts of a double album.Mezmerizefeatures guitaristDaron Malakiansharing most of the vocal work with vocalistSerj Tankian,splitting the vocals at least halfway on many of the tracks.
Malakian wrote "Old School Hollywood" after playing in a celebrity baseball game for charity. The song mentionsTony DanzaandFrankie Avalon,who also played in the game.[7]
In "Radio/Video", there are lines referring to two people named Danny and Lisa. Malakian commented on the song toRevolvermagazine:
"My neighbors were Danny and Lisa, who I sing about in" Radio/Video "with System — they had that record [Paul Stanley's 1978 solo album] and it ended up at my apartment. I would listen to that record all the time. I first sawKissat a relative's house. They were older teenagers and had Kiss all over the walls in their bedrooms. I remember being so afraid of Kiss, and it just stuck. Kiss started the metal attitude, metal theatrics and metal fashion — they contributed to that a lot. I was listening to that album in my car with my girlfriend a few months back. When I put it on, I said: 'This album is extremely special to me.' "
In the same interview, Daron Malakian talked about the "non-stop disco" lines in "Violent Pornography":
"I've always been a huge fan of disco music through my life. We have a song called 'Violent Pornography' in System of a Down, and the lyrics are: 'It's a non-stop disco/Betcha didn't know/Betcha didn't know…' That line means, 'I love disco, betcha didn't know.' That has nothing to do with the rest of the song, by the way."[8]
The Japanese version of the album contains alternate mixes of "Soldier Side (Intro)" and "Lost in Hollywood", the former with additional strings and the latter containing slightly different background vocals, while "Cigaro" as a bonus track on the single for "B.Y.O.B."contains a 4-stick hit intro not present in the retail version. The album artwork is done by Vartan Malakian, the father of Daron Malakian.
Reception
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 85/100[9] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [10] |
Blabbermouth.net | [11] |
Drowned in Sound | 8/10[12] |
Entertainment Weekly | A−[13] |
People | [4] |
Pitchfork | 7.1/10[14] |
PopMatters | 9/10[15] |
Rolling Stone | [16] |
Stylus | B−[17] |
Uncut | [18] |
Mezmerizewas acclaimed by critics, scoring 85 out of 100 onMetacriticbased on 19 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[9]The album debuted at number one in at least 12 countries,[19]including the USBillboard200,with 453,000 copies,[20]and has since been certified double platinum by theRIAA.The hit single "B.Y.O.B." won aGrammy Awardin 2006 for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Track listing
[edit]All music written byDaron Malakian,except "Question!", written by Malakian andSerj Tankian.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Soldier Side - Intro" | Malakian | 1:04 |
2. | "B.Y.O.B." | Malakian, Tankian | 4:15 |
3. | "Revenga" | Malakian, Tankian | 3:48 |
4. | "Cigaro" | Malakian, Tankian | 2:11 |
5. | "Radio/Video" | Malakian | 4:09 |
6. | "This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song" | Malakian, Tankian | 2:08 |
7. | "Violent Pornography" | Malakian | 3:31 |
8. | "Question!" | Tankian | 3:20 |
9. | "Sad Statue" | Malakian, Tankian | 3:25 |
10. | "Old School Hollywood" | Malakian | 2:56 |
11. | "Lost in Hollywood" | Malakian | 5:20 |
Total length: | 36:06 |
Personnel
[edit]System of a Down
- Serj Tankian– vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar on "Question!" (uncredited)
- Daron Malakian– vocals, guitars, bass (uncredited)[21][22]
- Shavo Odad gian– bass
- John Dolmayan– drums, percussion
Vocals
- "Soldier Side" - Intro: Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian (both main)
- "B.Y.O.B.": Tankian (main), Malakian (second voice)
- "Revenga": Tankian (main), Malakian (second voice)
- "Cigaro": Tankian (main), Malakian (second voice)
- "Radio/Video": Malakian and Tankian (both main)
- "This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on this Song": Tankian
- "Violent Pornography": Malakian and Tankian (both main)
- "Question!": Tankian (main), Malakian (backing vocals)
- "Sad Statue": Malakian and Tankian (both main)
- "Old School Hollywood": Malakian and Tankian (both main)
- "Lost in Hollywood": Malakian (main) and Tankian (second voice)
Production
|
Additional personnel
|
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF)[68] | Gold | 20,000^ |
Australia (ARIA)[69] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Austria (IFPIAustria)[70] | Gold | 15,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[71] | Gold | 25,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[72] | Gold | 50,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[73] | 3× Platinum | 300,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[74] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[75] | Platinum | 33,068[75] |
France (SNEP)[76] | Gold | 100,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[77] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
Greece (IFPI Greece)[34] | Gold | 10,000^ |
Ireland (IRMA)[78] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[79] sales since 2009 |
Gold | 25,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[80] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPISwitzerland)[81] | Gold | 20,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[82] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[83] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
*Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
[edit]- ^Lemeshow-Barooshian, Rae (January 8, 2019)."Top 50 Best Nu-Metal Albums of All-Time".Loudwire.Archivedfrom the original on August 18, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 10,2019.
- ^Blumenfeld, Zach (November 18, 2014)."Nine Years Later, System of a Down Still" Mezmerizes "Me".WRVU.Archivedfrom the original on January 11, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 11,2019.
- ^"On 'Mezmerize', System of a Down pushed nu-metal to its limits".Archivedfrom the original on October 17, 2022.RetrievedOctober 17,2022.
- ^abArnold, Chuck (June 27, 2005)."Picks and Pans Review: System of a Down (Mezmerize) ".People.Archived fromthe originalon October 19, 2014.RetrievedAugust 25,2013.
- ^"Legends of the Fall".Spin.21(9): 24. September 2005.RetrievedSeptember 17,2024.
- ^Harris, Chris (May 25, 2005)."System Of A Down Top Billboard With Mezmerize".MTV News.MTV. Archived fromthe originalon January 26, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 26,2023.
- ^Moss, Corey (2007)."System of a Down: Doubleheader".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 7,2015.
- ^"System of a Down and Scars on Broadway's Daron Malakian: The Albums That Made Me".Revolver.July 25, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on August 10, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2018.
- ^ab"Mezmerize by System Of A Down".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2012.RetrievedDecember 22,2016.
- ^Loftus, Johnny."Mezmerize - System of a Down | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on July 10, 2020.RetrievedApril 4,2020.
- ^"Mezmerize - SYSTEM OF A DOWN".May 15, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2018.RetrievedDecember 22,2016.
- ^"Album Review: System Of A Down - Mezmerize".Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2016.RetrievedDecember 22,2016.
- ^Sinclair, Tom (May 16, 2005)."Mezmerize Review".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on August 14, 2009.RetrievedNovember 30,2009.
- ^Byrom, Cory (November 21, 2005)."System Of A Down: Mezmerize".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on March 19, 2009.RetrievedNovember 21,2005.
- ^Begrand, Adrien (May 25, 2005)."System Of A Down: Mezmerize".PopMatters.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2011.RetrievedNovember 30,2009.
- ^Fricke, David (June 2, 2005)."System of a Down: Mezmerize".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon April 28, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 29,2012.
- ^Pemberton, Rollie (July 22, 2005)."System Of A Down: Mezmerize".Stylus Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon March 29, 2009.RetrievedNovember 30,2009.
- ^Confirms System Of A Down as one of the most innovative bands in modern rock. [Jun 2005, p.110]
- ^Records, Columbia."System Of A Down Mezmerizes Music Fans Worldwide".Archivedfrom the original on August 13, 2009.RetrievedDecember 22,2016.
- ^Records, Columbia."System Of A Down Mezmerizes Music Fans Worldwide".Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2011.RetrievedDecember 22,2016.
- ^Alan Di Pernahttps:// guitarworld /features/daron-malakian-21st-century-schizoid-manArchivedAugust 30, 2019, at theWayback Machine(September 29, 2008)
- ^Fabrizio Pedrottihttps://fabriziopedrotti /2019/07/18/shavo-odad gian -system-of-a-down-nunca-va-a-morir/ArchivedAugust 30, 2019, at theWayback Machine(July 18, 2019)
- ^"Australiancharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Austriancharts.at – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in German). Hung Medien.
- ^"Ultratop.be – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^"Ultratop.be – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in French). Hung Medien.
- ^"System of a Down Chart History (Canadian Albums)".Billboard.
- ^"Danishcharts.dk – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Dutchcharts.nl – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^"Eurocharts: Album Sales".Billboard.Vol. 117, no. 23. June 4, 2005. p. 71.Archivedfrom the original on March 23, 2023.RetrievedMay 4,2021.
- ^"System of a Down: Mezmerize "(in Finnish).Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ^"Lescharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Offiziellecharts.de – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in German).GfK Entertainment Charts.
- ^ab"Ελληνικό Chart – Top 50 Ξένων Aλμπουμ"(in Greek).IFPI Greece.
- ^"Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2005. 20. hét"(in Hungarian).MAHASZ.
- ^"Irish-charts – Discography System of a Down".Hung Medien.
- ^"Italiancharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^ab"Los Más Vendidos 2005"(PDF)(in Spanish).Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on February 15, 2010.
- ^"Charts.nz – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Norwegiancharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Oficjalna lista sprzedaży:: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart".OLiS.Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
- ^"Portuguesecharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^"Spanishcharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Swedishcharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Swisscharts – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Hung Medien.
- ^"Official Albums Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.
- ^"System of a Down Chart History (Billboard200) ".Billboard.
- ^"System of a Down Chart History (Top Rock Albums)".Billboard.
- ^"System of a Down Chart History (Vinyl Albums)".Billboard.
- ^"ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2005".Australian Recording Industry Association.Archivedfrom the original on July 26, 2020.RetrievedJuly 2,2021.
- ^"Jahreshitparade Alben 2005"(in German). austriancharts.at.Archivedfrom the original on December 6, 2012.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Jaaroverzichten 2005: Albums"(in Dutch). Ultratop.Archivedfrom the original on April 19, 2014.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Jaarovezichten 2005: Alternatieve Albums"(in Dutch). Ultratop.Archivedfrom the original on June 23, 2014.RetrievedMay 22,2014.
- ^"Rapports Annuels 2005: Albums"(in French). Ultratop.Archivedfrom the original on December 24, 2008.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Jaaroverzichten – Album 2005"(in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2012.RetrievedJune 5,2021.
- ^"Year End European Top 100 Albums Chart 2005 01 - 2005 52"(PDF).Billboard.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 15, 2006.RetrievedJune 9,2021.
- ^"Tops de l'Année - Top Albums 2005"(in French).Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.Archivedfrom the original on July 15, 2020.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Top 100 Album Jahrescharts - 2005"(in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2017.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Classifica annuale 2005 (dal 03.01.2005 al 01.01.2006) – Album & Compilation"(in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2020.RetrievedJuly 5,2021.
- ^"Top Selling Albums of 2005".The Official NZ Music Charts.Archivedfrom the original on December 16, 2014.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Årslista Album – År 2005"(in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan.Archivedfrom the original on October 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2005"(in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan.Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2021.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005"(in German). hitparade.ch.Archivedfrom the original on November 10, 2021.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"The Official UK Albums Chart - Year-End 2005"(PDF).UKchartsplus.co.uk.Official Charts Company.p. 5.Archived(PDF)from the original on February 22, 2012.RetrievedMay 31,2021.
- ^"Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End 2005".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on December 27, 2014.RetrievedMarch 13,2021.
- ^"Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2005"(PDF).IFPI.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 17, 2008.
- ^"Discos de Oro y Platino – 2006"(in Spanish).Camara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.RetrievedOctober 1,2018.
- ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^"Austrian album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in German).IFPIAustria.
- ^"Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2007".Ultratop.Hung Medien.
- ^"Brazilian album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in Portuguese).Pro-Música Brasil.
- ^"Canadian album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Music Canada.
- ^"Danish album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize".IFPI Danmark.RetrievedMarch 31,2017.
- ^ab"System Of A Down"(in Finnish).Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ^"French album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize"(in French).Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
- ^"Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (System Of A Down;'Mezmerize') "(in German).Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^"The Irish Charts - 2005 Certification Awards - Platinum".Irish Recorded Music Association.
- ^"Italian album certifications – System Of A Down – Mezmerize"(in Italian).Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.
- ^"New Zealand album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Recorded Music NZ.
- ^"The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Mezmerize') ".IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- ^"British album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize".British Phonographic Industry.RetrievedMay 24,2021.
- ^"American album certifications – System of a Down – Mezmerize".Recording Industry Association of America.