System Of A Down: System Of A Down

System Of A Down’s 1998 self-titled debut remains one of the strangest, heaviest and most distinctive albums to emerge from the late-’90s alternative metal explosion. Before Toxicity turned them into international stars, this was the record that introduced the world to Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan, and virtually everything that would make the band unique was already firmly in place.

Produced by Rick Rubin alongside System Of A Down, the album is gloriously unpredictable. Thrash, hardcore, alternative metal and Armenian musical influences collide with bizarre melodies, sudden tempo changes and Daron Malakian’s unconventional guitar work. Holding everything together is Tankian, whose performance moves effortlessly between melodic singing, whispers, screams and moments of complete vocal chaos.

“Suite-Pee” makes the band’s intentions clear immediately, launching into a twisted riff before repeatedly changing direction. “Know” hits with similar force, while “Sugar” became the song that first brought System Of A Down to a wider audience. More than 25 years later, its deranged energy still sounds completely unique.

The haunting “Spiders” shows another side of the band, replacing frantic aggression with atmosphere and one of Tankian’s finest early vocal performances. “War?” combines political commentary with an enormous chorus, while “Peephole,” “DDevil,” “Soil,” “Mind” and “CUBErt” push deeper into the wonderfully strange territory that defined early System Of A Down.

Closing track “P.L.U.C.K.” addresses the Armenian genocide, demonstrating the seriousness that frequently sat beneath the band’s eccentric presentation. Political anger, personal frustration and dark humour exist throughout the record, often within the same song.

The vinyl format suits this album particularly well. The heavier analogue presentation gives Shavo’s bass and Dolmayan’s drums considerable weight, while Malakian’s abrasive guitar tones retain the raw character that separates the debut from the cleaner production of the band’s later records.

System Of A Down is rougher and considerably more unhinged than Toxicity, Mezmerize or Hypnotize. That’s a huge part of its appeal. This is System Of A Down before worldwide success, sounding hungry, confrontational and completely unlike anyone else.