Toxicity

Toxicity is the highly-anticipated sophomore album from the Los Angeles band System Of A Down.

Produced by Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, Slayer) and System Of A Down and recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, California, Toxicity offers 14 brand new songs, all written by the group that explore socio-political themes ("Prison Song"), serial killer Charles Manson's point-of-view on the environment ("ATWA"), cocaine-addled groupies ("Psycho"), and "Toxicity" which includes the lyric "toxicity of our city, of our city" which provided inspiration for the CD's title.

System Of A Down--Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals), Serj Tankian (vocals, keyboards), Shavo Odadjian (bass), and John Dolmayan (drums) entered the studio in early February, and over a nine-week period recorded some 33 songs. They mixed 17 songs with Andy Wallace (Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, Staind), and then narrowed those down to the final 14 tracks.

The 14 songs on "Toxicity" embrace the band members' diverse musical influences which include Slayer, the Beatles, the Smiths, and Depeche Mode.

"Toxicity" also features multi-instrumentalist Arto Tuncboyaciyan, who has worked with such jazz greats as Al DiMeola, Wayne Shorter, and Chet Baker.

Arto, who played everything from an empty Coke bottle to his bare chest to a bucket filled with water, appears on the track "Science," as well as on a special untitled instrumental track, "outro," which closes the record.

System has worked hard to build a solid foundation of fans around the world, having spent the past two years on the road touring with the likes of Slayer, Metallica, Incubus, and Limp Bizkit, headlining the SnoCore 2000 tour, and playing Ozzfest 1998 and 1999.

Rubin feels that this intensive touring schedule made a significant contribution to System's growth which was apparent while recording the new record.

Those who have heard bits and pieces of the album while it was still a work in progress have raved about it. Alternative Press said, "It's clear why System's follow-up is highly anticipated by anxious fans; their new material captures hard-hitting vehemence and mysticism all at once. The mix of the band's peaceful demeanor, smart satire and raw urgency results in pure energy."