System of a Down — Music Videos

An individual approach to heavy music

System of a Down are the Armenian American group whose classic lineup consists of Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan. Their songs combine abrupt changes, tightly controlled heavy riffs, melodic passages and a striking range of vocal expression. The music can move from almost conversational delivery to a shout or an expansive harmony in a few moments, giving short songs the feeling of much larger compositions.

The Toxicity recordings

Chop Suey! and Aerials both belong to Toxicity, released in 2001. The first is built from quick contrasts in rhythm, intensity and singing; the second develops a slower, more spacious musical idea. Together they demonstrate the band’s ability to make an unconventional structure feel immediate. Their work also places personal unease beside wider social and political concerns, without requiring every song to follow the same musical approach.

Rhythm and contrast

Listen to Dolmayan’s changes in accent and to the way Odadjian’s bass locks the songs together when the guitar parts turn sharply. Tankian and Malakian use different vocal colours that make their exchanges particularly recognizable. System of a Down are a rewarding starting point for listeners interested in alternative metal that treats surprise, melody and rhythmic precision as equally important parts of a song.