Love the calmness of Lost in Hollywood, took me a while to listen to a proper version of the song because my copy of the cd had a scratch and it would always skip parts on the last 2 songs
Since SOAD stopped making music, Daron made his own band, Scars on Broadway. He used song ideas he made for SOAD mixed with other influences. You also get to hear only Daron sing, which is pretty cool. Would be cool to see you analyze it.
I like S.o.B. for the fact Daron is the singer, guitar, bass and drums in terms of composing and recording. Dictator is Daron, he played all instruments on all songs. I hope S.O.A.D and S.o.B. both have more material in the future.
Both Mezmerize and Hypnotize have similar amounts of crazyness and heaviness. But while this one leans more towards a Silly and Ironic feel, Hypnotize takes on a more Sorrowful and Angry approach. And they're definitely connected. Soldier Side (Intro) sets up a ceratin tone that comes back way further in Lost in Hollywood, which itself sets the tone for the next album. Then, by the end of Hypnotize, everything comes full circle with Soldier Side.
Ooh, that's cool. sounds like they did kind of a full circle thing when both albums are listened to together. I'm definitely excited to give Hypnotize a listen soon!
@@LoMayn3184 literally just listened to this and the only other MTV unplugged I've listened to is Nirvana but there is next to no chance anyone will beat AIC's unplugged for me, It was just so beautiful
oh my GOSH I was so excited for this review. This and Hypnotize are some of my favorite albums of all time and personally I think Hypnotize just a little bit better, but BYOB is an excellent choice for a favorite song here. So excited for your next and final SoaD review ❤️
I remember when this dropped in 2005 my dad had a copy of Mezmerize and B.Y.O.B. was a rude awakening for me into the heavier side of music. Been hooked ever since.
To me, this was the album when they really found THEIR style. SOADs entire discography up to this point is weird and different in the best possible way, but I found with Mezmerize and Hypnotize they perfected it, and they own it, if that makes sense. Great reaction again!
Yeah, you put it really well. I think Mezmerize takes all of the high points from their first three albums and blends it all together in a really cohesive project. They did a fantastic job on it!
Probably the album that changed my perspective on music the most...Thanks to this one I started enjoying musicianship and experimentation over radio friendly-ness. Before this I was a typical metal kid bashing other genres that weren't rock music, this album teached me that every genre had something nice to offer, as SOAD mixes everything on this álbum and works so well
It's their Armenian side coming out when you here different melodies. I'm Radio/Video you mentioned almost a circus sound. That's Armenian. I laughed when you said circus 😂 But it's all good. After I dived into the band and their discography I also looked up their history. It's what I love from them. Wish they'd work things out between the band and Serj. Serj wasn't feeling inspired and has held the band back from releasing new music. This is why they went on to do other projects, especially Daron. His music outside SOAD shows you he's a huge part of why SOAD sounds how they sound. His music sounds like SOAD sometimes. Definitely recommend it even off camera.
Haha, yeah "circus" was the only word coming to mind when I listened to this album, I guess I meant just a sort of playful sound to the music. I love that they infuse their Armenian roots into their music, it's a huge part of what makes their sound so unique. I'll definitely plan on checking out their projects outside of the band once I finish with Hypnotize.
Daron/Serj chemistry reminds me in some way of Layne/Jerry (Alice in Chains) one. They sound and fit so well together. I supposed they took some inspiration for Mr. Bungle in this particular album, specially Radio/Video, Violent Pornography and the pop transitions after heavy riffs.
When System started, Daron was mostly writing music and Serj mostly wrote the lyrics. Daron sang, but it was mostly backing vocals. But as time went on he wrote more lyrics and started singing a lot more, to the point where during Mesmerize & Hypnotize Daron was like a second frontman of the band and there was creative rivalry between him and Serj, they often couldn't agree on making music, that's also the reason SOAD didn't make a new album since 2005. Daron even said in the early years of his career he was more influenced by guitar riffs and heavy metal music, but later he started to be more influenced by The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Neil Young and started going more into songwriting direction rather than just guitar playing. Proof of this are songs like Lost in Hollywood, ATWA or Soldier side.
Youve done a fantastic job with all of your SOAD album reviews! Your level of appreciation for their unique style and sound makes me smile. Thank you for these reviews/reactions!
Can't wait for your reaction to Hypnotize! But I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the "new" voice of Serj. He sounds more nasal compared to the previous albums, but is much more dynamic than ever before. Maybe for the future it would also be an idea to make Reactions to live performances. In general, not only from System of a Down. :)
"Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" is essentially a double album. The songs were written and recorded in the same timeframe and space. "Mermerize" starts with a short intro to "Soldier Side" which is the last song on "Hypnotize." Tonally, the songs share the same vibe...you mentioned the album has a polish to it. So there's a cohesiveness to the double album. It's SOAD's best work to date, and I wish they would put together a new album.
"This cocaine..." is all about a person under the spastic energetic high of cocaine, wanting his next hit and paranoid about someone finding said hit that is hidden in fish. Serj's sporadic screams match the behavior so well.
Always great to see a new Molly upload. There aren't many channels like this (track-by-track breakdowns) and it's encouraging to see people get exposed to new music and expanding their palate.
I feel like each album of theirs got even more refined, polished, 'produced', etc over the years. But they always stayed true to their roots, creative process, selves, etc ❤ Please do Hail the Sun ❤❤❤
When i first heard this album, i must have been 9 or 10 years old, my dad and me were in the car, as he puts on this crazy piece of music. I was pretty shocked at first but we listened to it for so long that i grew on it, and today i feel soo nostalgic about it, i get the chills and everything, it brings back so many memories from my dad and my life as a kid. I'm so glad i got into metal, and i'm glad this band was my intoduction to it :) thanks dad
I've been waiting for this reaction, this is my favorite SOAD record ^^ on this one they took all the good ideas they had in the first three albums and then threw a bunch of new stuff and mixed it all together to make an absolute masterpiece. Expect a similar style on Hypnotize, the two albums were recorded together and are meant as a whole: it's almost like Mezmerize/Hypnotize is a single, big concept album (for example, the last track on Hypnotize is called "Soldier Side" just like the opener on Mezmerize, the two albums share lyrical themes and even the cover artworks are very similar). I'm super excited for your Hypnotize reaction, seeing how much you enjoyed Mezmerize you're definitely going to like that one ^^
Yes, Mezmerize was great! I really enjoyed listening to it, and you described its sound perfectly: all of the elements from their first three albums combined with something extra sprinkled on top. I'm looking forward to hearing Hypnotize now :)
I've been waiting for this for awhile and I'm so excited to see your reaction. Everytime I've came back to this album I'm always going through a Rollercoaster of emotions from badass hangbanging, laughing in a good way, smiling from nostalgia and the beauty, and the sadness that some tracks bring.
Yeah, there's such a wide variety of sounds, themes and emotions all rolled into this album. It really shouldn't work as well as it does, but they somehow make everything so cohesive.
@@mollyesanborn exactly. All 4 make it work somehow. What's cool about the next album is that it's it's own thing. Shaved Odadjian, said that each album is it's own canvass that can be enjoyed on it's own. But if you listen to both albums back to back they make one big piece of artwork that connects but also can still be enjoyed on their own. So maybe after you listen to hypnotize you should go back and listen to both ij one long sitting for yourself and enjoy that big art piece :)) loved the reaction! Great job
I have a theory: After Steal This Album, SoaD figured that even their weirder tracks had an audience for them and they didn't need to cut anything from their albums. Mezmerize and Hypnotize are all over the place because of that. You could definitely take their tracklistings and make two albuns like Toxicity and Steal (one more "serious" and political and another that sings about dicks and pizza), but instead they mixed all the tracks up. It also feels like Serj was checking out a little at this point. It's hard to say how much of the previous albums were written by Daron, but at least the lyrics were very much by Serj. The stuff here sounds very similar to Scars on Broadway, not just musically but lyrically too.
I agree. They really let the last of their creative juices flow out on Steal (which I honestly believe rivals Toxicity). They're good albums, but they don't grab me as much as their first three albums. The quirkiness is still there, but they don't have that same punch as self-titled, Toxicity and STA.
Interesting theory, they certainly do mix a lot of variety in the sounds and lyrical themes on Mezmerize. I'm curious to check out Scars On Broadway and see if I notice that similarity you mentioned.
Amazing reaction and thoughts! I absolutelly love this album, so much energy and experimentation that feels distinct from the other three while still sharing the same chorus ideas, and the next one, Hypnotize, might be my favorite from them dinamicaly and instrumentally following the same flow of ideas, it's going to be really cool to see your reaction to it!
That makes me really excited to hear Hypnotize, I'm really intrigued to hear both how they tie it in with Mezmerize and also what they're going to do differently on it.
System of A Down does not have single bad song. I can que every album and let it play start to finish. Each one of their songs reaches out and drags you in head first.
When you've finished listening to Soad's discography, it's definitely worth listening to the band's other projects. Serj's solo career (Elect the Dead - Imperfect Harmonies and Harakiri mainly) and Scars on Broadway, Daron's band (John has been a member in the past)
Thanks, glad that you're enjoying the format! I find I enjoy listening to full albums more than singles, it makes for a richer experience of an artist's music (at least it does for me).
Got so excited when I saw this and great job!! Something that has been very fascinating to me about SOAD is that their first and fifth (last) album are only 7 years apart!! 5 in 7!! I just counted and it’s about 73 songs (incl. some covers and singles) and I keep finding out about more songs and it’s crazy how with an average of 10 songs a year they kept their quality of work so high (3 of their albums hit 1# in billboard which for a metal band is crazy) , I’m sorta happy they ended their career there. First of all it made people replay more and more of their less known songs and second they worked as far as the members were artistically on the same page.
And oh I cant wait for your reaction on HYPNOTIZE, for me it’s the best SOAD album alongside Toxicity (well maybe toxicity is a bit better but it’s more aggressive and I can’t listen to it as much)
I think you should react to Kittie! They’re an all girl metal band that also came up around the same time as korn and deftones. They started off when they were just teenagers !
@@mollyesanborn They started out on their first album nu metal then turned into a death/melodic death metal band in later albums.would also love to see your reactions to them.
Was working in a CD shop when this was released.... Two good releases by them that year, depending which one you like, never released a bad album, we'll most like never get another album by them, sad but understand the reasons.... I've followed them from their first album. Which is still my favorite.... But as a start to a double album that's not a double that is... Always look forward to great reactions videos from you....
@@mollyesanborn like I listen to all kinds of music, and I'll always have a special place for nu metal/nu metal adjacent bands and albums, system of a down are unique in the way that you can't mistake them for anyone else, and even my Armenian friends love them because though they are American they brought their roots and culture into the music, when I first heard them in 98, there were elements that reminded me of Dead Kennedys so I think they transcend just being a metal band, which is what I love about this band and the music that came out of this scene, like I love all kinds of metal, but metal has looked down on this kind of version of it, but I think it got a lot of people listening to heavier music that maybe wouldn't have before.... Yeah as a whole I think mezmerize and hypnotize is a great artistic statement with something to say on American culture, even the world that's still true and relevant today....
so excited seeing this uploaded!! this was my initial favourite soad album, used to listen to it every day on the bus in high school. it means a lot to me and while i'd say it doesn't go as consistently heavy or hard as the earlier albums do, that's alright because of how well it utilizes the wacky and totally different sound they blend into the genre. coming back to it again with this video reminds me of why i was so drawn to it at first, it's just so fun and unique overall.
This album has indeed elements of all other SOAD albums. With added elements of 'circus' and maybe even 'polka'. xD There's just no other way to phrase it. (it also leads directly into 'hypnotize' - the other album. it is often noted that they wanted to release mesmerize and hypnotize as one album. But they felt mainstream commercialism wouldn't let them. ;) so you'll probably notice tie-ins and similarities there when listening :D)
I was so blesses to come across your videos. The way that you are able to articulate each song, it melts my heart. Keep it up, I am confident that you are going to be a famous voice some day. Gl
I showed my wife, who loves me but doesn't understand bands like, SoD. But, you have a trusted voice and kind smile, and after watching your video, she began crying. I asked her why the frown(s), and she said that she couldn't believe she was so oblivious, and YOU weren't! She is a highly educated and successful 40 year old adult, but YOU showed her the light towards introspective growth. B.R.A.V.O. If you ever get a podcast, please let me be a guest 🙏
This comment just melts my heart! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear how these videos have an impact on other people. I really do try and keep as open a mind as possible to new music and genres that I've never heard before and I'm glad that translates into the reactions. And yeah, I think a podcast one day would be really fun :)
This album came out right after I had my second cross country family move and it helped me so much in the transition. I was obsessed with Toxicity and Steal this Album when I lived in Indiana and SOAD had such a great spot in my life with helping me transition my whole existence. Wish they would make another album :C
I really enjoyed your reaction and review to this album, and I can't wait to see your video reaction to "Hypnotize" album. I think I loved this video reaction because I've listen it more often and like than the other albums. Don't get me wrong, they have good songs, but somehow I feel more conected with "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize". Thank you Molly.
9:10 Serj has some amazing breath control. You can hear him slip micro-breaths in all over the place, into the most incredible places and they're only noticeable if you're listening for them. He's such a great vocalist.
Loved this album! It was a lot more comedic, erratic, and playful than their first 3 albums for sure. Very fun and crazy band haha. Yeah they're not for the faint of heart but if you love heavy, fast, and bizarre rock music, they hit hard! Like that they directly address some political issues personal to them that are going on in the world without causing irritability in doing so.
Yeah, I'd agree that Mezmerize had a sort of lightness and playfulness to it that their first three didn't have as much of (although Steal This Album kinda was moving in that direction). I love that they fuse such heavy themes with that fun side to their sound as well, somehow they make it work really effectively.
I know this isn't a new take but I really love how you do full albums instead of just one song out of context of the album like most others. Must be way more work but in turn it makes your videos much deeper than 99% of others out there.
4:16 you should definitely react to one of their concerts from early days, I can recommend Reading Festival 2001 and Lowlands 2001 for their self-titled & Toxicity energy, but also Astoria and Big Day Out in 2005 for the Hypnotize/Mezmerize things.
I really enjoy the fact you go through each song, album by album. It's nice to see your opinion of the band evolve in tandem with their music organically :) System really are one of those amazing gateway metal bands with such an alternative and fun sound (almost like a pop metal - especially on THIS album)... I might suggest going into Rammstein (dark industrial) and then Metallica (aggressive and epic) to round out a really solid foundation. You'll be ready for basically anything at that point, except for maybe some of the really extreme stuff or uber technical stuff. Well that's assuming your newish to metal, I may be wrong given you seem to understand quite well and naturally enjoy, in which case... Some of my personal favourite bands (other than above) you might want to check out eventually include: Megadeth Annihilator Blind Guardian Iced Earth
Thanks for the comment! I agree, SOAD is a fantastic gateway band because they bring a sort of playfulness to their sound, they fuse a lot of melodic and poppier elements in their music which makes it pretty accessible. Rammstein and Metallica are both on my list! I'll check out your other recommendations as well :)
this and hypnotize are so good, for soad to "end," this was a perfect note to end off on. you will definitely like hypnotize with Dreaming, that song slaps, too hard for anyone to hate. before ending off, check out their demos, covers, and the last 2 songs (whether you want you make videos for that is up to you, but trust me when i say you'll feel complete when you listen to every avaliable soad song that didn't make it to the albums. also the japanese exclusive bonus tracks, marmalade, storaged and johnny (these are too good to skip out on listening to before death)
I was lucky enough to see these guys on these two tours that they did for both albums. Let me tell you that these guys do everything on stage with no tricks no Studio these guys are the real freaking deal. Two of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. And if you get a chance to see them do but if you don't definitely react to one of their live videos.
I love all 5 System albums, but Mesmerize and Hypnotize have gotta be my favorites! The better production quality and the way more complex and interesting vocal harmonies (of which there is much more of than in the first 3 albums) are what really do it for me👍🏻
another great reaction! Yes, hypnotize is like a second part of this album, it's sad that possibly in that album the reactions to SOAD end (Although maybe after that you could react to the 2 songs they released in 2020 for a very special occasion) The next album has a little gem called Lonely Day, a kind of "Lost in Hollywood" but more powerful.
I know, I'm sad it might be the last SOAD album I get to hear. I'll have to check out those two 2020 singles as well as Daron and Serj's solo projects once I do Hypnotize though!
They went from alternative metal, two hard Rock. Thanks for reacting to it. System of a Downs 5th album is called hypnotized, and the point of the albums were not to be two albums, but to be double record albums
Hey Molly, good video! I am also doing sort of the same thing you are, by binging every infected mushroom, korn and metallica album as they are my 3 favourite bands. Keep it up, looking forward to infected and metallica!
I think a lot of the “Circusy” sounding stuff you’re hearing can be attributed to the Armenian folk stylings they incorporate into their compositions. It just sounds so absurd and manic when coupled with the heavy, bouncy riffs that Daron writes. Great review, as always.
I love this album. It's definitely a listen the whole way through from start to finish experience for me. I can cherry pick songs on the first three albums but not this one.
I think this album came out around the time that Serj had to chill on the growling vocals so he didn’t blow out his vocal chords, which might be why they experimented so much with the vocals on this album. This is definitely their weirdest album, and I love it for that
The first track for this album actually completes with the last track of the next album. If you purchased the physical CDs they actually fold together to build a double album case.
Hi Molly, I've been watching some of your reviews lately and it seems like you're really into music (or at least metal) that tends to be on the Avant garde/experimental side. I was wondering if you've heard of the Japanese band Dir en Grey. They're a metal band that has gone from funky j-rock/pop to death and doom metal (and back) and have incorporated anything in between at some point or another, often enough in one song. It also helps that their vocalist is not only technically incredible, but also (in my opinion maybe more importantly) heart wrenchingly expressionate. This guy literally screams his heart out in every performance, moreso than I have ever seen any singer do. From Nick Cave-like melancholy to Queen-level soaring grandiosity and Converge-like fury and rage. Their visual side is also very interesting, by the way. Veeery artsy and expressive fashion and often involving all kinds of makeup and/or bodypaint in the singer's case. Definitely very theatrical, but never fake or deeming disingenuous. Yes they are my favorite band haha, but from what I've seen in terms of your videos and how you experience and analyse music I genuinely think you will like them very much as well. They're not that well known in the west except in the underground, but they're the kind of band that has a worldwide fandom that consistently calls them their favorite band bar none, because they're just that unique and, well, good. If you check them out, thanks! and I'd recommend to just start with their first EP "Missa" and go from there, so that you can experience the natural evolution of their sound.
Thanks for the suggestion! A few others have mentioned Dir en Grey in the comments as well, I haven't heard any of their music yet though. Based on your comment it sounds like something I'd be very intrigued to check out though, I'll definitely be keeping them in mind :)
I was 15 when mezmerize was released and it was one of my first metal albums (maybe the second one after meteora by Linkin Park). I destroyed my ears listening everyday to byob, question and sad statue. And then 6 months later, or something like that, Hypnotize came out and a dear friend of mine gave it to me, and I was like "woah, a new album already?!". Best feeling ever
I really hope you review Hypnotize because it was released very close to to Mezmerize. They were released basically as a double album. I remember owning them on cd and their packaging would actually fit into one another creating a single artistic package.
It’s crazy how I never really realized how different Old School Hollywood was in sound but it kinda just worked so well so I never really noticed.
Yeah, they really did blend it well with the rest of the album.
It does always been one of my favorite tracks on the album
Its so beautiful! As well as metro! Very niche songs that are highly underrated
I loved when they experimented with that
Lost in Hollywood is a perfect closing track for this album. I always get carried away by it
Such a gorgeous track!
one of my favorites by them. soldier side and lost in hollywood have some of their best melodies imo
Love the calmness of Lost in Hollywood, took me a while to listen to a proper version of the song because my copy of the cd had a scratch and it would always skip parts on the last 2 songs
One of their best songs, dude
Same here. My favourite song on Mezmerize by far!
Since SOAD stopped making music, Daron made his own band, Scars on Broadway. He used song ideas he made for SOAD mixed with other influences. You also get to hear only Daron sing, which is pretty cool. Would be cool to see you analyze it.
I'll certainly keep that in mind, I'd love to hear it!
Serj's solo work 👁👄👁
I second this dude😎!
Both Daron and Serj have amazing solo works, highly recommended!
I like S.o.B. for the fact Daron is the singer, guitar, bass and drums in terms of composing and recording. Dictator is Daron, he played all instruments on all songs. I hope S.O.A.D and S.o.B. both have more material in the future.
Both Mezmerize and Hypnotize have similar amounts of crazyness and heaviness. But while this one leans more towards a Silly and Ironic feel, Hypnotize takes on a more Sorrowful and Angry approach. And they're definitely connected.
Soldier Side (Intro) sets up a ceratin tone that comes back way further in Lost in Hollywood, which itself sets the tone for the next album. Then, by the end of Hypnotize, everything comes full circle with Soldier Side.
Ooh, that's cool. sounds like they did kind of a full circle thing when both albums are listened to together. I'm definitely excited to give Hypnotize a listen soon!
If you like harmonies, check out Alice In Chains - Dirt. Layne and Jerrys vocals are amazing together :)
I love Dirt but Jar of Flies tops them all.
Their MTV unplugged album is out of this world. Highly recommend!
@@LoMayn3184 literally just listened to this and the only other MTV unplugged I've listened to is Nirvana but there is next to no chance anyone will beat AIC's unplugged for me, It was just so beautiful
I've never heard Alice in chains, any recommendations for first songs?
oh my GOSH I was so excited for this review. This and Hypnotize are some of my favorite albums of all time and personally I think Hypnotize just a little bit better, but BYOB is an excellent choice for a favorite song here. So excited for your next and final SoaD review ❤️
Yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to hearing Hypnotize now!
I think I like this album better simply because of BYOB and Question. Masterpieces.
YESSS!!! Mezmerize might be my favorite metal album of ALL TIME. B.Y.O.B. was responsible for my first headbang haha. Such good memories😌
I remember when this dropped in 2005 my dad had a copy of Mezmerize and B.Y.O.B. was a rude awakening for me into the heavier side of music. Been hooked ever since.
To me, this was the album when they really found THEIR style. SOADs entire discography up to this point is weird and different in the best possible way, but I found with Mezmerize and Hypnotize they perfected it, and they own it, if that makes sense. Great reaction again!
Yeah, you put it really well. I think Mezmerize takes all of the high points from their first three albums and blends it all together in a really cohesive project. They did a fantastic job on it!
Probably the album that changed my perspective on music the most...Thanks to this one I started enjoying musicianship and experimentation over radio friendly-ness. Before this I was a typical metal kid bashing other genres that weren't rock music, this album teached me that every genre had something nice to offer, as SOAD mixes everything on this álbum and works so well
Yeah, they mix so much on this album but somehow it works great! There's a great flow from track to track.
@@mollyesanborn looking forward to You checking Hypnotize, it has more of a sad vibe all the way, but with some of their best songs
It's their Armenian side coming out when you here different melodies. I'm Radio/Video you mentioned almost a circus sound. That's Armenian. I laughed when you said circus 😂 But it's all good. After I dived into the band and their discography I also looked up their history. It's what I love from them. Wish they'd work things out between the band and Serj. Serj wasn't feeling inspired and has held the band back from releasing new music. This is why they went on to do other projects, especially Daron. His music outside SOAD shows you he's a huge part of why SOAD sounds how they sound. His music sounds like SOAD sometimes. Definitely recommend it even off camera.
Haha, yeah "circus" was the only word coming to mind when I listened to this album, I guess I meant just a sort of playful sound to the music. I love that they infuse their Armenian roots into their music, it's a huge part of what makes their sound so unique. I'll definitely plan on checking out their projects outside of the band once I finish with Hypnotize.
Daron/Serj chemistry reminds me in some way of Layne/Jerry (Alice in Chains) one. They sound and fit so well together. I supposed they took some inspiration for Mr. Bungle in this particular album, specially Radio/Video, Violent Pornography and the pop transitions after heavy riffs.
When System started, Daron was mostly writing music and Serj mostly wrote the lyrics. Daron sang, but it was mostly backing vocals. But as time went on he wrote more lyrics and started singing a lot more, to the point where during Mesmerize & Hypnotize Daron was like a second frontman of the band and there was creative rivalry between him and Serj, they often couldn't agree on making music, that's also the reason SOAD didn't make a new album since 2005. Daron even said in the early years of his career he was more influenced by guitar riffs and heavy metal music, but later he started to be more influenced by The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Neil Young and started going more into songwriting direction rather than just guitar playing. Proof of this are songs like Lost in Hollywood, ATWA or Soldier side.
Youve done a fantastic job with all of your SOAD album reviews! Your level of appreciation for their unique style and sound makes me smile. Thank you for these reviews/reactions!
Thanks, I really appreciate that! Glad you're enjoying all of the System Of A Down content :)
AHHH YES MORE SOAD. This one is so good, I love these reactions they are amazing,
Keep up the good work :D
Thank you!! Glad you're enjoying the SOAD content, I'm loving their music.
@@mollyesanborn Yeah they are awesome, also if your wondering, soad is not very good love anymore
Great video! Sad Statue has got to be my favorite Soad song of all time.
Ah yes, how much I've been waiting for this! Looking forward so much to Hypnotize, Scars on Broadway and Serj's solo work :D
Yes, I'm looking forward to hearing all of those as well!
Can't wait for your reaction to Hypnotize!
But I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the "new" voice of Serj. He sounds more nasal compared to the previous albums, but is much more dynamic than ever before.
Maybe for the future it would also be an idea to make Reactions to live performances. In general, not only from System of a Down. :)
I'm looking forward to hearing it!
He definetly sounds more nasal live rather than the albums
"Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" is essentially a double album. The songs were written and recorded in the same timeframe and space. "Mermerize" starts with a short intro to "Soldier Side" which is the last song on "Hypnotize." Tonally, the songs share the same vibe...you mentioned the album has a polish to it. So there's a cohesiveness to the double album. It's SOAD's best work to date, and I wish they would put together a new album.
"This cocaine..." is all about a person under the spastic energetic high of cocaine, wanting his next hit and paranoid about someone finding said hit that is hidden in fish.
Serj's sporadic screams match the behavior so well.
Always great to see a new Molly upload. There aren't many channels like this (track-by-track breakdowns) and it's encouraging to see people get exposed to new music and expanding their palate.
Thanks, I love being introduced to all of this awesome music! Glad you're enjoying the channel :)
I feel like each album of theirs got even more refined, polished, 'produced', etc over the years. But they always stayed true to their roots, creative process, selves, etc ❤
Please do Hail the Sun ❤❤❤
When i first heard this album, i must have been 9 or 10 years old, my dad and me were in the car, as he puts on this crazy piece of music. I was pretty shocked at first but we listened to it for so long that i grew on it, and today i feel soo nostalgic about it, i get the chills and everything, it brings back so many memories from my dad and my life as a kid. I'm so glad i got into metal, and i'm glad this band was my intoduction to it :) thanks dad
I've been waiting for this reaction, this is my favorite SOAD record ^^ on this one they took all the good ideas they had in the first three albums and then threw a bunch of new stuff and mixed it all together to make an absolute masterpiece. Expect a similar style on Hypnotize, the two albums were recorded together and are meant as a whole: it's almost like Mezmerize/Hypnotize is a single, big concept album (for example, the last track on Hypnotize is called "Soldier Side" just like the opener on Mezmerize, the two albums share lyrical themes and even the cover artworks are very similar).
I'm super excited for your Hypnotize reaction, seeing how much you enjoyed Mezmerize you're definitely going to like that one ^^
Yes, Mezmerize was great! I really enjoyed listening to it, and you described its sound perfectly: all of the elements from their first three albums combined with something extra sprinkled on top. I'm looking forward to hearing Hypnotize now :)
I've been waiting for this for awhile and I'm so excited to see your reaction. Everytime I've came back to this album I'm always going through a Rollercoaster of emotions from badass hangbanging, laughing in a good way, smiling from nostalgia and the beauty, and the sadness that some tracks bring.
Yeah, there's such a wide variety of sounds, themes and emotions all rolled into this album. It really shouldn't work as well as it does, but they somehow make everything so cohesive.
@@mollyesanborn exactly. All 4 make it work somehow. What's cool about the next album is that it's it's own thing. Shaved Odadjian, said that each album is it's own canvass that can be enjoyed on it's own. But if you listen to both albums back to back they make one big piece of artwork that connects but also can still be enjoyed on their own. So maybe after you listen to hypnotize you should go back and listen to both ij one long sitting for yourself and enjoy that big art piece :)) loved the reaction! Great job
I love the transition from the verse to the chorus on B.Y.O.B, so smooth!
That’s what I said lol
I have a theory: After Steal This Album, SoaD figured that even their weirder tracks had an audience for them and they didn't need to cut anything from their albums. Mezmerize and Hypnotize are all over the place because of that. You could definitely take their tracklistings and make two albuns like Toxicity and Steal (one more "serious" and political and another that sings about dicks and pizza), but instead they mixed all the tracks up.
It also feels like Serj was checking out a little at this point. It's hard to say how much of the previous albums were written by Daron, but at least the lyrics were very much by Serj. The stuff here sounds very similar to Scars on Broadway, not just musically but lyrically too.
I agree. They really let the last of their creative juices flow out on Steal (which I honestly believe rivals Toxicity).
They're good albums, but they don't grab me as much as their first three albums. The quirkiness is still there, but they don't have that same punch as self-titled, Toxicity and STA.
Interesting theory, they certainly do mix a lot of variety in the sounds and lyrical themes on Mezmerize. I'm curious to check out Scars On Broadway and see if I notice that similarity you mentioned.
I think the last album is my most favorite because of how crazy it sounds.
I can't wait to finally give Hypnotize a listen!
@@mollyesanborn Can't wait too see! ^^
Amazing reaction and thoughts! I absolutelly love this album, so much energy and experimentation that feels distinct from the other three while still sharing the same chorus ideas, and the next one, Hypnotize, might be my favorite from them dinamicaly and instrumentally following the same flow of ideas, it's going to be really cool to see your reaction to it!
That makes me really excited to hear Hypnotize, I'm really intrigued to hear both how they tie it in with Mezmerize and also what they're going to do differently on it.
The way byob transitions to the chorus perfectly and in a satisfying way always blows me away
System of A Down does not have single bad song. I can que every album and let it play start to finish. Each one of their songs reaches out and drags you in head first.
Me too and in my opinion you always hear SOAD albums without skipping any songs you just start the first song and you listen to the whole album.
When you've finished listening to Soad's discography, it's definitely worth listening to the band's other projects. Serj's solo career (Elect the Dead - Imperfect Harmonies and Harakiri mainly) and Scars on Broadway, Daron's band (John has been a member in the past)
I'll definitely keep that in mind, I'm very curious to hear what Daron and Serj have done on their own outside of SOAD.
Wish I could hear this album for the first time again. So many good memories from when it was released in 2005.
I'm so happy watching your reactions/analysis, I think it's the first channel I found that takes over whole albums and I find it very refreshing tbh
Thanks, glad that you're enjoying the format! I find I enjoy listening to full albums more than singles, it makes for a richer experience of an artist's music (at least it does for me).
I love that you kept camera contact while reciting “this cocaine…” gifable moment!
Got so excited when I saw this and great job!! Something that has been very fascinating to me about SOAD is that their first and fifth (last) album are only 7 years apart!! 5 in 7!! I just counted and it’s about 73 songs (incl. some covers and singles) and I keep finding out about more songs and it’s crazy how with an average of 10 songs a year they kept their quality of work so high (3 of their albums hit 1# in billboard which for a metal band is crazy) , I’m sorta happy they ended their career there. First of all it made people replay more and more of their less known songs and second they worked as far as the members were artistically on the same page.
And oh I cant wait for your reaction on HYPNOTIZE, for me it’s the best SOAD album alongside Toxicity (well maybe toxicity is a bit better but it’s more aggressive and I can’t listen to it as much)
the guitar going crazy on Question! is AMAZING, so satisfaying to hear
Yes! Finally! I've been looking for this reaction!
Question! is one of my favorite SOAD songs, but that isn’t really saying much when I absolutely adore every single one of their songs so much
I know, it's so hard to pick a favorite track from them. They always manage to do something really unique with all of their songs.
I think you should react to Kittie! They’re an all girl metal band that also came up around the same time as korn and deftones. They started off when they were just teenagers !
They've been recommended quite a bit, I'll definitely have to give them a listen soon!
@@mollyesanborn They started out on their first album nu metal then turned into a death/melodic death metal band in later albums.would also love to see your reactions to them.
their first album was amazing but i don't really like the rest of them
Another Great review! I don't think i can ever get tired of seeing you react to all these great albums. The last 4 or 5 have been really awesome :)
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the reactions :D
Was working in a CD shop when this was released.... Two good releases by them that year, depending which one you like, never released a bad album, we'll most like never get another album by them, sad but understand the reasons.... I've followed them from their first album. Which is still my favorite.... But as a start to a double album that's not a double that is... Always look forward to great reactions videos from you....
I'm really looking forward to Hypnotize next and hearing how it's going to tie in with the sound on Mezmerize.
honestly it was surprising enough that we got two new songs so we really can't complain much
@@givenspade yeah totally can't complain about that... Never would....
@@mollyesanborn like I listen to all kinds of music, and I'll always have a special place for nu metal/nu metal adjacent bands and albums, system of a down are unique in the way that you can't mistake them for anyone else, and even my Armenian friends love them because though they are American they brought their roots and culture into the music, when I first heard them in 98, there were elements that reminded me of Dead Kennedys so I think they transcend just being a metal band, which is what I love about this band and the music that came out of this scene, like I love all kinds of metal, but metal has looked down on this kind of version of it, but I think it got a lot of people listening to heavier music that maybe wouldn't have before.... Yeah as a whole I think mezmerize and hypnotize is a great artistic statement with something to say on American culture, even the world that's still true and relevant today....
been waiting for this one! one of my top 3 fav albums of all time.
I was looking forward to this!!!
“I like the heavier and darker tone one this one.”
The song: EVERYBODY EVERYBODY EVERYBODY LIVIN NOW
so excited seeing this uploaded!! this was my initial favourite soad album, used to listen to it every day on the bus in high school. it means a lot to me and while i'd say it doesn't go as consistently heavy or hard as the earlier albums do, that's alright because of how well it utilizes the wacky and totally different sound they blend into the genre. coming back to it again with this video reminds me of why i was so drawn to it at first, it's just so fun and unique overall.
This album has indeed elements of all other SOAD albums. With added elements of 'circus' and maybe even 'polka'. xD
There's just no other way to phrase it.
(it also leads directly into 'hypnotize' - the other album. it is often noted that they wanted to release mesmerize and hypnotize as one album. But they felt mainstream commercialism wouldn't let them. ;) so you'll probably notice tie-ins and similarities there when listening :D)
I was so blesses to come across your videos. The way that you are able to articulate each song, it melts my heart.
Keep it up, I am confident that you are going to be a famous voice some day. Gl
Wow, thank you!! Reading your comment made my night, it really means a lot ❤️
I showed my wife, who loves me but doesn't understand bands like, SoD.
But, you have a trusted voice and kind smile, and after watching your video, she began crying. I asked her why the frown(s), and she said that she couldn't believe she was so oblivious, and YOU weren't!
She is a highly educated and successful 40 year old adult, but YOU showed her the light towards introspective growth. B.R.A.V.O.
If you ever get a podcast, please let me be a guest 🙏
This comment just melts my heart! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear how these videos have an impact on other people. I really do try and keep as open a mind as possible to new music and genres that I've never heard before and I'm glad that translates into the reactions. And yeah, I think a podcast one day would be really fun :)
I've been waiting for this moments for the last 2 months
God i fucking love you reactions girl to my favorite metal band ♡
aw thanks! ❤️
After watching your reaction , i went back to listen to the whole album again. Masterpiece.
This album came out right after I had my second cross country family move and it helped me so much in the transition. I was obsessed with Toxicity and Steal this Album when I lived in Indiana and SOAD had such a great spot in my life with helping me transition my whole existence. Wish they would make another album :C
Love your reaction videos Molly, keep 'em coming!
I really enjoyed your reaction and review to this album, and I can't wait to see your video reaction to "Hypnotize" album. I think I loved this video reaction because I've listen it more often and like than the other albums. Don't get me wrong, they have good songs, but somehow I feel more conected with "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize". Thank you Molly.
Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the reaction! I'm really looking forward to hearing Hypnotize now :)
9:10 Serj has some amazing breath control. You can hear him slip micro-breaths in all over the place, into the most incredible places and they're only noticeable if you're listening for them.
He's such a great vocalist.
Loved this album! It was a lot more comedic, erratic, and playful than their first 3 albums for sure. Very fun and crazy band haha. Yeah they're not for the faint of heart but if you love heavy, fast, and bizarre rock music, they hit hard! Like that they directly address some political issues personal to them that are going on in the world without causing irritability in doing so.
Yeah, I'd agree that Mezmerize had a sort of lightness and playfulness to it that their first three didn't have as much of (although Steal This Album kinda was moving in that direction). I love that they fuse such heavy themes with that fun side to their sound as well, somehow they make it work really effectively.
I never got to listen to this release so I can join in on the reaction!
Nice! Hope ya enjoy the video :)
I know this isn't a new take but I really love how you do full albums instead of just one song out of context of the album like most others. Must be way more work but in turn it makes your videos much deeper than 99% of others out there.
4:16 you should definitely react to one of their concerts from early days, I can recommend Reading Festival 2001 and Lowlands 2001 for their self-titled & Toxicity energy, but also Astoria and Big Day Out in 2005 for the Hypnotize/Mezmerize things.
This is definitely my favorite SOAD album. Most impactful I think and other artists took a lot from this.
Every time I watch your impressions I feel like listening the whole album all over again, they're just so good.
That makes me happy to hear, glad you're enjoying the videos :)
I really enjoyed the video and i can't wait for the Hypnotize reaction because it has my favorite SOAD song (Dreaming)!
Glad you enjoyed the reaction, and I'm excited to hear Hypnotize!
I really enjoy the fact you go through each song, album by album. It's nice to see your opinion of the band evolve in tandem with their music organically :)
System really are one of those amazing gateway metal bands with such an alternative and fun sound (almost like a pop metal - especially on THIS album)... I might suggest going into Rammstein (dark industrial) and then Metallica (aggressive and epic) to round out a really solid foundation.
You'll be ready for basically anything at that point, except for maybe some of the really extreme stuff or uber technical stuff.
Well that's assuming your newish to metal, I may be wrong given you seem to understand quite well and naturally enjoy, in which case...
Some of my personal favourite bands (other than above) you might want to check out eventually include:
Megadeth
Annihilator
Blind Guardian
Iced Earth
Thanks for the comment! I agree, SOAD is a fantastic gateway band because they bring a sort of playfulness to their sound, they fuse a lot of melodic and poppier elements in their music which makes it pretty accessible. Rammstein and Metallica are both on my list! I'll check out your other recommendations as well :)
@@mollyesanborn
Thanks for the response!
I'm looking forward to seeing your reactions to any of them :)
Keep it up!
Lost in Hollywood may not have the craziness of the other songs, but I just love the melody
This is my favorite album of theirs, but not by that much.. because i love all their stuff.
Its crazy how consistently good they are
i love Radio/video
Thanks for watching! Yeah, Radio/Video is a great track. I love that lowkey start and then HEY MAN LOOK AT ME ROCKING OUT haha!
I would recommend the album relationship of command by at the drive in :)
This album is so good, I can't wait to see your reaction to hypnotize. Both of them are such great albums together.
this and hypnotize are so good, for soad to "end," this was a perfect note to end off on.
you will definitely like hypnotize with Dreaming, that song slaps, too hard for anyone to hate.
before ending off, check out their demos, covers, and the last 2 songs (whether you want you make videos for that is up to you, but trust me when i say you'll feel complete when you listen to every avaliable soad song that didn't make it to the albums. also the japanese exclusive bonus tracks, marmalade, storaged and johnny (these are too good to skip out on listening to before death)
I'll definitely have to check all of those tracks out! :)
I remember this year it was released. We were waiting for hypnotize . Was worth the wait
Yay! 1 more to go! Thanks for doing the discography! After Mesmerize, you should give Scars on Broadway a try!
I'm definitely planning to check Scars On Broadway out after I hear Hypnotize!
Already suggested other Big Day Out videos. However. System live there is such a good example of when this album came out.
I have loved this journey so much.
Glad you're enjoying the SOAD reactions! I can't wait to hear Hypnotize.
@@mollyesanborn I am really just super excited for you.
I was lucky enough to see these guys on these two tours that they did for both albums. Let me tell you that these guys do everything on stage with no tricks no Studio these guys are the real freaking deal. Two of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. And if you get a chance to see them do but if you don't definitely react to one of their live videos.
I love all 5 System albums, but Mesmerize and Hypnotize have gotta be my favorites! The better production quality and the way more complex and interesting vocal harmonies (of which there is much more of than in the first 3 albums) are what really do it for me👍🏻
Aye back to some soad! Love the break and build up in the track “sad statue”legendary album and reactions!
Best álbum forever. Great video
Brilliant upload. What a great album this is. So unique. No one sounds like soad.. 👍 Its nice reliving classic metal with you.
Thanks for watching! Yeah, I love how unique SOAD is across their entire discography. Mezmerize did not disappoint!
I always forget BYOB is on this album and not on one of their earlier ones
another great reaction!
Yes, hypnotize is like a second part of this album, it's sad that possibly in that album the reactions to SOAD end (Although maybe after that you could react to the 2 songs they released in 2020 for a very special occasion)
The next album has a little gem called Lonely Day, a kind of "Lost in Hollywood" but more powerful.
I know, I'm sad it might be the last SOAD album I get to hear. I'll have to check out those two 2020 singles as well as Daron and Serj's solo projects once I do Hypnotize though!
I like how melodic this and it's follow-up is! 😁
Thus is my favorite soad album. Glad u finally checked it out.
Great reaction! These are an absolutely blast to watch!!
Thanks, glad you're enjoying them :)
They went from alternative metal, two hard Rock. Thanks for reacting to it.
System of a Downs 5th album is called hypnotized, and the point of the albums were not to be two albums, but to be double record albums
daron malakian is just a musical genius
Hey Molly, good video! I am also doing sort of the same thing you are, by binging every infected mushroom, korn and metallica album as they are my 3 favourite bands. Keep it up, looking forward to infected and metallica!
It’s out let’s go!! 1 more album to go and then there’s also 2 singles that they released in 2020 after 15 years without new music
Oh, there are?! I didn't know that, I'll have to give them a listen after I hear Hypnotize!
I enjoyed ur reaction alot .. have a great day !
Thanks! Glad you liked the video :)
I think a lot of the “Circusy” sounding stuff you’re hearing can be attributed to the Armenian folk stylings they incorporate into their compositions. It just sounds so absurd and manic when coupled with the heavy, bouncy riffs that Daron writes.
Great review, as always.
This channel feels nostalgic even tho it's new lol! You're awesome
Aw thanks! Glad you're enjoying the videos :)
I wanted this reaction to happen so much, purely to watch your reaction to the Elmo-esque vocals in the chorus of "This Cocaine."
Just fell in love with this girl that i never seen before
I love this album. It's definitely a listen the whole way through from start to finish experience for me. I can cherry pick songs on the first three albums but not this one.
Seriously I love playing this album straight through, every song is stellar and so hype.
love your reactions, keep up the good work
Thanks! :)
I love your reactions Molly!
Thanks for watching! :)
I think this album came out around the time that Serj had to chill on the growling vocals so he didn’t blow out his vocal chords, which might be why they experimented so much with the vocals on this album. This is definitely their weirdest album, and I love it for that
my first SOTD album I heard back in the day and it's still one of my favourite albums to this day
The first track for this album actually completes with the last track of the next album. If you purchased the physical CDs they actually fold together to build a double album case.
Hi Molly, I've been watching some of your reviews lately and it seems like you're really into music (or at least metal) that tends to be on the Avant garde/experimental side. I was wondering if you've heard of the Japanese band Dir en Grey. They're a metal band that has gone from funky j-rock/pop to death and doom metal (and back) and have incorporated anything in between at some point or another, often enough in one song. It also helps that their vocalist is not only technically incredible, but also (in my opinion maybe more importantly) heart wrenchingly expressionate. This guy literally screams his heart out in every performance, moreso than I have ever seen any singer do. From Nick Cave-like melancholy to Queen-level soaring grandiosity and Converge-like fury and rage.
Their visual side is also very interesting, by the way. Veeery artsy and expressive fashion and often involving all kinds of makeup and/or bodypaint in the singer's case. Definitely very theatrical, but never fake or deeming disingenuous.
Yes they are my favorite band haha, but from what I've seen in terms of your videos and how you experience and analyse music I genuinely think you will like them very much as well. They're not that well known in the west except in the underground, but they're the kind of band that has a worldwide fandom that consistently calls them their favorite band bar none, because they're just that unique and, well, good.
If you check them out, thanks! and I'd recommend to just start with their first EP "Missa" and go from there, so that you can experience the natural evolution of their sound.
Thanks for the suggestion! A few others have mentioned Dir en Grey in the comments as well, I haven't heard any of their music yet though. Based on your comment it sounds like something I'd be very intrigued to check out though, I'll definitely be keeping them in mind :)
I was 15 when mezmerize was released and it was one of my first metal albums (maybe the second one after meteora by Linkin Park). I destroyed my ears listening everyday to byob, question and sad statue. And then 6 months later, or something like that, Hypnotize came out and a dear friend of mine gave it to me, and I was like "woah, a new album already?!". Best feeling ever
I really hope you review Hypnotize because it was released very close to to Mezmerize. They were released basically as a double album. I remember owning them on cd and their packaging would actually fit into one another creating a single artistic package.
Yeah, I'm definitely planning on doing Hypnotize too! Can't wait to hear it :)