TOXICITY review - In 2020, because we're going neutral on a moving train right now
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Toxicity is a 2001 nü metal album by System of a Down. Highly regarded in spite of its incredibly politically-charged lyrics, even among the metal scene who tends to loathe nü metal and can have, um, its... epic gamer moments. Fronted by Armenian maestro Serj Tankien, Toxicity is fascinating to talk about to this day, despite its almost being 20 years old at this point, thanks to its melding of crushing instrumentals, complex lyrical themes, Dadaist messaging, and occult vibes that SOAD are known for thanks to tracks such as "Spiders." But let's cut to the chase: I am not reviewing this album now for no reason. As the world freefalls, in an age of pandemics, incompetent leadership, a neoliberal stranglehold on politics that never ceases to wring the left of any hope or agency, and a left more concerned with circular firing squads than banding together and fighting the fights that need to be fought if we don't want hundreds of thousands of innocent people to die... fuck, does this album feel more meaningful than ever. And god, do I wish that I had listened to it much sooner.
If it sounds like my adoration of this album comes purely out of my political agreements with it, I would object to such a mischaracterization. For starters, the instrumentals lead to these anarchic, cacophonous landscapes which will butter the biscuit of any metal enthusiast. And yet, there's a beating heart of beauty lurking underneath that breaks through on songs such as the title track and its closer, "Aerials,"--which just feels so serene in a twisted sort of way that I can't place, but love all the same. There are no albums that feel quite like Toxicity, even other System of a Down albums. It is, at once, wonderfully crunchy, arcane, and majestic.
Further compounding matters is Serj, whose range is incontestable. He has a voice that one might not think could ever go mainstream, and yet it did. I'd attribute this in part to his versatility--you get all of the batshit screaming endemic to metal, but also more melodic singing that is as touching as the yelling is propulsive. Again, I direct you towards "Aerials," a song that I am convinced is one of the prettiest ever... and it's from System of a Down. I just love that. What's more, these dynamics go beyond the instrumentals and the vocals. You know what that means: time for me to gush about the lyrics.
Nü metal, as regrettable as much of the subgenre is seen now, was influenced by the grunge of the nineties in its approach to emotionally potent lyrical content. Unfortunately, nü metal was moreso than its big brother often shooting for lyricism that comes off as more emotionally manipulative or whiny than sincere and revealing. I will take Nirvana or Pearl Jam or Soundgarden over Fred fucking Durst rapping badly about his misogyny. System of a Down thankfully is more in line with those three grunge giants in its thoroughly uncynical approaches to such dark topics as domestic abuse and suicide. In a way, it's the kind of poetry I'd expect of a Kurt Cobain or a Chris Cornell, which is by no means an issue.
But how can I only devote a single paragraph to the lyricism with an album like this, which is so varied in its lyrical content? There's this meme in creative and commentary circles that says that political commentary dates a work, but listening to Toxicity, it is overwhelmingly timely. Hell, doesn't this sound like a lyric that a current political band such as THE FEVER 333, Idles, or Moron Police--especially Moron Police--would write NOW as a response to TODAY'S bullshit?:
The truth is that leftist commentary generally doesn't date itself, because leftist commentary tends to focus on systems rather than today's day-to-day quibbles. Not to say that we cannot be topical, but that's usually used to underline a critique of hegemony. The only things that don't feel current are some of the statistics cited on "Prison Song"... but they're only dated because things have gotten EVEN WORSE since 2001. Which, let's be fucking real here, is a far greater problem than "oh, now it's actually like 2.5 times, instead of twice" or whatever? And while we're being upfront about things, can we just admit how outstanding and poetic some of these lyrics are? They're so fucking good and pretty.
So what of the album's flow? Honestly? I have no problems with it whatsoever. You could say it's common for albums to start aggressive and end on a mellow note, but that's fine when it serves the album in a deliberate way. Toxicity takes you on a journey, a wonderful journey, and one that has me consistently enthralled. And that's thanks to its superb pacing and fine-tuned tracklist, which lacks a single dud.
Toxicity is very well likely to become one of my all-time favorite records. It has everything I want in a lyrical metal project; uncompromising lyrics, badass playing, moments of serenity to balance out more pulse-pounding elements and create a lush listening experience free of monotony. If you thought I was going to give it any score other than a 10/10, you must not have been paying attention somewhere along the line. Fucking hell yeah.
Masterpiece
Summary:
One of the best metal albums ever--and perhaps, one of the finest albums, period. An album that is consistently riveting from front to back, a powerful listening experience full of thrills and more contemplative moments. If you haven't listened to it, give it a bash if it sounds like something you might like. And if you have already listened to it, I'll presume I've just given you an excuse to spin it one more time.
Toxicity is a 2001 nü metal album by System of a Down. Highly regarded in spite of its incredibly politically-charged lyrics, even among the metal scene who tends to loathe nü metal and can have, um, its... epic gamer moments. Fronted by Armenian maestro Serj Tankien, Toxicity is fascinating to talk about to this day, despite its almost being 20 years old at this point, thanks to its melding of crushing instrumentals, complex lyrical themes, Dadaist messaging, and occult vibes that SOAD are known for thanks to tracks such as "Spiders." But let's cut to the chase: I am not reviewing this album now for no reason. As the world freefalls, in an age of pandemics, incompetent leadership, a neoliberal stranglehold on politics that never ceases to wring the left of any hope or agency, and a left more concerned with circular firing squads than banding together and fighting the fights that need to be fought if we don't want hundreds of thousands of innocent people to die... fuck, does this album feel more meaningful than ever. And god, do I wish that I had listened to it much sooner.
If it sounds like my adoration of this album comes purely out of my political agreements with it, I would object to such a mischaracterization. For starters, the instrumentals lead to these anarchic, cacophonous landscapes which will butter the biscuit of any metal enthusiast. And yet, there's a beating heart of beauty lurking underneath that breaks through on songs such as the title track and its closer, "Aerials,"--which just feels so serene in a twisted sort of way that I can't place, but love all the same. There are no albums that feel quite like Toxicity, even other System of a Down albums. It is, at once, wonderfully crunchy, arcane, and majestic.
Further compounding matters is Serj, whose range is incontestable. He has a voice that one might not think could ever go mainstream, and yet it did. I'd attribute this in part to his versatility--you get all of the batshit screaming endemic to metal, but also more melodic singing that is as touching as the yelling is propulsive. Again, I direct you towards "Aerials," a song that I am convinced is one of the prettiest ever... and it's from System of a Down. I just love that. What's more, these dynamics go beyond the instrumentals and the vocals. You know what that means: time for me to gush about the lyrics.
Nü metal, as regrettable as much of the subgenre is seen now, was influenced by the grunge of the nineties in its approach to emotionally potent lyrical content. Unfortunately, nü metal was moreso than its big brother often shooting for lyricism that comes off as more emotionally manipulative or whiny than sincere and revealing. I will take Nirvana or Pearl Jam or Soundgarden over Fred fucking Durst rapping badly about his misogyny. System of a Down thankfully is more in line with those three grunge giants in its thoroughly uncynical approaches to such dark topics as domestic abuse and suicide. In a way, it's the kind of poetry I'd expect of a Kurt Cobain or a Chris Cornell, which is by no means an issue.
But how can I only devote a single paragraph to the lyricism with an album like this, which is so varied in its lyrical content? There's this meme in creative and commentary circles that says that political commentary dates a work, but listening to Toxicity, it is overwhelmingly timely. Hell, doesn't this sound like a lyric that a current political band such as THE FEVER 333, Idles, or Moron Police--especially Moron Police--would write NOW as a response to TODAY'S bullshit?:
Life is a waterfall
We drink from the river
Then we turn around and put up our walls
The truth is that leftist commentary generally doesn't date itself, because leftist commentary tends to focus on systems rather than today's day-to-day quibbles. Not to say that we cannot be topical, but that's usually used to underline a critique of hegemony. The only things that don't feel current are some of the statistics cited on "Prison Song"... but they're only dated because things have gotten EVEN WORSE since 2001. Which, let's be fucking real here, is a far greater problem than "oh, now it's actually like 2.5 times, instead of twice" or whatever? And while we're being upfront about things, can we just admit how outstanding and poetic some of these lyrics are? They're so fucking good and pretty.
So what of the album's flow? Honestly? I have no problems with it whatsoever. You could say it's common for albums to start aggressive and end on a mellow note, but that's fine when it serves the album in a deliberate way. Toxicity takes you on a journey, a wonderful journey, and one that has me consistently enthralled. And that's thanks to its superb pacing and fine-tuned tracklist, which lacks a single dud.
Toxicity is very well likely to become one of my all-time favorite records. It has everything I want in a lyrical metal project; uncompromising lyrics, badass playing, moments of serenity to balance out more pulse-pounding elements and create a lush listening experience free of monotony. If you thought I was going to give it any score other than a 10/10, you must not have been paying attention somewhere along the line. Fucking hell yeah.
Masterpiece
Summary:
One of the best metal albums ever--and perhaps, one of the finest albums, period. An album that is consistently riveting from front to back, a powerful listening experience full of thrills and more contemplative moments. If you haven't listened to it, give it a bash if it sounds like something you might like. And if you have already listened to it, I'll presume I've just given you an excuse to spin it one more time.
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