Mezmerize
{{Other uses|Mesmerize (disambiguation){{!}}Mesmerize}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Mezmerize
| type = studio
| artist = System of a Down
| cover = Mezmerize-LP.jpg
| caption =
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2005|05|17}}
| recorded = June–November 2004{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
| studio = The Mansion and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research Studios, Los Angeles, California
| genre =
- Nu metal{{cite magazine|url=http://loudwire.com/top-50-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time/|title=Top 50 Best Nu-Metal Albums of All-Time|magazine=Loudwire|first=Rae|last=Lemeshow-Barooshian|date=January 8, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2019|archive-date=August 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818221233/https://loudwire.com/top-50-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://wrvu.org/nine-years-later-system-of-a-down-still-mezmerizes-me/|title=Nine Years Later, System of a Down Still "Mezmerizes" Me|publisher=WRVU|first=Zach|last=Blumenfeld|date=November 18, 2014|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121749/http://wrvu.org/nine-years-later-system-of-a-down-still-mezmerizes-me/|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/mezmerize-system-of-a-down-nu-metal-limits/ | title=On 'Mezmerize', System of a Down pushed nu-metal to its limits | access-date=October 17, 2022 | archive-date=October 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017184716/https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/mezmerize-system-of-a-down-nu-metal-limits/ | url-status=live }}
- alternative metal
- art rock{{cite journal |title=Legends of the Fall |journal=Spin |date=September 2005 |volume=21 |issue=9 |page=24 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-6u53go_Q1oC&dq=the+police+%22art+rock%22&pg=PA24 |access-date=September 17, 2024}}
| length = 36:06
| label =
| producer =
| prev_title = Steal This Album!
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = Hypnotize
| next_year = 2005
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Mezmerize
| type = studio
| single1 = B.Y.O.B.
| single1date = March 28, 2005
| single2 = Question!
| single2date = July 12, 2005
}}
}}
Mezmerize is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on May 17, 2005, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Upon its release, the album received acclaim from critics. The album sold over 450,000 copies in its first week (over 200,000 more than Toxicity did), and immediately topped the Billboard 200.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Chris |title=System Of A Down Top Billboard With Mezmerize |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ns6q2p/system-of-a-down-top-billboard-with-mezmerize |website=MTV News |publisher=MTV |date=25 May 2005 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126185631/https://www.mtv.com/news/ns6q2p/system-of-a-down-top-billboard-with-mezmerize |url-status=dead }}
Background
Mezmerize and Hypnotize are considered two parts of a double album. Mezmerize features guitarist Daron Malakian sharing most of the vocal work with vocalist Serj Tankian, splitting the vocals at least halfway on many of the tracks.
Malakian wrote "Old School Hollywood" after playing in a celebrity baseball game for charity. The song mentions Tony Danza and Frankie Avalon, who also played in the game.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/system_of_a_down/news_feature_050307/ |title=System of a Down: Doubleheader |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=2007 |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 7, 2015 |archive-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114092613/http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/system_of_a_down/news_feature_050307/ |url-status=dead }}
In "Radio/Video", there are lines referring to two people named Danny and Lisa. Malakian commented on the song to Revolver magazine:
{{blockquote|"My neighbors were Danny and Lisa, who I sing about in "Radio/Video" with System — they had that record [
In the same interview, Daron Malakian talked about the "non-stop disco" lines in "Violent Pornography":
{{blockquote|"I've always been a huge fan of disco music through my life. We have a song called 'Violent Pornography' in System of a Down, and the lyrics are: 'It's a non-stop disco/Betcha didn't know/Betcha didn't know …' That line means, 'I love disco, betcha didn't know.' That has nothing to do with the rest of the song, by the way."{{Cite news|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-down-and-scars-broadways-daron-malakian-albums-made-me#eazy-e-%E2%80%93-eazy-duz-it-1988|title=System of a Down and Scars on Broadway's Daron Malakian: The Albums That Made Me|date=July 25, 2018|work=Revolver|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=August 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810010857/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-down-and-scars-broadways-daron-malakian-albums-made-me#eazy-e-%E2%80%93-eazy-duz-it-1988|url-status=live}}}}
The Japanese version of the album contains alternate mixes of "Soldier Side (Intro)" and "Lost in Hollywood", the former with additional strings and the latter containing slightly different background vocals, while "Cigaro" as a bonus track on the single for "B.Y.O.B." contains a 4-stick hit intro not present in the retail version. The album artwork is done by Vartan Malakian, the father of Daron Malakian.
Reception
{{Album ratings
| MC = 85/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/mezmerize|title=Mezmerize by System Of A Down|website=Metacritic|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024212630/http://www.metacritic.com/music/mezmerize|url-status=live}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mezmerize-mw0000209577|title=Mezmerize - System of a Down {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|last=Loftus|first=Johnny|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 4, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710132717/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mezmerize-mw0000209577|url-status=live}}
| rev2 = Blabbermouth.net
| rev3 = Drowned in Sound
| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev4Score = A−{{cite magazine |first=Tom |last=Sinclair |title=Mezmerize Review |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/05/16/mezmerize/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 30, 2009 |date=May 16, 2005 |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814194322/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1060789,00.html |url-status=live }}
| rev5 = People
| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite magazine |first=Chuck |last=Arnold |title=Picks and Pans Review: System of a Down (Mezmerize) |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20147981,00.html |magazine=People |date=June 27, 2005 |access-date=August 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019112112/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20147981,00.html
|archive-date=October 19, 2014 }}
| rev6 = Pitchfork
| rev6Score = 7.1/10{{cite web |first=Cory |last=Byrom |title=System Of A Down: Mezmerize |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11839-mezmerize-hypnotize/ |website=Pitchfork |date=November 21, 2005 |access-date=November 21, 2005 |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319043055/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11839-mezmerize-hypnotize/ |url-status=live }}
| rev7 = PopMatters
| rev7Score = 9/10{{cite magazine |first=Adrien |last=Begrand |title=System Of A Down: Mezmerize |url=https://www.popmatters.com/systemofadown-mesmerize-2496064899.html |magazine=PopMatters |date=May 25, 2005 |access-date=November 30, 2009 |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531043925/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/systemofadown-mesmerize |url-status=live }}
| rev8 = Rolling Stone
| rev8Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |first=David |last=Fricke |title=System of a Down: Mezmerize |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/7309436/review/7313411/mezmerize |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 2, 2005 |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428001633/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/7309436/review/7313411/mezmerize |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |url-status=dead}}
| rev9 = Stylus
| rev9Score = B−{{cite magazine |first=Rollie |last=Pemberton |title=System Of A Down: Mezmerize |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/system-of-a-down/mezmerize.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329033939/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/system-of-a-down/mezmerize.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2009 |magazine=Stylus Magazine |date=July 22, 2005 |access-date=November 30, 2009}}
| rev10 = Uncut
| rev10score = {{Rating|4|5}}Confirms System Of A Down as one of the most innovative bands in modern rock. [Jun 2005, p.110]
}}
Mezmerize was acclaimed by critics, scoring 85 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 19 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". The album debuted at number one in at least 12 countries,{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F05-25-2005%2F0003689636&EDATE=|title=System Of A Down Mezmerizes Music Fans Worldwide|first=Columbia|last=Records|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=August 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813061147/http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F05-25-2005%2F0003689636&EDATE=|url-status=live}} including the US Billboard 200, with 453,000 copies,{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/system-of-a-down-mezmerizes-music-fans-worldwide-54516757.html|title=System Of A Down Mezmerizes Music Fans Worldwide|first=Columbia|last=Records|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=September 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914221040/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/system-of-a-down-mezmerizes-music-fans-worldwide-54516757.html|url-status=live}} and has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA. The hit single "B.Y.O.B." won a Grammy Award in 2006 for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Track listing
All music written by Daron Malakian, except "Question!", written by Serj Tankian and Malakian.
{{tracklist
|headline = Mezmerize tracklist
|title1 = Soldier Side - Intro
|lyrics1 = Malakian
|length1 = 1:04
|title2 = B.Y.O.B.
|lyrics2 = Malakian, Tankian
|length2 = 4:15
|title3 = Revenga
|lyrics3 = Malakian, Tankian
|length3 = 3:48
|title4 = Cigaro
|lyrics4 = Malakian, Tankian
|length4 = 2:11
|title5 = Radio/Video
|lyrics5 = Malakian
|length5 = 4:09
|title6 = This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song
|lyrics6 = Malakian, Tankian
|length6 = 2:08
|title7 = Violent Pornography
|lyrics7 = Malakian
|length7 = 3:31
|title8 = Question!
|lyrics8 = Tankian
|length8 = 3:20
|title9 = Sad Statue
|lyrics9 = Malakian, Tankian
|length9 = 3:25
|title10 = Old School Hollywood
|lyrics10 = Malakian
|length10 = 2:56
|title11 = Lost in Hollywood
|lyrics11 = Malakian
|length11 = 5:20
|total_length = 36:06
}}
Personnel
System of a Down
- Serj Tankian – vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar on "Question!" (uncredited)
- Daron Malakian – vocals, guitars, bass (uncredited)Alan Di Perna https://www.guitarworld.com/features/daron-malakian-21st-century-schizoid-man {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830181943/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/daron-malakian-21st-century-schizoid-man |date=August 30, 2019 }} (September 29, 2008)Fabrizio Pedrotti https://fabriziopedrotti.com/2019/07/18/shavo-odadjian-system-of-a-down-nunca-va-a-morir/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830212357/https://fabriziopedrotti.com/2019/07/18/shavo-odadjian-system-of-a-down-nunca-va-a-morir/ |date=August 30, 2019 }} (July 18, 2019)
- Shavo Odadjian – bass
- John Dolmayan – drums, percussion
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
Production
- Rick Rubin – production
- Andy Wallace – mixing
- David Schiffman – engineering
- Jason Lader – editing
- Dana Neilsen – editing
- Phillip Broussard – engineering assistance
- John O'Mahony – Pro Tools engineering
- Steve Sisco – mixing assistance
- Joe Peluso – mixing assistance
{{col-3}}
Additional personnel
- Marc Mann – string arrangements
- Vartan Malakian – artwork
- Brandy Flower – graphic design
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ 2005–2006 weekly chart performance for Mezmerize ! Chart (2005–2006) ! Peak |
| {{album chart|Australia|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|6|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|4|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=System of a Down|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Denmark|3|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|5|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| scope="row"| European Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Billboard+Eurocharts+Mezmerize&pg=PA70|title=Eurocharts: Album Sales|magazine=Billboard|date=June 4, 2005|volume=117|issue=23|page=71|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323115057/https://books.google.com/books?id=6xQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Billboard+Eurocharts+Mezmerize&pg=PA70|url-status=live}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1 |
|---|
| {{album chart|Finland|2|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|France|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"|id=18730}} |
| scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI)
|align="center"| 1 |
| {{album chart|Hungary|12|year=2005|week=20|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland2|2|artist=System of a Down|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|4|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| scope="row"|Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)
|align="center"| 5 |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Norway|2|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Poland|5|rowheader="true"|id=259}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|9|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|2|date=20050522|rowheader=true|access-date=July 6, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|12|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=System of a Down|album=Mezmerize|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|2|artist=System of a Down|date=20050522|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=System of a Down|rowheader="true"}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|24|artist=System of a Down|rowheader="true"}} |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ 2018 weekly chart performance for Mezmerize ! Chart (2018) ! Peak |
| {{album chart|BillboardVinyl|16|artist=System of a Down|rowheader="true"}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Mezmerize}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?AnoFiltro=2006&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP&ACCION=+Buscar+|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004417/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?AnoFiltro=2006&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP&ACCION=+Buscar+|archive-date=September 27, 2007|language=es|access-date=October 1, 2018|title=Discos de Oro y Platino – 2006|publisher=Camara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Platinum|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2007|certmonth=2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2017|id=4565|access-date=March 31, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System Of A Down|award=Platinum|certyear=2007|salesamount=33,068}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System Of A Down|award=Gold|number=3|relyear=2005|certyear=2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System Of A Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2007|id=20070227091014|refname=GRE}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System Of A Down|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System Of A Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2017|id=1152|note=sales since 2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Platinum|number=2|source=radioscope|access-date=2024-12-27|relyear=2005|certyear=2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System Of A Down|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Platinum|id=12470-2057-2|relyear=2005|certyear=2025|access-date=February 14, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Mezmerize|artist=System of a Down|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{System of a Down}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Daron Malakian
Category:Albums produced by Rick Rubin
Category:American Recordings (record label) albums
Category:Columbia Records albums
Category:System of a Down albums