System of a Down - Mesmerize

[LTM360]

I think it's funny you're debating on their political view in B.Y.O.B. when they say they don't view themselves as "political".

“Our music is more of a social, rather than political message. So many people tell me about the different things they hear in our music. Everybody takes something different from System Of A Down. Some focus on the social message, some on time signatures, some on the live show. And I like that.”


"A lot of the songs that seem really obvious aren't that obvious if you really get into them, like 'Radio/Video' for instance," drummer John Dolmayan said, referring to a Mezmerize track seemingly about musicians who are in the business for the wrong reasons. (Lyric sample: "Hey, man! Look at me rockin' out/ I'm on the radio.") "There are a lot of things that are deeper and they take a lot of searching."

It's widely assumed that "B.Y.O.B.," the first single from Mezmerize, is an anti-war song, and Tankian admits the band was concerned about releasing it "because we've been pegged as such a political band, and it's something we've been trying to shy away from so people will understand the different aspects of the band." However, Malakian says not to make assumptions.

"I don't see it as a political song," he said. "The lyrics sing, 'Why don't presidents fight the war?/ Why do they always send the poor?' But that's not a thought to politics or anything else. That's just a viewpoint. That's just a question. And I think, more than politics, we try to spark questions that the powers that be don't want you to ask. It's more about a social commentary. I think it's about a few different things as opposed to being pointed at one thing."

[Casper]

Eh, I've never had a problem with political meanings in some songs. On of my fav bands of all time did it constantly, and they made good out of it - Rage Against The Machine.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by Casper

Hilarious visual rendition of "Psycho" from their first album.

That was great.

(oh, and. . . 'second' album. kthxbye)

[Casper]

Dam you shrew! *shakes fist*

[shrew]

Originally Posted by Casper

Dam you shrew! *shakes fist*

[Casper]

My powers are greater than your weak ninja skills, son

[Stifler]

Just like a few songs from their first CD, a couple from this one has me hooked. I just can't stop listening to BYOB and Violent Pornography. BYOB really gets your system running.

[Stifler]

I swear I cannot stop listening to Hypnotize. Heard it on the radio this morning on the way to work and have no stopped listening to it.