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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Hypnotize
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 139 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sony
Release Date: 22 November 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Metal, Alternative
Summary
Co-produced by Rick Rubin, this 12-song disc was recorded during the same sessions as 'Mesmerize,' and is intended to be heard with that earlier 2005 disc as one complete set.
Also By This Artist: Mezmerize Steal This Album Toxicity
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Screamers
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
musicOMH.com
Against all odds, the completed Mezmerize/Hypnotize project is actually greater than the sum of its parts - in fact it quickly becomes impossible to think of it as anything else than one epic piece of work.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
'Hypnotise' is full on, paranoid, insane, intense, terrifying, and it's telling the truth too... dangerous stuff in other words.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times
"Hypnotize" has some of the circus-is-in-town surrealism that links System to the Frank Zappa avant-rock tradition, but overall it's more of a fundamental rock album. [20 Nov 2005]
Entertainment Weekly
It's a strange brew that may not be everyone's cup of tea; still, there's no denying these cats have their singular system down pat. [25 Nov 2005, p.100]
The Guardian
The fact that this angry, avant-garde record, like its predecessor, will probably top the US charts is simply remarkable.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
The band's best album so far. [21 Nov 2005]
Q Magazine
System Of A Down remains the one metal band non-metalheads can enjoy. [Dec 2005, p.156]
Dot Music
System Of A Down's music is highly layered and complex, but never succumbs to self-indulgence. Every track is tightly-coiled and urgent because, even while they're trying to broaden your horizons, SOAD are aware of the need to rock hard.
Read Full Review >Blender
Hypnotize has a little bit of everything: protest, pretension, comedy, brute force, delicacy, compassion, crassness, fury. [Dec 2005, p.143]
Pitchfork
As the less ambitious of the two albums, Hypnotize is at once more aggressive and more restrained.
Read Full Review >Spin
For what it's worth, Hypnotize is the project's better half. [Dec 2005, p.102]
Rolling Stone
That exhilarating directness gives Hypnotize a distinct edge over the more mannered theater of Mezmerize.
Read Full Review >Billboard
Not that the band's blend of metal; world music; jagged, breakneck rhythms; and non sequitur lyrics don't still connect, but it is nowhere near as dazzling as it was on its first two go-arounds. [26 Nov 2005]
PopMatters
By destroying the momentum of the of the new record by tossing in a trio of very weak songs that are the very definition the word "filler", what could have been a landmark hard rock double album becomes merely a good one.
Read Full Review >Uncut
In many ways [it] seems in thrall to its predecessor. As a study in System Of A Down's multifarious strengths and occasional weaknesses, however, it's indispensable. [Jan 2006, p.110]
Alternative Press
Hypnotize isn't a radioactive pile of suck, but had the Down boys offered some genuine hairpin turns in their aesthetic, there might be more reason to pursue a more meaningful dialogue that transcends the tired notion of "System just being System." [Jan 2006, p.127]
Stylus Magazine
Even if Hypnotize is full of missteps, its existence as a separate entity is what makes Mezmerize nearly perfect.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 139 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
martin w gave it a10:
the best band of its kind!!!
Mithyus gave it a10:
Just as Playlouder translates into words - Intense, terrifying.
Marc gave it a10:
Rock at it's best!!!
tonya k gave it a10:
i love it...this is the first SOAD album i've owned and it's my favorite. i love all the political aspects: there are some great points, very deep. and, of course, the music is great!
Myles #13 gave it a10:
Great great GREAT album! Along with 'Mesmerize', this is THE album to have of the year, and firmly puts SOAD at the top of the musical field. SOAD dares to rock the boat, both musically and politically and remains one of the most truly original bands of our time. Fav's are 'Attack', 'Holy Mountains', 'Vicinity of Obscenity' and the hauntingly beautiful 'Soldier Side'.
yo G gave it a10:
Awesome album.Better than 10 out of 10.Holy Mountains is the best song ever written.
Daniel L gave it a10:
A perfect way to finish what was already expected to be the album or two albums of 2005.I never thought it would beat the greatness that is Toxicity but Hypnotize is almost the perfect album.Not one song is a dud and tracks such as "Dreaming" and Holy Mountains" set this album apart from all the others to be hailed possibly as the best piece of work in the 21st century and a contender for best ever.I never thought it would be this good.Serj,Daron,Shavo and John,You've done the lord's work in the music industry.System of a down is the greatest band since Iron Maiden.
