Hypnotize
by System Of A Down
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 22, 2005
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 260 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 234 out of 260
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 260
  3. Negative: 11 out of 260

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  1. WillO
    Nov 22, 2005
    10
    Great album, these guys just know how to plain rock out and have fun. At the same time while having fun they have some meaning to there songs. But music is about having fun, not everything needs to be all smart and lovy dovy. This is just a plain rock hard album, you can't go wrong here! The Mezmerize/Hypnotize project is plain great, really an amazing job!
  2. peterm
    Nov 22, 2005
    9
    CLEARLY one of the best hard rock albums of recent history. Besides MAYBE 2 songs, this album is start to finish brilliance.
  3. Robert
    Nov 22, 2005
    8
    A good album, not great. I'm only one listen in thus far though. Definitely on par with Mezmerize. The last song on the cd is the continuation of the first song off Mezmerize, "Soldier Side." It is one of the best songs on the disc.
  4. Mike
    Nov 22, 2005
    1
    anyone who thinks critically about the music they listen to and believes that this is good, you need to be removed from society
  5. CalebA
    Nov 22, 2005
    10
    It's really important to take in both Mesmerize and Hypnotize as one whole product rather than separates. Mesmerize seems to contain the catchier songs by my judgment, but Hypnotize is every bit as strong musically. They're both great, great albums.
  6. NickH.
    Nov 23, 2005
    8
    I can't see myself giving
  7. michaelm
    Nov 23, 2005
    9
    i'm a system fan, and i think they continue to grow musically. they are writing songs that flow better than before. in the past some songs have been choppy, but the soft to hard transfers in both mezmerize and hypnotise are much better than previous albums.
  8. cezak
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    pls help me!!
  9. jaimev
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    This is the best album of the year by far, with Francis the Mute coming in a close second.
  10. JeromK
    Nov 25, 2005
    9
    An astounding, serene, and eye opening finish to the dual disc set. Their politicaly dark satire shines full blast in this disc, though the overall pace of this album is melower than mezmerzed ( probably why its called hypnotized) . I personaly like the albums seperated, i think it helped maintain the diferences and similarities between the albums message w/o combining them together ( An astounding, serene, and eye opening finish to the dual disc set. Their politicaly dark satire shines full blast in this disc, though the overall pace of this album is melower than mezmerzed ( probably why its called hypnotized) . I personaly like the albums seperated, i think it helped maintain the diferences and similarities between the albums message w/o combining them together ( though $30 is alot for one hour of music.) The rollercoaster of auditory sensations and climate defining lyrics is yet another sobering relief in this some what droll year in music.… Expand
  11. AlainaO
    Nov 26, 2005
    10
    Well, I don't care what anyone else says, I friggin love SOAD. They're very musically capacitated, and not to mention a quartet of very musically gifted individuals. It takes some true music appreciation to appreciate Systm of a Down, in all their greatness. You have to really listen. But it pays off, for sure.
  12. IanM.
    Dec 15, 2005
    9
    This is a great album. It starts with the angry, violent anit-war anthem "Attack" (which, strange as it sounds, works well). It then goes uphill from there with the disturbed "Dreaming" and punk-ska like "Kill Rock n' Roll". It hits a high spot with "Hypnotize", which has a very cool beat to it and is a nice change of pace from the heavier riffs of the earlier songs. It then goes This is a great album. It starts with the angry, violent anit-war anthem "Attack" (which, strange as it sounds, works well). It then goes uphill from there with the disturbed "Dreaming" and punk-ska like "Kill Rock n' Roll". It hits a high spot with "Hypnotize", which has a very cool beat to it and is a nice change of pace from the heavier riffs of the earlier songs. It then goes onto "Stealing Society" and "Tentative", which are both OK songs but not SOAD's best. After that is "U-Fig", another crazy cool war song, and then "Holy Mountains". "Holy Mountains" is probably one of, if not the best song ever written by SOAD. Its chilling melodies and lyrics are absolute genius. Then, the only black spots on the album follow. "Vincinity of Obscenity" and "She's Like Heroin" are just plain terrible. The lyrics suck, the music sucks... they just plain suck. After those bombs is "Lonely Day", a mediocre song that you'll either love or hate. The album then closes with "Soldier Side", an excellent haunting death tune (and continuation of Mesmerize's intro). This album, like Mesmerize, is great on its own. However, together they flow with each other, their differences and shortcomings each making the other better, creating the best new metal masterpiece of our time.… Expand
  13. rener
    Dec 16, 2005
    10
    best album yet
  14. Dreaming
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    Truly the next step in the progression of System. Where will they go from here?
  15. SOADFANATIC
    Dec 29, 2005
    10
    System of a down is definately one of the best and most innovative bands of all time. Every aspect of their music is freaking awesome. Everybody is saying that this is not one of S.O.A.D.'s best albums, but it is just a different style than their other albums. Some people may think that it is worse than their previous stuff, depending on what they like listening to. Even though System of a down is definately one of the best and most innovative bands of all time. Every aspect of their music is freaking awesome. Everybody is saying that this is not one of S.O.A.D.'s best albums, but it is just a different style than their other albums. Some people may think that it is worse than their previous stuff, depending on what they like listening to. Even though Hypnotize is a little bit different than previous albums, it is still a great album and I encourage anybody to go out and pick it up. It is a completely unique experience. Soadfanatic4lyfe. Peace out.… Expand
  16. reaper17112
    Nov 27, 2013
    8
    This album houses probably my favorite song from the band, "Dreaming". Its amazing fast paced melody, and ambiguous lyrics that leave you trying to come up with a meaning, make it one of the bands stand out tracks. The rest of the album for me was good, but not as good as some of their earlier albums. Songs like Attack, Tentative, Holy Mountains, Hypnotize and Soldier Side, left aThis album houses probably my favorite song from the band, "Dreaming". Its amazing fast paced melody, and ambiguous lyrics that leave you trying to come up with a meaning, make it one of the bands stand out tracks. The rest of the album for me was good, but not as good as some of their earlier albums. Songs like Attack, Tentative, Holy Mountains, Hypnotize and Soldier Side, left a standing impression on me, while songs such as Kill Rock and Roll, Ufig, and Vicinity of Obscenity while good songs, didn't appeal to me as much as the rest of the album. Overall, a great album that left you wanting more from the band.… Expand
  17. tonyak
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    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!
  18. Myles#13
    Sep 6, 2006
    10
    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 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'.… Expand
  19. Mithyus
    Apr 16, 2007
    10
    Just as Playlouder translates into words - Intense, terrifying.
  20. martinw
    May 11, 2007
    10
    the best band of its kind!!!
  21. Marc
    Oct 25, 2006
    10
    Rock at it's best!!!
  22. TehBlooBomber
    May 21, 2012
    10
    This album kicks all kinds of ass! Every song on this album had me either bobbing my head, or screaming to the lyrics. I cannot express the joy this album brings me. A 10 would be an understatement for this album, and I love this album more than all the others by System of a Down.
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Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Discussed Album of 2005
41
#41 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Billboard
    70
    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]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    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]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    "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]
See all critic reviews »