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. 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
  2. rener
    Dec 16, 2005
    10
    best album yet
  3. Dreaming
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    Truly the next step in the progression of System. Where will they go from here?
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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!
  7. 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
  8. Mithyus
    Apr 16, 2007
    10
    Just as Playlouder translates into words - Intense, terrifying.
  9. martinw
    May 11, 2007
    10
    the best band of its kind!!!
  10. Marc
    Oct 25, 2006
    10
    Rock at it's best!!!
  11. 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 »