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. NickH.
    Nov 23, 2005
    8
    I can't see myself giving
  2. 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.
  3. cezak
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    pls help me!!
  4. jaimev
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    This is the best album of the year by far, with Francis the Mute coming in a close second.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. rener
    Dec 16, 2005
    10
    best album yet
  9. Dreaming
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    Truly the next step in the progression of System. Where will they go from here?
  10. 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
  11. asylumspadez
    Nov 24, 2011
    8
    The best album behind Toxicity. Hypnotize gives plenty of good tracks and just a good album overall that once again establishes System as one of the best metal bands out there.
  12. ImUnavailable
    Feb 18, 2012
    7
    The follow-up to Mezmerize is a solid album but is less inventive and not quite as intelligent. A few bland songs hold it back but the overall product is still solid.
  13. Spielberg00
    Sep 10, 2011
    6
    Think of this as MEZMERIZE: VOLUME II. It continues with the craziness and unbelievable insanity...but it's not as good as much else by System of a Down.
  14. spadenx
    Dec 9, 2011
    6
    I just dont like System now, They are far too mainstream. This album is too similar to Mezmerize and it doesnt feature that many good tracks, Its just a generic rock/metal album.
  15. skyminster
    May 29, 2012
    7
    Hypnotize is pretty good, most of the songs are very good, but three or four of the songs are weird and extra angry. The best songs are: Tentative, Holy mountains, Hypnotize, and Soldier's side. And the worst songs are: kill rock 'n' roll, stealing society, vicinity of obscenity and shes like heroin (super weird). Why does the guitarist sing so much, he's a bad singer, and the lyrics heHypnotize is pretty good, most of the songs are very good, but three or four of the songs are weird and extra angry. The best songs are: Tentative, Holy mountains, Hypnotize, and Soldier's side. And the worst songs are: kill rock 'n' roll, stealing society, vicinity of obscenity and shes like heroin (super weird). Why does the guitarist sing so much, he's a bad singer, and the lyrics he writes, are terrible and have bad grammar, like, for example: "the most loneliest day of my life"it seemed like serj tankian was a background singer, but at least his vocals were good.… Expand
  16. AnikM
    Apr 21, 2012
    7
    Alright album, it's got some great songs but a lot of the songs sound like carbon copies. Tentative, Attack, Dreaming, Kill Rock N' Roll and U-Fig all sound alike and start off the same way (save for the different guitar notes). It's one of the more repetitive albums I've ever heard but it's still a good album that any metal head should want to listen to. The harmonies on this album areAlright album, it's got some great songs but a lot of the songs sound like carbon copies. Tentative, Attack, Dreaming, Kill Rock N' Roll and U-Fig all sound alike and start off the same way (save for the different guitar notes). It's one of the more repetitive albums I've ever heard but it's still a good album that any metal head should want to listen to. The harmonies on this album are the best ever though, and SOAD can still rock out. Highlights of this album are "Dreaming", "Holy Mountains" and "Soldier Side". Low points of this album are "Stealing Society" and what is IMO the worst SOAD song ever, "Lonely Day".… Expand
  17. 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.
  18. 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
  19. Andremax
    Oct 15, 2013
    8
    Mezmerize is ver amazins
    but i preferes this
    is weird but well-worked
    funny
    my favourite band
    ...............................................................................................................................................................
  20. AadityaW65
    Jul 12, 2015
    7
    What is this abomination? This album disgraces what System of A Down stands for. Mezmerize was at least listenable, or decent, but this is pure **** Complete and absolute **** Vicinity of Obscenity? What the hell was that? The lyrics are so bad! Probably the worst album they've ever come out with out.
  21. cvnefedmn
    Feb 9, 2022
    10
    Guitarist Daron Malakian's voice is much more prominent. It is much more different and pop compared to other albums. Still a great album
  22. DonldTrump_45Th
    Jan 26, 2023
    10
    Hello, this is a default review because i'm forced to use 75 characters. I'll edit this review in the future talking about the game, don't worry ;)

    My final rate is: 10
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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 »