Hypnotize - System Of A Down
Hypnotize Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 181 Ratings

  • 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.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. 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.
  2. 80
    Hypnotize has a little bit of everything: protest, pretension, comedy, brute force, delicacy, compassion, crassness, fury. [Dec 2005, p.143]
  3. 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.
  4. 60
    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]

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 7 out of 115
  1. martinw
    10
    the best band of its kind!!!
  2. 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. Expand
  3. UnclePhil
    5
    A disappointment, and a clear indication that Rick Rubin ought to have forced the band to pare all this down into one album. While he was at it, he ought to have stolen Daron's mic, and let Serj, the truly distinctive vocalist in the band, shoulder singing and lyrical duties. After hearing "Vicinity of Obscenity," it's hard to know whether we can still trust even Serj for halfway decent lyrics, but at least we wouldn't have to listen to Daron flunk middle school English while he whines about "the most loneliest day of [his] life." 3/4 of the songs from Mezmerize combined with 1/4 of the songs here might have comprised one of the better hard rock (and protest) albums of the decade, but it's too late now. For a band positioned to be making the best music of its career, they sure do sound uninspired. I'm far from hypnotized. Collapse
  4. KyleL
    2
    VERY upsetting! I loved 'Toxicity', but SOAD is getting out of control. I absolutely hated this album.

See all 115 User Reviews