Mezmerize - System Of A Down
Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. 'Mesmerize' is a frantic, frenetic brutal assault on the senses. It mashes up the most intense hardcore, the fiercest fire-starting punk rock with ridiculously complex riffing that's like amphetamine prog.
  2. It's heavy and hooky. [20 May 2005, p.73]
  3. You'll be left wondering why other bands aren't so daring.
  4. Even if "Hypnotize" is simply more of the same, with SOAD operating at such astonishing creative and emotional heights, it'll still leave every other metal band on the planet scrabbling in the dust.
  5. Mezmerize doesn't fail to be unique.
  6. Rarely are albums this thrillingly original. [Jul 2005, p.120]
  7. There is no other hard rock band around who can match the audacity, intensity, progressive nature, and accessibility of System of a Down, and with Mezmerize, they've simply topped themselves.
  8. 83
    Tankian remains the sort of agitprop trickster whom partisans on both side so fthe aisle are wise to distrust. [Jul 2005, p.101]
  9. If you want it to be, it's brilliant. It's also a record so ambitious, so angry, and so mad-as-a-goose that there are otherwise intelligent people who will hear it once and straight away deem it an interminable racket. [30 Apr 2005, p.61]
  10. 80
    Confirms System Of A Down as one of the most innovative bands in modern rock. [Jun 2005, p.110]
  11. Perhaps they're settling into their identity... Fast and furious often, melodic often, powerful often, diverse always.
  12. Mezmerize should be enough to keep A.D.D.-ers occupied for six months.
  13. Mezmerize is on par with 2001's Toxicity as SOAD's best offering to date.
  14. Mezmerize's strongest moments are when the band drops the eccentricities and just rocks out.
  15. Mezmerize works as a synopsis of the most effective weapons in the band's arsenal.
  16. At its reckless best, which is a lot, Mezmerize is thrilling confrontation, a graphic reflection of a nation tearing itself apart in anger, fear and guilt.
  17. Who'd have thought you could describe a metal band as "intriguing"?
  18. There's no filler here; there's barely space for a spare breath. But amidst the bombast, there are a few moments of clarity, and though fleeting, they're certainly worth the wait.
  19. While "smarter than most metal" sounds like faint praise, it may be the best way to describe the faintly praiseworthy System Of A Down.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 344 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 29 out of 252
  1. Deanna
    10
    Possibly SOAD's best album. It is pretty much perfect. Some people say it is too political. 2 of the songs are Violent Pornography and This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song. Political? Not so much. It really has something fror everyone. If you like fast, in-your-face songs, then B.Y.O.B. might be the song for you. If you like slow, depressing, skip to Lost In Hollywood. And there is everything inbetween. Full Review »
  2. Mezmerize is a good album by system of a down, it's about the same of hypnotize, well, it may be a little worse, because of the dreadful song called: Old school Hollywood, and even if it is taking the mick out of pop music (which I don't know if it is or not) it's still bad. Lost in Hollywood was great, but it wasn't good enough to be the last song of system of a down ever. But B.Y.O.B, Revenga, Question! and Sad statue were good, well they weren't just good, they were brilliant! But, I have to say, the two albums: Hypnotize and Mezmerize weren't as good as toxicity, which is the best system of a down album. Full Review »
  3. 9
    Very diverse album with an anti-establishment theme to it. Every song tells a great story and melody-wise, it's the best metal album I've ever heard. Daron's shrilling vocals mixed with Serj's power deep vocals creates an amazing sound. You have to pick this album up. Highlights of this album include "B.Y.O.B.", "Radio/Video" and "Lost in Hollywood" and the low point of this album is probably "Old School Hollywood", but that song's not even bad. It's experimental, much like the rest of the album but it's still great. Full Review »