Toxicity
by System Of A Down
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 454 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 417 out of 454
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 454
  3. Negative: 26 out of 454

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  1. JohnR
    Aug 24, 2004
    9
    This is a really good album, but I didn't quite follow what they were talking about in that song 'Jet Pilot' I like nearly every song on here but they could be a little more direct with some of their messages. -Peace/Rock Out!
  2. TomM
    Jul 26, 2004
    10
    This album kicks ass!!! Brilliant acoustics, transitions, and rhythms track after track.
  3. AndrewM.
    Jul 13, 2004
    10
    My favorite bands are probably Radiohead and Modest Mouse, but System of a Down is really something different. I really really like this cd. It is very chaotic and unrestrained by boundaries that hold other albums (such as following a predictable music pattern)
  4. BrettC
    May 27, 2004
    10
    this album is nothin but head banging awesomeness
  5. allieB
    May 24, 2004
    10
    umm i'm not quite sure wat's wrong with the people at "Uncut" but unless you're really close minded and have no general taste in music SOAD kicks ass. and so does this album. enough said.
  6. AndrewF
    Apr 18, 2004
    10
    A piece of musical brilliance. 'Toxicity' is a wonderful piece of work, and manages to combine poignant political messages with dadaist rants. The quick changes in tempo and dynamics suggest schizophrenia, but the album comes together through it's message of the increasingly mechanized world we live in. The album starts with a bang with the hard-hitting "Prison Song" A piece of musical brilliance. 'Toxicity' is a wonderful piece of work, and manages to combine poignant political messages with dadaist rants. The quick changes in tempo and dynamics suggest schizophrenia, but the album comes together through it's message of the increasingly mechanized world we live in. The album starts with a bang with the hard-hitting "Prison Song" that's sure to get any alternative club going on. The short pieces are widely misunderstood- to many, as "Bounce" seems to be utterly pointless. In a sense, that is the intent- System of a Down has always had Dadaist tendanices (Dada is a art and literary form that tries to be as out-there as possible; the Dadaists see the world as going nowhere, and through their 'meaningless' art are actually commenting on the nihilistic attitudes of culture and society), and "Bounce" hits the point very well- so Serj has a pogo stick eh? Every song is a keeper, and none should be skipped to get the full meaning of the album. Ignore the critics. I always find music critics to be useless and quite brain-dead any way. They tend to rate on how an album SHOULD be, not what it IS; they enjoy the safe side of music, and are sure to condemn any artist that even remotely uses shock tactics (i.e. Marilyn Manson, who is actually one of the best lyricists of all time, surpassing many of the Grammy winners of past years) to get their message, no matter how true, how fresh, how brilliant, across. 'Toxicity' is f***ing brilliance.… Expand
  7. rianr
    Apr 17, 2004
    10
    it is great and has alot of great sounding songs that are actually worth listening to
  8. Thedevilissolovely
    Feb 13, 2004
    10
    Dave E! please understand that system of a down are not childish but very political. they are also one hell of a band SOAD RULE
  9. JimmyW
    Oct 20, 2003
    10
    all of the songs are freaking sweet except for areials
  10. MattiasL
    Oct 6, 2003
    10
    System Of A Down rules this unholy world!!
  11. imoc
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    i love system of a down and diz album ... but i cant find any of their concertz???
  12. fanny
    Sep 9, 2003
    8
    it's my fave band but denifintely not my fave cd of theirs, s.o.a.d self titled was much better but this one still kicks ass
  13. liord
    Aug 29, 2003
    10
    this album is really great!!! i loved the cd very much! i hope system will bring us more albums like this one
  14. RyanR
    Aug 25, 2003
    9
    Great album. Haven't listend to Steal This Album or the original but this got me hooked. My complaints are that some of the songs seem to have no point (like Pogo). And others are done and over with so fast I could cry. I know, quick review but, rants aside, this is a kick ass album.
  15. Ashm
    Mar 20, 2003
    10
    This cd kicks huge ass and if u dont like it yer retarded
  16. IanS
    Mar 2, 2003
    10
    Best album I have ever heard...buy it, you'll love it. I did
  17. hestont
    Dec 18, 2002
    10
    this is an excellant album
  18. PulahkC
    Nov 9, 2002
    10
    SYSTEM OF A DOWN is no doubt one of the best bands ever. All the songs on the album have great instrumentals and brilliant messages! God bless these Armenians! P.S.: "aomb.k", you brain-dead goof, this is a site aboutSystem Of A Down, not Tool or Dream Theater!
  19. SlashJ.
    Sep 13, 2002
    10
    GREAT CD , this cd was a masterpiece and surely to god one of the best cds of the year
  20. Insanesuperstar340
    Sep 10, 2002
    10
    It is awsome all of the songs on toxicity rule.
  21. AlysiaS.
    Aug 24, 2002
    10
    If the soul is a garden, System of a Down is the very earth itself.
  22. AlinaB.
    Aug 23, 2002
    10
    This album is the best that I've ever heard in my life. I could listen to it ten times a day and never get bored with it.
  23. JohnC
    Jul 23, 2002
    10
    No other album can touch this other than maybe Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets by Metallica. Toxicity incorporates metal, high tempos, intensity, creativity, and well written guitar and drum rifts like no other
  24. TJWilliams
    Jul 17, 2002
    8
    A good album, no doubt, but nowhere near the energy of their self-titled debut. The uncut review, however, is simply absurd. They lost a bit of edge in Toxicity and traded it for melody. Either way, they do more with metal than any other band out there. The Dead Kennedys of Metal...
  25. DrGlock
    Jul 15, 2002
    10
    System of a Down has re-inspired my passion for fast, angry, aggressive heart pounding metal. Combining skate punk, thrash, ska, and metal to a unique and individual sound, this is easily my #1 album of 2002!
  26. NyssaL
    Jun 6, 2002
    10
    oh my god, i love this cd. it totally blows my mind. beyond any belief, this is probably 1 of my fave cds of all time
  27. AxelG.
    May 14, 2002
    10
    Same words.Best album of the year!
  28. Karen
    Mar 31, 2002
    10
    best album to come out in a long time. brilliant
  29. dan
    Mar 26, 2002
    10
    kicks ass
  30. DominiqueA.
    Mar 25, 2002
    10
    This album is the Shit!!!! Tey are by far the best band in a looooonng time! I can't take my ears off of this extroadonarily sick/ingenius metal. ROCK ON SYSTEM OF A DOWN!!!!
  31. BubbaC.
    Mar 25, 2002
    10
    This album is awesome
  32. JodieR.
    Mar 25, 2002
    10
    Anyone who states that this album is sellout must be retarded...........it ROCKS!!!
  33. [Anonymous]
    Mar 24, 2002
    10
    This album is the BEST
  34. Froggy
    Mar 18, 2002
    8
    Man... I am a Drum`n`bass fanatic, but this stuff caught me at once. Kicks serious ass!
  35. JessicaF.
    Mar 11, 2002
    10
    Their Cd rocks!
  36. Aerials
    Mar 3, 2002
    10
    Another one of the best albums I have ever owned. They must make another CD
  37. JeffG.
    Mar 1, 2002
    10
    The best album I have heard in 10 years (Pearl Jam, Ten). This music certainly psyches you up on your way to work. Complete brilliance. The dynamics are close to matching Metlallica's "Master of Puppets".
  38. PaulH.
    Feb 27, 2002
    10
    Awsome. Truely awsome. If "Bounce" doesn't get everyone at your local rock club onto the dancefloor and the DJ pogo-ing along aswell then I'll eat my copy of the album. With "Chop Suey!" and "Toxicity" they've surpassed the magnificence of Sugar. If the professional reviewers are so out of touch with what people actually want to listen to then I'm going to apply for a Awsome. Truely awsome. If "Bounce" doesn't get everyone at your local rock club onto the dancefloor and the DJ pogo-ing along aswell then I'll eat my copy of the album. With "Chop Suey!" and "Toxicity" they've surpassed the magnificence of Sugar. If the professional reviewers are so out of touch with what people actually want to listen to then I'm going to apply for a job! First class.… Expand
  39. ChopSuey
    Feb 23, 2002
    10
    SICK!!!!!!!!
  40. JamesH.
    Feb 17, 2002
    9
    It's just simply awesome
  41. JasmineS.
    Feb 16, 2002
    10
    i love this album and toxicitys music its not as boring as most bands out these days coz the music is so full on and fun to listen to . to toxicity keep up the good work and dont listen to the critics they dont know what they're on about!!!!!
  42. KevinP.
    Feb 5, 2002
    10
    This is best metal album i've ever stumbled over! It has some of the war at heavy metal style to it, but it's better because of the way they use there softer melodies. I wasn't going to buy it until I heard it when a person put it on in my school weight lifting gym, and now I cant stop listning to it!
  43. JamesW.
    Feb 5, 2002
    10
    sweet album,system of a down kix @$$!!!
  44. DylanO.
    Feb 2, 2002
    10
    A must have for any fan of hard rock, System of a Down's Toxicity combines intense rhythms, great vocals, and incredibly well-done guitar and drum-work. The melody of a song can switch from slow and melodic to upbeat and loud in an instant. The lyrics are well written, and they touch on major issues such as drug use, homelessness and overcrowding, and police brutality. Bottom line: A must have for any fan of hard rock, System of a Down's Toxicity combines intense rhythms, great vocals, and incredibly well-done guitar and drum-work. The melody of a song can switch from slow and melodic to upbeat and loud in an instant. The lyrics are well written, and they touch on major issues such as drug use, homelessness and overcrowding, and police brutality. Bottom line: if you're a fan of rock, get this CD.… Expand
  45. MattH.
    Feb 2, 2002
    10
    Perfect
  46. RiaA.
    Feb 1, 2002
    10
    This cd kix Azz!!
  47. DarkSpawn
    Jan 30, 2002
    10
    Having seen System of a Down live and listened to their albums i fail to see how anyone can not like this fantastic and groundbreaking original band
  48. ChristianL.
    Jan 24, 2002
    10
    I LOVE IT. AND I LIVE FOR SYSTEM!!!! Every day i hear toxicity!!!! SYSTEM I LIVE FOR U!!!!! Its just to bad that system is not coming to denmark :o( BUt i still live/love them!!!!!!!!
  49. ChrisP.
    Dec 9, 2001
    7
    I was seduced by the amazing dynamics of Chop Suey! and decided to take a chance on this album which I knew would probably be the heaviest thing in my CD collection by far. I can't say I love it, but I still like it.
  50. Ian
    Nov 29, 2001
    9
    Points the finger at referential critics and laughs as they struggle to categorise it. Nonsense buzz phrases of "prog rock" and "time changes" need to be thrown away and just listen to the damn thing. Done? Clearer? Correct, it rocks both body and brain, and that's all you need to know.
  51. OllyH.
    Nov 18, 2001
    10
    Amazing, so diverse. SOAD songs can jump from one place to another in an instant. Amazing melodies with the same "craziness" of the first album - best album yet of the 21st century.
  52. NotDavidAn
    Nov 12, 2001
    10
    SOAD is the poster child for the "nu-metal is not all bad" agruement. Rarely does a band come along that breaks all the rules so wonderfully.
  53. TimL.
    Nov 11, 2001
    10
    I love the SOAD
  54. AnnaH.
    Nov 11, 2001
    10
    I love SOAD. Serj's lyrics are so original and his voice is wonderful.
  55. AdamB.
    Nov 7, 2001
    10
    SOAD is a great rock band that still doesn't take them selves to seriously even with all their success.
  56. MirandaA.
    Nov 5, 2001
    10
    Its crazy, just like it should be. Damned awesome.
  57. DarwinL.
    Oct 21, 2001
    9
    system of a down has gone to another level with their music while still having the addicting sounds that made the first album great.
  58. JamesR.
    Oct 16, 2001
    10
    impossible to classify. they have come a long way since their first recording. The melodies have an almost comical feel, while touching on the gravest of issues. intense and brilliant
  59. StewartB.
    Oct 16, 2001
    10
    the most original sound from a metal act that i have ever heard, it blew me away. it doesn't get any better than this
  60. AaronH.
    Oct 12, 2001
    10
    if you've come this far and you liked the last album, you're wasting your time sitting here, go get it. From Hard Death to Light Melody in a single song, brilliant...
  61. AaronH.
    Oct 12, 2001
    10
    if you've come this far and you liked the last album, you're wasting your time sitting here, go get it. From Hard Death to Light Melody in a single song, brilliant...
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2001
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Sonicnet
    60
    When System's at their best, the Los Angeles four-piece evokes most vividly punk politicos the Dead Kennedys.... Yet the band sputters out when the lyrics are awash in vagueness.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    30
    Toxicity is virtually unlistenable: thrash metal splintered into a million pieces by unnecessary time changes, topped off with excruciatingly theatrical vocals. [Dec 2001, p.118]
  3. L.A. Weekly
    90
    Cast in layers upon layers of aural intricacy, Toxicity charters new frontiers, yet it’s still grinding rock at its most deafening.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »