Mezmerize
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Mezmerize Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 453 Ratings

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  • Summary: Rick Rubin co-produced this first of two planned 2005 releases for SOAD (with 'Hypnotize' coming in the fall).

Top Track

B.y.o.b.
You! Why d'they always send the poor? Barbarisms by Barbaras With pointed heels Victorious, victories kneel For brand new spankin' deals Marching... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Playlouder
    100
    '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. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    It's heavy and hooky. [20 May 2005, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    90
    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.
  4. Village Voice
    80
    Mezmerize should be enough to keep A.D.D.-ers occupied for six months.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. cokemachineglow
    71
    Mezmerize works as a synopsis of the most effective weapons in the band’s arsenal.
  7. Prefix Magazine
    70
    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.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 217 out of 263
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 263
  3. Negative: 29 out of 263
  1. Deanna
    Mar 5, 2008
    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 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.… Expand
  2. VictorE
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    there are some try-hard metal fans out there but many of them do not accept whats hot and whats not. System of a down are a brilliant band there are some try-hard metal fans out there but many of them do not accept whats hot and whats not. System of a down are a brilliant band and anyone who rates them lower than 9/10 are deemed to not be true metal fans. Go back to your charts and soothing ocean noises while we hard-rockers will get the most out of out cd players and mp3 players.… Expand
  4. OctavioO
    Nov 21, 2005
    10
    Love it. Electrifying music that soothes and liberates the soul. This band has has surpassed its expectations making this album one of their Love it. Electrifying music that soothes and liberates the soul. This band has has surpassed its expectations making this album one of their top albums.… Expand
  5. AdamC.
    Jun 1, 2005
    9
    In an age where cock rock still dominates the airwaves, it is so refreshing to experience an album as spontaneous, unpredictable, and In an age where cock rock still dominates the airwaves, it is so refreshing to experience an album as spontaneous, unpredictable, and satisfying as Mesmerize. Ironically, this needed relief comes from an album with a whole song that brags about the virtues of having a big cock. At a blistering 36 minutes, this album passes over you in the blink of an eye. There are more curveballs and 180 degree angles on this album than on most other current albums twice as long. Many praises sung to SOAD for not only creating an album that restores faith in current hard rock, but also keeps it interesting, even after 20 listens.… Expand
  6. ImUnavailable
    Apr 1, 2012
    9
    Mezmerize features System Of a Down at its craziest but also its smartest. Every track is something very different from the last, a sign thatMezmerize features System Of a Down at its craziest but also its smartest. Every track is something very different from the last, a sign that the band has lost none of its creativity.… Expand
  7. JimmyJ
    Jun 21, 2005
    8
    fugazi hardcore? whoa you have no idea of what you're talkng about, stop name-dropping seriously, makes people look extremely ridiculous
  8. jakepissoff
    May 20, 2005
    0
    i never thought id see the day that system of a down comes out with a shitty cd....ive been into system since their jaw-dropping debut....i i never thought id see the day that system of a down comes out with a shitty cd....ive been into system since their jaw-dropping debut....i was there when they did something unbelievable and actually followed it up amasingly....but this is just horrible....too much deron's shitty voice....too poppy not hard at all anymore....they just barely hang on to some of their old syle with byob, cigaro, and this cocain....but i think that the songs that really kill system of a down are the last 2 songs...."old school hollywood baseball?!?!?" that is not system at all....to all of you new school system fans, i hope your all happy that you killed possibly the greatest and most original bands ever.… Expand

See all 263 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2005
4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2005
12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2005

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