Mezmerize
by System Of A Down
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 17, 2005
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Mezmerize doesn't fail to be unique.
  2. cokemachineglow
    71
    Mezmerize works as a synopsis of the most effective weapons in the band’s arsenal.
  3. Dot Music
    90
    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. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Perhaps they're settling into their identity... Fast and furious often, melodic often, powerful often, diverse always.
  6. E! Online
    91
    You'll be left wondering why other bands aren't so daring.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    It's heavy and hooky. [20 May 2005, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. 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
  9. Pitchfork
    71
    Mezmerize's strongest moments are when the band drops the eccentricities and just rocks out.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Q Magazine
    90
    Rarely are albums this thrillingly original. [Jul 2005, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Rolling Stone
    70
    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.
  15. ShakingThrough.net
    74
    Mezmerize is on par with 2001’s Toxicity as SOAD’s best offering to date.
  16. Spin
    83
    Tankian remains the sort of agitprop trickster whom partisans on both side so fthe aisle are wise to distrust. [Jul 2005, p.101]
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  17. The A.V. Club
    70
    While "smarter than most metal" sounds like faint praise, it may be the best way to describe the faintly praiseworthy System Of A Down.
  18. The Guardian
    70
    Who'd have thought you could describe a metal band as "intriguing"?
  19. Uncut
    80
    Confirms System Of A Down as one of the most innovative bands in modern rock. [Jun 2005, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Village Voice
    80
    Mezmerize should be enough to keep A.D.D.-ers occupied for six months.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2005
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2005
12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 484 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 423 out of 484
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 484
  3. Negative: 39 out of 484
  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.… Full Review »
  2. jfrotylpe532
    Dec 22, 2012
    7
    Same as Hypnotize, BYOB,violent you know what,and This you know what makes me feel like I'm on this song are main reasons why I like this album.
  3. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
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