Mezmerize

Infobox Album
Name = Mezmerize
Type = studio
Artist = System of a Down


Released = May 16, 2005 (EU)
May 17, 2005 (U.S.)
May 18, 2005 (JP)
Recorded = The Mansion
Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, California
Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research
Los Angeles, California
Genre = Alternative metal
Length = 36:15
Label = Columbia (UK)
American/Columbia (U.S.)
Sony Music Japan (JP)

Producer = Rick Rubin
Daron Malakian
Reviews =
* Allmusic rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:6p9yxddb5old~T1 link]
* "Entertainment Weekly" (A-) [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1060789,00.html link]
* "Kerrang!" rating|5|5
* Pitchfork Media (7.1/10) [http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/22229/System_of_a_Down_Mezmerize_Hypnotize link]
* PopMatters rating|9|10 [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/systemofadown-mesmerize.shtml link]
* "Rolling Stone" rating|3.5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/7309436/systemofadown?pageid=rs.Artistcage&pageregion=triple1 link]
* "Stylus Magazine" (B-) [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/system-of-a-down/mezmerize.htm link]
Last album = "Steal This Album!"
(2002)
This album = "Mezmerize"
(2005)
Next album = "Hypnotize"
(2005)
Misc = Singles
Name = Mezmerize
Type = studio
single 1 = B.Y.O.B.
single 1 date = 2005
single 2 = Question!
single 2 date = 2005 Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternative covers
Type = studio


Lower caption = Digipak Extra album cover 2
Type = studio


Lower caption = "Limited Edition" vinyl picture disc Extra album cover 2
Type = studio


Lower caption = German "Limited Edition" vinyl picture disc

"Mezmerize" is the fourth album by System of a Down and the first half of the "Mezmerize/Hypnotize" double album. It was released on May 17, 2005, six months before "Hypnotize".

Album information

Despite the time difference between releases, the album actually takes its name from the lyrics in the song Hypnotize; "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" were recorded within the same time frame. The album features guitarist Daron Malakian sharing most of the vocal work with vocalist Serj Tankian, splitting the vocals at least halfway on most of the tracks.

The album debuted at number one in at least twelve countries [ [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-25-2005/0003689636&EDATE= System Of A Down Mezmerizes Music Fans Worldwide] ] , including the US Billboard 200, and has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA. It was also chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005. The album has sold over 4 million copies worldwide since its release.

The vinyl version contains a slightly different mix of 'Soldier Side (Intro)' with strings.

Reception

* "Rolling Stone" (No. 975, pp.67-70) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - " [E] verything on Mezmerize hits and splits with viciously honed purpose."
* "Spin" (p.101) - "Moods are muddled even more artfully on Mezmerize." - Grade: B+

Track listing

tracklist
lyrics_credits = yes
music_credits = yes

title1 = Soldier Side (intro)
lyrics1 = Malakian
music1 = Malakian
length1 = 1:03

title2 = B.Y.O.B.
lyrics2 = Malakian, Tankian
music2 = Malakian
length2 = 4:15

title3 = Revenga
lyrics3 = Malakian, Tankian
music3 = Malakian
length3 = 3:48

title4 = Cigaro
lyrics4 = Malakian, Tankian
music4 = Malakian
length4 = 2:11

title5 = Radio/Video
lyrics5 = Malakian
music5 = Malakian
length5 = 4:09

title6 = This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song
lyrics6 = Malakian, Tankian
music6 = Malakian
length6 = 2:08

title7 = Violent Pornography
lyrics7 = Malakian
music7 = Malakian
length7 = 3:31

title8 = Question!
lyrics8 = Tankian
music8 = Malakian, Tankian
length8 = 3:20

title9 = Sad Statue
lyrics9 = Malakian, Tankian
music9 = Malakian
length9 = 3:25

title10 = Old School Hollywood
lyrics10 = Malakian
music10 = Malakian
length10 = 2:56

title11 = Lost in Hollywood
lyrics11 = Malakian, Tankian
music11 = Malakian
length11 = 5:20

Personnel

* System of a Down:
** Daron Malakian – vocals, guitar
** Serj Tankian – vocals, keyboard
** Shavo Odadjian – bass
** John Dolmayan – drums

* Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian
* Mixed by Andy Wallace
* Engineered by David Schiffman
* Editing by Jason Lader and Dana Neilsen
* Assistant engineer: Phillip Broussard
* All artwork by Vartan Malakian
* Design: System of a Down and Brandy Flower
* String arrangement: Serj Tankian and Mark Mann
* Worldwide representation: Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group
* Mix protools engineer: John O'Mahony
* Mix assistant engineers: Steve Sisco (Soundtrack) & Joe Peluso (Enterprise)
* Album production coordinator: Lindsay Chase/Braden Asher
* Recording location: The Mansion in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, CA and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research, Los Angeles, CA
* Mixed at Soundtrack Studios, New York, NY And Enterprise Studios, Los Angeles, CA
* Mastered by Vlado Meller at Sony Music Studios, New York, NY

Chart performance

Album

References

succession box
before = "Stand Up" by Dave Matthews Band
title = "Billboard" 200 number-one album
years = May 29, 2005 - June 4, 2005
after = "Out of Exile" by Audioslavesuccession box
before = "Il Divo" by Il Divo
title = Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
years = May 30 - June 5, 2005
after = "Monkey Business" by Black Eyed Peas