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

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  1. chuckyo
    May 30, 2005
    10
    wow; definitely in a category all its own
  2. Lubo
    May 30, 2005
    10
    genial
  3. SaraLeipsig
    May 30, 2005
    10
    OBVIOUSLY the guy ahead of me has GREAT taste to not like SOAD...lol... I love EVERY song on mezmorize, I could listen to it all day and still not get enough of it!!!
  4. michaelassin
    May 30, 2005
    10
    This CD is fuckin amazing Daron really pulls it off with his insane guitar riffs and unique style and serj's hypnotic voice this Cd just pulls you in with curiousity this Cd won't let you down.
  5. Raymond
    May 29, 2005
    1
    BYOB is possibly the worst song of all time - rivalled only by the rest of the tracks on this album. Random political ranting does NOT make an album good - combine this with dull, uninspired music and suddenly people are calling it a masterpiece? Great music always makes you *feel* something. This only leaves you wondering "was that it?".
  6. DannyP
    May 29, 2005
    10
    Amazing and hard to stop listening toHavent heard anything this good since Toxicity. Cant wait until Autumn and no longer like hollywood. You will Understand when you listen to the last to tracks.
  7. AGuy
    May 28, 2005
    1
    I HATE S.O.A.D. because their lead singer sounds so horrible and annoying. The music is good and hard, and the lyrics are pretty reaserched but the singer ruins it completly. I gave it a 1 because B.Y.O.B. is an alright song.
  8. DavidL
    May 28, 2005
    5
    Even more random and less mature then "Steal This Album!", less frantic then "Toxicity", less surprisng then "System Of A Down", "Mezmerize" is the most banal album System Of A Down has came up with, so far. There's nothing intriguing, thrilling or innovative in "Mezmerize", just good production and intense performances that, here, are not supported by coherent songwritting.
  9. JonathanP
    May 27, 2005
    5
    I cant score this a 0, because I haven't heard it all.. but any album that spawns BYOB deserves some major slagging. It's honestly the worst track I've ever heard on the radio. Dreadful.
  10. MarkM
    May 27, 2005
    5
    I have no idea where this high rating came from. I mean there are maybe 3 memorable songs on this album. Toxicity is soo much better than this album. SOAD fans will enjoy this album, but it is def not as good as its rating suggests.
  11. ChrisK
    May 27, 2005
    10
    Pretentious people are stupid. I can't believe who would listen to Ruins wouldn't listen to this. Screw them. This is one of the best albums of the year. Screw the person who still listens to the entire Matador catalog and thinks he is so indie.
  12. Yoh
    May 27, 2005
    9
    Quite surprising but still awesome, loud, violent and creative. SOAD is this kind of band that have things to say, and they say it well and loud. As a first impression I was a bit surprised hearing Daronon most songs, but after all it's ok. Great album, go for it
  13. NilsV
    May 27, 2005
    10
    This one has it all. To start off with I was slightly put off by Darons singing, but hey, the mans got a great voice, and the polyharmonics he and serj create together are hauntingly beautiful. A lot (30% or so) of their fanbase seem disapointed with this... Damn know-nothing little kids imo. A must have!
  14. PatG
    May 27, 2005
    7
    General consensus appears to be that Mesmerize is 'different', which it certainly is, I liked a few of the songs, bit it wasnt the religious experience listening to 'Toxicity'was on first listening. Yeah they've tried to break a mould but less successfully this time.... BTW, how could a guy who produced 'Reign In Blood' give this album such an avarage General consensus appears to be that Mesmerize is 'different', which it certainly is, I liked a few of the songs, bit it wasnt the religious experience listening to 'Toxicity'was on first listening. Yeah they've tried to break a mould but less successfully this time.... BTW, how could a guy who produced 'Reign In Blood' give this album such an avarage 'radio friendly?' sound? A little dissapointed but I keep the faith ......… Expand
  15. daanv
    May 27, 2005
    9
    this cd rocks
  16. J
    May 27, 2005
    10
    An excellent album through and through, while i admit it is a bit more "poppy" than there previous albums its still brilliant and ads the sound. Basically its white shit hot and some of the chorus' are just too catchy. (see violent pornography) BYOB rains supreme though, my new favourite SOAD song
  17. Jared
    May 27, 2005
    0
    This is seriously the worst band of all time.
  18. DiewittD
    May 26, 2005
    10
    This album is just unique, original, catchy, and best of all, is just plain good. I could listen to this album for days. All of the songs are different from each other, and yet, all of them are System of a Down. Buy this album if you can.
  19. LiR
    May 26, 2005
    10
    This is one of the best cds ive ever heard.
  20. ConorT
    May 26, 2005
    10
    This is the most original and addictive sound around. I can't wait for the second half "Hypnotize".
  21. AlexK
    May 26, 2005
    10
    This is a sic cd. Its only fault is its length. "Lost in Hollywood" shows the diversity of the band. Deron's vocals add another layer of depth to the album.
  22. LukasF
    May 26, 2005
    10
    Soad are the best
  23. Scott
    May 26, 2005
    9
    The songs don't have the fluidity of their work on Toxicity and their self-titled release, but still manage to maintain some sense of cohesiveness. The songs shift so many times in structure and timing that it's sometimes hard to keep up. However, the melodies and hooks are excellent, and so is the music. Metal for those who don't like Metal.
  24. chrisb
    May 25, 2005
    1
    Man this album is awful. This is just as bad as the new Finch album.
  25. jamesb
    May 25, 2005
    10
    great album, maybe even better then toxicity, just maybe :)
  26. MikD
    May 25, 2005
    9
    amazing from start to finish..this one just grows and grows on you. Daron's melodic assault goes into Bad Brains, Queen and Zappa territory this time around. The vocal and guitar pyrotechnics are astounding, but the hooks stick in your brain long after you picked up your jaw off of the floor.
  27. Clutch
    May 25, 2005
    10
    This cd is the most original cd Soad has released. Definitely a welcomed edition to their already classic collection.
  28. JeffH
    May 25, 2005
    1
    How many metal variations of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody can you come up with? And the propagandist lyrics are even less thought out.
  29. GeneV
    May 25, 2005
    7
    My rating is the number of songs on the CD that I will actually listen to. Chris C: System of a Down was NEVER a cookie cutter band. They were always original. If anything they were more original 6 years ago than now. On S.O.A.D, every song just bled into the other perfectly. They knew how to make a complete kick @$$ album. Every lyric was inspired and uncliched. Slowly into the world of My rating is the number of songs on the CD that I will actually listen to. Chris C: System of a Down was NEVER a cookie cutter band. They were always original. If anything they were more original 6 years ago than now. On S.O.A.D, every song just bled into the other perfectly. They knew how to make a complete kick @$$ album. Every lyric was inspired and uncliched. Slowly into the world of pop they fall, making singles instead of albums. Us old fans cross our fingers from one song to the next, in hope of them rising again.… Expand
  30. JoeB
    May 25, 2005
    8
    Not too bad. I'm not typically a fan of speed-rock (or at least not to SOAD standard), but this is just kickass. It's one of those albums that you play loud and rock out to....and that's the best compliment that anyone could give.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. E! Online
    91
    You'll be left wondering why other bands aren't so daring.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    90
    Mezmerize doesn't fail to be unique.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    It's heavy and hooky. [20 May 2005, p.73]
See all critic reviews »