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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TheQuietGamer
    Sep 9, 2016
    10
    An absolute masterpiece that almost never lets up in intensity and heaviness. There's an incredible flow to this album that's only slightly tripped up by the singles. Not enough to sour anyone's opinion, but just noticeable enough to make them feel almost like songs from a different album.

    The majority of the album is blistering, energetic metal with a sense of craziness that makes it    An absolute masterpiece that almost never lets up in intensity and heaviness. There's an incredible flow to this album that's only slightly tripped up by the singles. Not enough to sour anyone's opinion, but just noticeable enough to make them feel almost like songs from a different album.

    The majority of the album is blistering, energetic metal with a sense of craziness that makes it an absolute blast to mosh to. The punk approach to their political lyrics is able to add that extra oomph in it's punch and energy. There's also a refreshing sense of humor that goes along with the seriousness to keep the crazy fun element in tact.

    The band slows things down near the end from the constant barrage of excellent metal in favor of two slower, more melodic and deep tracks, "Aerials" and the title track itself. Toxicity fits in nicely, but Aerials is not the album's strongest moment. The hidden bonus track "Arto," System of Down's adaption of an Armenian hymn keeps things from going out on a low note.

    While disappointing compared to the rest of the tracks, Aerials is by no means a bad song. In fact it's excellent. Just a little at odds with all the rest that Toxicity has to offer. I'm not going to let a slight hiccup in the flow detract from the album's score.

    Toxicity is a masterpiece. A near-flawless work that even with a few faults manages to tower above so many other albums, not just in this genre, but in music as a whole. System of a Down did not disappoint in their second album. They showed real staying power and proved to be a band that stuck in people's minds. Just look at how successful Chop Suey! was/is. It's the song that actually got me into the band all those years ago. All I can say is if you think that song is good, wait until you hear the rest of the album. You may even find they top it. Toxicity is nothing less than a must listen to.    … Expand
  2. AWarGuy
    Dec 30, 2010
    10
    I was rather late to the System of a Down party, only discovering them a few years ago and I loved this album, this is a great album and I strongly recommend this to metal-heads and others alike.
  3. jAbMaN
    Jan 13, 2011
    10
    Every song on the album sounds great to my ears and nobody else sounds close to their greatness of alternative metal and great vocals by the two singers.
  4. MrLonwol
    Jun 5, 2011
    10
    I've never hated a single song by System really.
    This is one of their greatest albums in my opinion.

    And Chop Suey has mixed views on what the lyrics mean.
    One being it's about the "Angels" being the "Good" people who look away from those whose lives have been destroyed.
    The other being about Jesus.
  5. misteurmista
    Jun 23, 2011
    10
    Absolutely brilliant metal record. A must. A perfect mix of amazing riffs, good rhythms and expressive feelings, especially with songs like Chop Suey, Toxicity or the sweet closing title Aerials .
  6. Charlie7777
    Jul 28, 2011
    10
    great album i especially liked aeriels, toxicity, and chop suey but i think that this is SOADs best album. BTW this album deserves way more than a **** 7.3!!!!
  7. mjthadw
    Mar 5, 2012
    10
    This is system of a downs worst album but it is still one of those albums where you can enjoy every track and can't resist the urge to listen to it again.
  8. AnikM
    Apr 21, 2012
    10
    One of the best metal albums of the 21st century. System of a Down is the most melodically-sound metal band on the planet and they manage to create great songs without ever sounding repetitive. Anyone who says otherwise is either a) a hipster/douchebag or b) an idiot.
  9. nicrax96
    Jul 4, 2012
    10
    every song have single potential and with a classic include in the album like chop suey i love all the minutes hearing it. its one of the best rock albums of recent memory
  10. dani_soad
    Jul 14, 2013
    10
    The best album of all times, just amazing...different from anything I've heard before...deep, melodic and epic piece of artwork...no one will ever come close to this perfection, even SOAD
  11. TheBlaiZe
    Jun 16, 2013
    10
    Shut up and listen
  12. Andremax
    Dec 12, 2013
    10
    this is my favorite album, simply the best
    System of a Down is very amazing
    I know this album backwards and not ing me this strange work
    **** the system
  13. Knowe386
    Oct 23, 2014
    10
    Incredible!, One of the best albums ever i love it!, the best songs are "Chop Suey!", "Toxicity" And "Prison Song", Extremely awesome!!!!!!!! I Love System Of A Down
  14. AOTfan123
    Feb 4, 2015
    10
    An awesome album coming from a guy who isn't into Alternative Metal. This album has 14 awesome and catchy songs which can get stuck in your head for awhile, this album has some of the bands best songs such as Chop Suey!, Toxicity, and Prison Song. Thanks to this band I am now officially in love with System of a Down so if you like Alternative Metal then I recommend this album big time.
  15. russiangamer
    Oct 16, 2016
    10
    Шедевр. Благодаря этому альбому узнал об этой группе,с тех пор она одна из моих любимых.
    ЕЕЕ РОК!!!
  16. tacoxninjax
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    This album is perfect through and through, and is the band's finest work. The singles, Chop Suey, Toxicity, and Aerials are all masterpieces, with all them being well instrumented. The best song, in my opinion is Forest. This track is also the second longest, and is my favorite S.O.A.D. track. The vocals were beautifully delivered by Tankian, with Malakian providing beautiful backgroundThis album is perfect through and through, and is the band's finest work. The singles, Chop Suey, Toxicity, and Aerials are all masterpieces, with all them being well instrumented. The best song, in my opinion is Forest. This track is also the second longest, and is my favorite S.O.A.D. track. The vocals were beautifully delivered by Tankian, with Malakian providing beautiful background vocals. I recommend it to many fans of metal, and is one of my favorite albums ever.… Expand
  17. LeoDiCaprioFan
    Jun 5, 2016
    10
    I love this album! This represents real thrash metal. Every song is the best!. Their music is really tense and well made by the band. I wouldn't say this album is perfect because no album is perfect. This is just terrific!
  18. MentalMetalGuy
    Oct 4, 2016
    10
    This album was a revolution in the heavy metal sound. Its so unique, and bizarre, yet so addictive and easy to listen to. The songs are so short, and fast, regardless they do manage to set a mood, and more importantly discuss important political issues, while at the same time having a comedic edge, with songs like "Bounce".

    Here are some of the more memorable tracks of the album: The    This album was a revolution in the heavy metal sound. Its so unique, and bizarre, yet so addictive and easy to listen to. The songs are so short, and fast, regardless they do manage to set a mood, and more importantly discuss important political issues, while at the same time having a comedic edge, with songs like "Bounce".

    Here are some of the more memorable tracks of the album:

    The Prison Song:
    The lyrics in this one discuss how the US uses drugs to fund their illegal wars, while imprisoning the population for drug use in a hypocritical way. The song sounds so aggressive, and violent, and the vocals show of an insane range, with both vocalists creating a range of voices. No band in heavy metal history have a sound quite like SOAD, and this song perfectly captures their sound.

    Deer Dance:
    A song about the military abusing power, the chorus is so catchy "PUSHING LITTLE CHILDREN...WITH THEIR FULLY AUTOMATICS" a great song to get the listener hyped, and exhilarated. Perhaps though the great riffs on this song set the speed in a way which the vocals don't on this song in comparison to the others.

    Chop Suey:
    This is SOAD's defining anthem. Only this band can create such a grand emotional climax within only 3 minutes. Catchy, fast and subtly beautiful, with a faint piano background delivers the unique lyrics and creates what is considered SOAD’s masterpiece.

    Bounce:
    Bounce is hilarious. It is literally about a guy and a pogo stick. The slightly psychotic delivery is what makes the song so visceral and respectable, despite its ridiculous nature. It is legitimately funny, and just downright crazy.

    Forest:
    Another great tune, some outstanding riffs on this one, and that drum intro is quite interesting. Another lyrically heavy song, particularly aggressive toward religion, this is perfect example of how refined SOAD’s style was in this album.

    ATWA:
    Just another one of their staple songs, which keeps the quality of this album so consistently high that not many other albums could achieve.

    Toxicity:
    My favourite SOAD song and this one truly is a masterpiece. From the very intro the frantic drumming and riffs set a brutal tone, but in classic SOAD style the chorus is slow and melodic. The lyrics are so bizarre and abstract with lines like “eating seeds as a pastime activity”, the song really becomes its own form of music.

    Psycho:
    Yet another anthem, this one is quite repetitive and the chorus quite literally is the most brutal one in this album, as well as the lyrics being slightly subpar, with some clear writer’s block, where they rhyme bizarre phrases. This also features a rare SOAD solo, which is an outstanding change of pace, and having so few solos in an album is truly a great way to appreciate the solos when they do in fact come.

    Aerials:
    The greatest riff on the album is on this heavy song. The guitar work is quite impressive on this song. As for the slow choruses they are here, although I find the lyrics to be a bit too cliché for my liking, which certainly lowers some of the quality of this song for me. Otherwise, this is the perfect way to end the album.

    SOAD was a band which was not afraid to push the limits of their genre, and create some insane and extreme music, that can be appreciated on a casual level. The pacing of this album is perfect, being the perfect blend of style and entertainment, pushing the artistic boundaries but keeping a feel constant throughout all of the fast and short songs. The manic singing, intense and fast drumming and the iconic riffs this album is a true metal masterpiece, in the sense of defining the genre, and not just sticking to the norm. This is why SOAD deserves every ounce of respect it receives, more so than other metal acts.    … Expand
  19. brouweg002
    Mar 1, 2018
    10
    i loved this album, a few of my favourite songs from this album are: chop suey!, toxicity, deer dance, X, forest, shimmy, science and aerials/arto. this album is for you if you like heavy metal, alternative metal, hard rock or NU metal like me. i really like the two singers (serj tankian and daron malakian). also the drums at the beginning of toxicity are actually the best thing. thanksi loved this album, a few of my favourite songs from this album are: chop suey!, toxicity, deer dance, X, forest, shimmy, science and aerials/arto. this album is for you if you like heavy metal, alternative metal, hard rock or NU metal like me. i really like the two singers (serj tankian and daron malakian). also the drums at the beginning of toxicity are actually the best thing. thanks for reading my review of this album i give it 10/10… Expand
  20. spenceryang8
    Feb 3, 2019
    10
    An out-and-out masterpiece of alternative metal, System of a Down's sophomore album was a breath of fresh air amid an ocean of cringeworthy rap rock verses and down-tuned two-note riffs.
  21. cvnefedmn
    Feb 8, 2022
    10
    I think this album is the best album of the 21st century. Chop suey and Toxicity are extremely clevery made songs. The lyrics of this album are way too good compared to other metal bands (except for "Jet pilot"). This albums songs never gets boring. I think even God is listening to this masterpiece
  22. MrIslamic
    Apr 28, 2021
    10
    This album is iconic, the more I listen to it the more I like it. The hits (Chop Suey, Toxicity) are some of the best in the genre. Every song is very good at the very least.
  23. Alexander838
    Sep 28, 2021
    10
    10/10**********************************************************************
  24. paaaauuuuiuiu
    Jan 7, 2023
    10
    hello this is the best album of system of a down on my opinion because i like it so much more than jdvnjasornicv gnsdvufb gvosdu hvngcsdfhkvng oairuencuvw
  25. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    10
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  26. 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.
  27. IanM.
    Sep 9, 2005
    9
    Wow... this is an awesome album. Seamlessly combining heavy metal with slight elements of punk and rap (minus the suck factor), they've created a masterpiece. Leading off with the insane "Prison Song", this album keeps you riveted until the final song (the suprisingly calm, bu still awesome, "Aerials"). This album (especially on hit single "Chop Suey!" and the title track) has some Wow... this is an awesome album. Seamlessly combining heavy metal with slight elements of punk and rap (minus the suck factor), they've created a masterpiece. Leading off with the insane "Prison Song", this album keeps you riveted until the final song (the suprisingly calm, bu still awesome, "Aerials"). This album (especially on hit single "Chop Suey!" and the title track) has some awesomely intense moments, and while it may not be as heavy as other metal albums, it still rocks out loud. Only thing keeping this away from a 10 is how it kinda drags in some places. Great job, SOAD.… Expand
  28. EleanorD
    Apr 19, 2006
    9
    Although it's not their best piece of work, haunting melodies, socially aware/"quacky" lyrics, and crushing riffs make this album absolutely incredable. Good work, mad professors!
  29. 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!
  30. DanielM
    Aug 30, 2004
    9
    I picked this album up about a week after it's release, all because of only listening to "Chop Suey" once, and after I popped it into my CD player, it didn't leave for weeks, this album can be summed up in one word, Beutiful.
Page:

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 »