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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Needle Drop

This is, hands down, one of the greatest Metal records of all time. Not only in terms of it's production, it's ferocity, but also songwriting as well.

100
Drowned in Sound

There is absolutely no hesitation when I tell you that ‘Toxicity’ is light years ahead of the bands debut. System are probably the most vital band around in the big, wide world of metal right now. In a world where metal is becoming a predictable laughing stock, System are a shining light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

100
Blabbermouth.net

In an era where countless soundalike bands are rolling off the corporate music industry assembly line, SYSTEM OF A DOWN have established themselves, with Toxicity, as one of the few bands that people may still be talking about ten years from now. No sophomore slump here.

100
AllMusic

Hands down one of 2001's top metal releases, Toxicity may well prove to be a lasting heavy metal classic to boot.

90
Alternative Press
The fast parts are faster, the hard parts are harder, and the melodic sections are more memorable.
82
Pitchfork

Toxicity is heavy, making abundant use of the juiciest guitar distortion in its class thanks to the density of Rick Rubin’s production. But more importantly, the album is restless, bounding from one idea to another before the first can sink in.

80
Q Magazine
Matches Slipknot for manic intensity while employing a freeform approach to songcraft which invites comparison to the lunatic-fringe rock of the late '60s.
70
Rolling Stone
System of a Down's sophomore album thrives on this sort of urgency, the adrenal rush that insists there's no time for ambiguity.
70
Slant Magazine
System of a Down rises to the top of the shallow nü-metal talent pool, and with some smart lyrics, gets out and dries off.
67
Entertainment Weekly
They have a sense of dynamics, tempering their heaviness with unexpected touches of acoustic folksiness and prog-rock flourishes.
BradTasteMusic
100

When I first discovered SOAD, I loved literally everything these guys did. They introduced me into heavier music as a whole. As an adult though, I understand a lot of the themes that I didn’t care for as a kid. These songs feel so rich and well written on top of sounding impeccable. The flow of this album is perfect. It’s fun, and hopelessly sarcastic about how fucked things are.

The hooks are the best. The riffs are the best. The lyrics are amazing. I love the debut, but this ... read more

UltimateLifeFrm
100

INJECT THIS ADRENALINE INTO MY VEINS!

Toxicity is the 2nd album from American heavy metal band System of a Down, released in September 2001. It was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles throughout 2000-2001.

After the release of their self-titled debut album in 1998, the group expanded on their sound, incorporating more melody, harmonies & singing. While being categorised as alternative metal, Toxicity also manages to blend together several other genre elements like folk, ... read more

ThePurpleIdiot
100

YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT HOW I FEEL!!! I DON’T FEEL THERE ANYMORE!!! (ANYMOREEEEEEE!!!)

Before I fully get into this review, I hold this album very closely nowadays, for multiple reasons I’ll get into right now. This album has been climbing far up my picks of favorite albums ever since I first heard it a while ago. Now, it is honestly my tenth favorite album that I’ve ever heard. So, this album holds a very special and unique place in my heart, an absolute favorite of ... read more

EntDoesStuff
100

RE-REVIEW

This has to be not only one of the best rock albums, this is one of the best albums ever. The emotion in Serj's voice, Daron's mesmerizing guitar, Shavo's deep bass, and Daron's inhuman drumming go so well together here. Some song's lyrics may be a bit concerning at times, and some may have deep meaning. This is what I love about this album, it can go from "JUMP POGO POGO POGO POGO POGO" to something REALLY REALLY deep. And I still think that no song is bad here.

Songs I ... read more

waffles
96

Favorite Tracks: Prison Song, Needles, Deer Dance, Jet Pilot, X, Chop Suey!, Bounce, Forest, ATWA, Science, Shimmy, Toxicity, Psycho, Aerials, Arto

Gian0104
98

REAL SHIT I NEED INJECTED INTO MY VEINS

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Track List

1Prison Song
3:21
95
2Needles
3:13
93
3Deer Dance
2:54
94
4Jet Pilot
2:06
90
5X
1:58
89
6Chop Suey!
3:30
98
7Bounce
1:54
89
8Forest
4:00
95
9ATWA
2:56
95
10Science
2:42
92
11Shimmy
1:50
90
12Toxicity
3:38
98
13Psycho
3:45
93
14Aerials
3:55
97
15Arto
2:13
Hidden Track
82
Total Length: 44 minutes

Year End Lists

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