Day 0860 - System of a Down

System of a Down "System of a Down" (1998) - got it

Wow, now that is a solid debut!   Punishingly heavy, yet pinpoint precise riffs; quirkiness, moments of high drama, all rolled into this one release.

System started life as a band called Soil, created by Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian.  Their manager Shavo Odajian eventually joined on bass.  Later, drummer John Dolmayan joined, the band attracted the attention of producer (and 90% beard) Rick Rubin who signed the band to his American Records label and they were off and running.

From the opening track, there's a run of guitar harmonics that sound almost fun, then the riffs come crashing in and the onslaught starts.  The band moves between metal, jazz, ska, melodic alt-rock, often shifting genres within the same song, and this is matched by singer Tankian whose voice can swing from beautiful melody to throat-rending screams and growls all with lyrics that speak of intelligence, political anger and a sense of humour.

This combination is used to staggering effect, like on single "Sugar" that moves from a heavy rock opening to a bouncy verse then into claustrophobic bridge with Tankian whispering, squeaking and roaring while loud guitar/bass/drum stabs come crashing in around him and building faster and faster to the conclusion.   "Spiders" offers a more straight ahead melodic reprieve.   "Peephole" has a demented circus vibe that suggests these guys have listened to some Mr Bungle at some point.   Album closer ""P.L.U.C.K." (Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers) addresses the Armenian genocides of the early 20th century.   All four band members are of Armenian descent and have worked to raise awareness of this event.