More Info On System of a Down's "Mesmerize/Hypnotize" Album

Band Photo: System Of A Down (?)

More information has been revealed about the upcoming SYSTEM OF A DOWN album, "Mesmerize/Hypnotize." The band is currently mixing the album with Andy Wallace (who mixed System's multi-million selling "Toxicity"). No firm release date is set, but it is looking like a Spring release. As previously announced, "Mesmerize/Hypnotize" is a two-disc set with a unique release plan - the first disc ("Mesmerize") will be released in the Spring, and the second disc ("Hypnotize") will come out about six months after that.

A few journalists have come into the mixing studio and heard a handful of the new songs. Here's what a couple of them have to say:

GUITAR WORLD:

System of a Down fans have a few surprises coming their way when the group releases its much anticipated new album "Mesmerize/Hypnotize." For one thing, says guitarist Daron Malakian, "It's a very different sound for us. But it's not as if we've lost our identity."

Lyrically, the album takes in all aspects of life, according to the guitarist: "relationships, sex, drugs, Hollywood..." But as always with System of a Down, listeners can expect to hear some pointed sociopolitical commentary.

"I just express what I see," says the guitarist. "And what I see is a country and a world where the pornography is getting more violent, television is getting more violent, our cravings are getting more violent. We watch reality TV now and get off watching people choke on turds. That's entertaining to us at prime time."

And from the UK’s KERRANG!:

"My cock is much bigger than yours!"

You can't help but crack a smile as the first line of 'Cigaro,' a brand new track from the forthcoming System of a Down opus 'Mesmerize/Hypnotize' blasts from the speakers of the band's Burbank recording studio.

As opening gambits go, it's an attention grabber to say the least; funny, provocative and instantly recognizable as another slice of oddball genius from one of the world's most innovative rock bands.

There are only three finished tracks for us to pore over: the aforementioned 'Cigaro,' "Hypnotize,' and "Kill Rock'n'roll.' However, the typical SOAD twist means that no one song is just about one subject and the response to any question can go off on a seemingly random tangent before you can see the whole picture. Interviewing System of a Down is like staring at one of those magic eye pictures that changes and shifts depending on how you look.

"In 'Cigaro,' I'm not really singing about my cock, I'm singing about an ego based attitude that's out there, explains [guitarist/songwriter/producer] Daron [Malakian]. "Why does one person have the right to go and kill, and when another person kills, he's a terrorist? Is it because I have a bigger army than you? How do we differentiate that? Some people will take it in a sexual way and some people will think about it a bit more."