Hypnotic Insanity
System of a Down are cruising easily through the polluted music world at the moment. After a blistering collection of live dates over the UK and a awe-inspiring performance at Download as well as one album that leapt effortlessly into the top section of the album chart, I feel safe in saying that 2005 has very much been the year for this prolific band that breaks so many boundaries.
'Hypnotize' is the title track off the second album in the set. The song is more in line with 'Question!' from 'Mezmerize'. It begins with a melancholy feel before building into gloriously catchy vocal work. There's something about the single that just cries out fairytales... there's an abstract feel to the vocal play between Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian, but it doesn't mean the song is any less challenging. It might be the quieter end of their spectrum, but the song shows just what is in store with the new album. There's something more real, yet more chaotic and drug induced about the second part of their 2005 double album. No matter what though, there's the addictive quality found right from the very beginning of their musical career. This is a band who cannot help but let charisma ooze from every pore of their layered, crafted music.