Closing out the second half of 2005 just as its predecessor Mesmerize closed out the first, Hypnotize completes System of a Down's finest hour to date. The two albums form a lean and nearly perfect whole that places this Los Angeles collective in league with the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and Pink Floyd. System has created an enduring body of work that challenges conventional notions about the nature of the contemporary rock album. More practically, they have given listeners a fine second act that attacks and attacks hard, inspiring as much headbanging as vintage Metallica and as thought-provoking as the Minutemen and the Dead Kennedys. (Vocalist Serj Tankian's barbaric yawp sometimes calls to mind head Kennedy Jello Biafra.)

The album's first half features the most brutal, perfect and direct rock `n' roll that's come down the old mainstream this year: "Attack," "Kill Rock `n' Roll," "Tentative" and "U-Fig" lead the charge while "Holy Mountains" gracefully moves us toward this epic's final challenging moments. Latter tracks such as "She's Like Heroin" (Frank Zappa's idea of The Three Penny Opera) and "Lonely Day" fail to maintain the intensity heard early on but not don't prevent Mesmerize and Hypnotize from coming together as one of the most definitive heavy rock albums of the decade. --Jedd Beaudoin

Compressed to **** with the volume jacked. Typical of loudness war merchandise, but taken to a new level. Possibly worse than even Californication. Exhausting and unlistenable.

Just got into an argument this weekend about clipping in commercial releases, so i had to give this cd another listen. I hadn't listened to it since it first came out and it bothered me so much that i probably listened to it 10 times or less. I love System and listened to all of their other albums obsessively, but I could not get into Hypnotize (and not because of the music itself). Anyway, this cd was just as bad as I remembered it.

It was a struggle to choose 1 or 2 stars, but i had to go with 1 since i i feel that even if the music is worth more than 1 star, the point is moot since you cannot listen to it. No one should pay money for this, since that will just encourage the industry's race to the bottom.

Now i'm afraid to buy any newly remastered albums because it takes too much research to find out if it's a legit remaster or (more likely) some hack job where the original album was just compressed and volume boosted.

Since Mezmerize and Hypnotize are like a double album, this is really making me question how i didn't have this strong of a reaction to Mezmerize. Now that i am more sensitive to these things though, i think that if i go back and listen to Mezmerize again, it might ruin the album for me. I will just have to let my time enjoying that album be a pleasant memory and never listen to it again.

Isn't anyone embarrassed?

I can't think of any other band that sounds like these guys. They are truly unique and although I don't like everything that they do, there is certainly a lot of talent to be found here. The music combines elements of Nu-metal, progressive rock, and Zappa-ish mayhem. Some of it is funny, some serious and some just plain over the top. Lead vocalist Serj Tankian has an almost operatic voice that is very different from anyone else I can think of out there. The band remind me a bit of The Mars Volta at times, although SOD's music is more blunt and to the point. Highlights include "Attack", "Kill Rock N Roll", "Lonely Day", and "Soldier Side". This is a band that I have to be in the right mood to listen to, and I kind of have to take them in small doses, but there is no doubt that SOD are one of the more unique bands in mainstream rock today.

The System of a Down have gotten better every CD. Any fan must buy this album. If you don't have this album and you are reading this review to decide if you want to buy this album, then obviously you are not a true fan!

I have to honest and say that this album was disappointing for me, and I love SOAD. Most of the songs were just a bit to over the top for me. Wouldnt recommend unless you like a whole lot of screaming!

A few years back one of the brothers from Oasis (the one that is a complete jerk) said that System of a Down was the Worst Band Ever and that he wondered if it was a sign of the apocalypse that a band this bad could be popular. I hate to agree with a jerk, but he has some very valid points on this topic.