Toxicity (Bonus Track Version)

One of most unusual and innovative albums of millennial hard rock, Toxicity remains System of a Down’s best-regarded work. The album takes it cues from the thrashing grooves of bands like Korn, but System of a Down set themselves apart from the nü-metal pack by embracing alternative influences, including punk and Zappa-esque art rock. Abrupt changes in tempo and dynamics are matched by the mercurial vocals of Serj Tankian, who morphs from fire-breathing screamer to impassioned missionary to Arabic folksinger, often within the span of a few seconds. The lyrics often deal with sex, death and politics, but in contrast to other metal bands, the words are presented impressionistically. And for every instance of politicized rage (“Pushing little children with their fully automatics / They like to push the weak around” goes the refrain of “Deer Dance”) there is an outburst of Dadaistic humor: “Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, HEY” (from “Needles”). Against all odds, “Chop Suey!” became an MTV sensation, and despite its strangeness, the song remains one of modern music’s most compelling anthems.