Six months after System of a Down's Mezmerize debuted at number one on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, the uncompromising and outspoken quartet returns with Hypnotize, part two of a promised two-album set. American Recordings/Columbia will release two versions of Hypnotize, the band's fifth studio album, on November 22.
Adding to the excitement is System of a Down's just-announced American Music Award nomination for "Favorite Artist." This marks the second time the group has been nominated in the Alternative category. The American Music Awards will be held in Los Angeles the same day Hypnotize hits stores.
Both the CD and DualDisc versions feature 12 new songs as well as artwork by Vartan Malakian, father of SOAD's guitarist/singer Daron. The packaging for Hypnotize is specially designed to physically join Mezmerize and Hypnotize together, forming one unified product with continuous artwork. In addition, the DualDisc edition will contain exclusive behind-the-scenes footage showing the making of both records.
More importantly, the albums interlock musically. The final track on Hypnotize, "Soldier Side," completes "Soldier Side Intro," which appears as the opening track on Mezmerize.
The Los Angeles Times credits Mezmerize for "restoring some artistic credibility and political attitude to hard rock" and touts the two-album set as "what figures to be the rock double play of the year" in their Fall music preview.
Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, Hypnotize maintains System of a Down's reputation as full-spectrum agitators who adeptly channel righteous rage into compelling, provocative and relevant rock. Daron, singer Serj Tankian, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan recorded some 30 tracks for Mezmerize/Hypnotize at Rubin's Laurel Canyon studio between May and December of 2004. The songs are more complex, more progressive, more unorthodox and more experimental than ever, while retaining the idiosyncratic, ironic and schizophrenic qualities that make System of a Down so distinctive.
The album's title track, "Hypnotize," is set to impact rock radio October 11. Shavo -- who came up with the performance-based concept will be directing the video to be shot later this month.
Starting with the Los Angeles-based band's 1998 genre-defying self-titled debut to 2001's breakthrough Toxicity, System of a Down has become a critical and commercial success on a global scale. The group has sold more than 13 million records, earning 64 platinum, gold and silver awards around the world.
Each release has achieved multi-platinum status, including the current Mezmerize which topped the album charts in a dozen countries and is the single biggest alternative hard rock debut of this year.
While System of a Down will wrap their headlining North American arena tour over the next few weeks, look for the group to head out on the road again in early 2006.
The complete list of nominees, many of whom will attend the ceremonies either as presenters or as performers, follows:
POP/ROCK
Favorite Male Artist: 50 Cent, Will Smith, Rob Thomas
Favorite Female Artist: Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, 3 Doors Down
Favorite Album: The Emancipation of Mimi (Mariah Carey), Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson), American Idiot (Green Day) SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES
Favorite Male Artist: R. Kelly, John Legend, Omarion
Favorite Female Artist: Mariah Carey, Ciara, Fantasia
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Destiny's Child, 112, Pretty Ricky
Favorite Album: The Emancipation of Mimi (Mariah Carey), Destiny Fulfilled (Destiny's Child), Free Yourself (Fantasia) COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist: Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw
Favorite Female Artist: Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album: Honkytonk University (Toby Keith), Live Like You Were Dying (Tim McGraw), Here For The Party (Gretchen Wilson) RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Male Artist: Eminem, 50 Cent, Ludacris
Favorite Female Artist: Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Trina
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas, Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz, Ying Yang Twins
Favorite Album: Encore (Eminem), The Massacre (50 Cent), Urban Legend (T.I.) ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Favorite Artist: Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, John Mayer LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Daddy Yankee, Luis Miguel, Shakira ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Coldplay, Green Day, System Of A Down CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist: Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Mary Mary BREAKTHROUGH
Favorite New Artist (All Genres): The Killers, Jesse McCartney, Sugarland.
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