Even with low expectations I think they would not have been met, Atreyu was easily second worst behind Norma Jean. A band from Italy, Lacuna Coil (with a female and male singer) came on and I had never heard of them before.

They were amazing, they made a lot of new fans today. Hatebreed came on and got most of the place (barely filled) standing up but I was not too into their music and it seemed like they played forever. Avenged Sevenfold was the first band of the night I recognized and after a slow start they became a great band after a cover of Pantera's 'Walk'. Afterwards they moved on to favourites like Bat Country and there was in insane guitar solo and they were good.

It was at this time things got interesting as Disturbed came on. I was already a fan of a few songs but wow, they are a mind-blowing live act. For a small moment I thought they would be giving System a run for their money. The singer's voice is so powerful and consistent and the band has some great tunes. He also lashed out a fantastic speech against the emo/scremo/indie music with singers dressing and singing like women. He also said people were telling him metal was on a decline but everyone here would think otherwise. He then got the crowd to yell "Fuck that shit!" a few times in response to it all. It was hilarious and very well done. Their set was almost too short considering how awesome they were, this was their performance was worth the $90 alone.

And of course comes System of a Down. I was a little less excited than usual because I knew the place wasn't filled with hardcore SOAD fans, the set list was almost identical to the last one but shorter and some reviews here didn't seem to make them out as good as they could be. I can say with no bias or convincing of myself, this show was the most intense thing I have experienced. The band showed no weakness in any area and they looked like they were loving every minute. And to my surprise, I think every fan was there for them. It may have disappointed some that Suite-Pee wasn't played but it was replaced by HOLY MOUNTAINS -- my favorite System song of all time. After memorizing the setlist from past reviews I figured there would be zero chance it would come. But it did and it was beautiful. When they started the song I think I screamed the most girlish scream possible. I had never been so into a single song. Anyway, here's a song by song breakdown:

-Soldier side - Daron walks out, black top, black pants, black top hat and just plays the song awesomely. The crowd was going nuts.
Attack - The band out in full form just opening like nothing else. I have to say when you throw your fist in the air for "We attack!" you never feel more satisfied.

-BYOB - Straight transition when Attack finished, Serj had a few "Toronto!"'s during it. Daron appeared to be having some early guitar issues that were soon resolved and barely noticeable. The verse guitar part was different too, live he usually does an upbeat thing but there was another kind of riff he did that I can't explain. It was better though.

Revenga - Still with no break another song, the crowd was still trying to take it all in. The drum part John has for the chorus in this song still amazes me.

Needles - I was expecting Daron to have a creative intro but they just came right into this song as well. Usually for me that would be a complaint but everything had just been so perfect. I remember in Toronto and Hamilton last year Serj seemed subdued for the first songs and it took away from them a bit. This wasn't the case here though, they were giving it their all and the no breaks just made it that much better. Daron broke out of his shell in this song, mimicking many tapeworm movements.

Deer Dance - This is where the band hit the pinnacle of connection with the crowd that was maintained the entire night. At this time, the crowd had realized all the amazingness consuming the Amphitheatre and how amazingly into everything the band was. I think Serj said a little something before the song to introduce it but I don't remember what it was. I was telling everyone Serj would say war was dressed as Lebanon but alas, he said Iraq and I felt stupid. This song was just so great to jump to and Daron had a fun time pretending to shoot off a fully automatic he was supposedly holding in his hands.

Suggestions - This was utterly amazing except Daron wasn't around the mic to back up the "shore sir!" at the time it was needed. I just love seeing John pound the life out of his cymbals after the breakdown. The song ended headsmashingly with Serj yelling "pow mother fucker!" He seemed to be practising octaves while doing the chorus of Suggestions, it sounded badass.

Psycho - An immediate transition with the ending bassline of Suggestions into this one, there was lots of major crowd clapping for this. The song was done extremely well especially with John's new take on one of the verses that made it just so much trippier. Daron then went into his solo after a bit of sex with his guitar on the ground. He did it with the keyboard then went over to his pedal and started making guitar sounds that faded left and right, surrounding everyone. The place was just nuts after his solo so there were tons of cheers during this. I think the crowd was already on its 6th System chant. Daron's pedal-work started to sound like a plane was going by, then it died down for a perfect movement into Chop Suey.

Chop Suey - This was just beautiful, absolutely perfect. Serj got everyone to clap their hands. With the lights all beaming down on everyone I took a good look at everyone behind me (my seats were relatively close, row S behind the pit so I had a really nice few) and I just saw every single person clapping in unicen to the fantastic guitar and drums that open the song. It was really inspiring. Again, perfect song.

Kill Rock and Roll - In the first legitimate words I think Daron said all night, (he said some things earlier but muttered so I couldn't make it out) he dedicated the song to the "Gorilla Club" and then added "whoever that may be..." That was relatively confusing but they played the song so great that no one cared. All the lights shot out quickly for when they said "Accidents happen!" and it was really sweet.

Old school Hollywood - Being a song that I tend to skip over on Mezmerize I figured I would get a chance to relax here. I was mistaken because live the song is much heavier and much more awesome. After the robotics part I really noticed how Daron's singing was coming along. I don't think he missed a note all night, during the "Jack Gilardi's ten feet tall" at the end of the interlude I think he hit a note in his voice that was the most beautiful note I ever heard. He also pretended hitting with a baseball bat in this song, it was a nice few swings.

Violent Pornography - At first I thought the speech about the world wasn't coming because he started playing but then it morphed into a different kind of sound where he half spoke - half preached everything about oil in the US and Jesus not working Haliburton. He also said a really deep line saying "if Jesus came back, we'd all still line up for his crucifiction". I enjoyed the speech and the song even more. It was so fast and somehow Daron managed to do all the hand movements of dying, crying, fucking and sucking. He also got a 'yeehaw!' into a verse which was really impressive.

Cigaro - The slow intro was fabulous, it got laughs and sounded great. He ended it by holding 'and I loooooooooove' then Serj jumped in and yelled 'you!' pointing at the crowd. It was really easy to tell they loved the sold out audience (I didn't think it would be from early indication). Then the song started right away and was as phalic and sexy as it could have been.

Lonely Day - The first mellow part for the audience. This is an album song that I liked for a bit but soon got annoyed with. This changed it again, you could really feel Daron's heart in it. At the end I felt like hugging someone. The lyrics were word-for-word too, nothing about hating or loving his band.

Radio/video - One of the most intense and awesome songs of the night, even though all were so rocking. They brought out that guy from California and he was pretty cool. Shavo had some move with him where they leaned back and forth into each other and it was humourous. Serj asked us if we wanted to dance with them and said it was time to dance then the song started. It was neat to see Daron bounce along as he sang. The quiet to loud part made the song as they all went 'shh!' right before it and the depth between the whispers and yells was above anything I could have imagined.

Hypnotize - Another new song that I tend to be skeptical of but wow, they seemed to play it much heavier live. You can really bounce and jump to it in a melodic sort of way. John's drumming was superb on top of Daron's guitar. This was suprisingly awesome.

Lost in Hollywood - This was my favourite song of the September Toronto show and I remembered why after tonight. I got major goosebumps just seeing the masses of people holding up lighters or holding their significant other as Daron told his tale of tragedy. He again showed off a significantly improved voice and I really almost felt like crying at the prettiness of it all.

Question! - As the guitars changed around and they set up Serj, John did a very short yet impressive drum solo. Daron also did a thing I heard him play before where he kind of hummed with some odd guitar then the acoustic intro of Question picked up in the background. The song had no mistakes and Daron had this sweet guitar slide with a new kind of Serj scream near the first ending. It made it that much cooler.

War? - This had the typical interlude but also had a very interesting introduction. At first I was tempted to say Daron was playing Hezze out of ignorance and me just wanting to sound smart. But then Serj jumped in with some lyrics and it was a really out there kind of sequence. Then the real song started with the newer kind of updates and the song was really intense. However I could tell some people were not as familiar with System's older works.

Sultans of Swing - For me, this was one of the best highlights of the night. I could hear Daron play this song forever. It is THE guitar song for me by THE guitarist, being Daron. I had to close my eyes and take it in for a second because I couldn't believe I was hearing something so marvelous. Daron then did the solo of the song, which I had never heard him do before with John doing some insane stuff on the ride cymbal. It blew my mind and I really hope there is a recording of the show just for that.

Aerials - Typical out there Aerials, easy to sing to and easy to feel awesome over. Nowadays some say Serj has trouble with his range on this one but he proved them wrong tonight.

HOLY FUCKING MOUNTAINS - As soon as I heard this I just exploded, I told my friend I was going to cum everywhere (sorry for the inappropriateness). I couldn't believe it, this was the first time to my knowledge they played it on the tour. I was not expecting it at all. This made my summer, I had never felt so controlled and passionate for a song. Out of anticipation I started singing 'Liar! Killer! Demon!' before the intro even ended and I didn't care how stupid I looked. I will never forget the emotion I had when I first realized what was happening. It was an emotion I never ever felt before and it was sweet! The song was the best of the night for me.

Toxicity - Typical John kicking ass. Right before the short guitar solo the song stopped and Daron was like "Toronto! I want to see you fucking move!" and then he started it and it was probably the best head banging sequence I had all night.

Sugar - As much as I love Suite Pee, my night was already made. Sugar was amazing, Daron made a funny sound instead of singing the first 'sugar!' I love how he can do what he wants and it still sounds great. The fast singing part Serj started getting tongue tied and he was just like 'what the fuck am I saying?' and it was hilarious. There were more funny voice sounds from the both of them here and then the final breakdown came. There was 'ice cream' and Serj 'licked everyone!', I hear he only does this selectively so I felt honored. Then the song ended, the band left, John threw his sticks and I sat down trying to comprehend all the magic I just witnessed.

As long as this review is, there was so much I left out. Each band member took every opportunity to dance (especially Serj!), give a "wooo!" or just make some whole new sound altogether. Daron's voice was perfect and has come so far. Never before have I felt compelled by music, I had my hands up in angst or anger or whatever the song called for or I'd be dancing or moving about and yelling every word. I felt like each song was my own. The past concerts were like that but I would be conscious of my movements, tonight I didn't think, I just listened and reacted.

After the show me and my friends were hanging out by the lake the stadium was by and a golf cart drove by. I had my back to it then my friend Pat was like "holy shit that was Shavo!" then we ran and followed it to the tour busses guarded by gates and security. We waited around a bit then started to leave and I saw him come out again. He was about 15 feet from me and I just stared in awe as he talked to a friend. But he then walked back into the bus area where he was unreachable. However we stalked him for another good 15 minutes sitting on a bench looking over the fence where he was hanging out with Hatebreed guys. Before we left I yelled "Shavo fucking rocks!" and he gave a quick turn with a smile towards my group's general direction and then we were off.

All in all, it's a shame I won't see these guys together again for another few years (or maybe ever??) but after tonight I can die happy. I thought I had seen all there was out of them after the two shows last September. This was something new though, they completely controlled the audience with every action, good or bad but there was no bad. They took everything to some unexplored level of talent and showmanship. I don't think I am going to sleep for another week with this adrenaline. But I shall try now, I hope you enjoyed the review and sorry for the length.

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