Toxicity
by System Of A Down
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 454 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 417 out of 454
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 454
  3. Negative: 26 out of 454

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  1. jAbMaN
    Jan 13, 2011
    10
    Every song on the album sounds great to my ears and nobody else sounds close to their greatness of alternative metal and great vocals by the two singers.
  2. nicrax96
    Jul 4, 2012
    10
    every song have single potential and with a classic include in the album like chop suey i love all the minutes hearing it. its one of the best rock albums of recent memory
  3. MrLonwol
    Jun 5, 2011
    10
    I've never hated a single song by System really.
    This is one of their greatest albums in my opinion.

    And Chop Suey has mixed views on what the lyrics mean.
    One being it's about the "Angels" being the "Good" people who look away from those whose lives have been destroyed.
    The other being about Jesus.
  4. misteurmista
    Jun 23, 2011
    10
    Absolutely brilliant metal record. A must. A perfect mix of amazing riffs, good rhythms and expressive feelings, especially with songs like Chop Suey, Toxicity or the sweet closing title Aerials .
  5. Charlie7777
    Jul 28, 2011
    10
    great album i especially liked aeriels, toxicity, and chop suey but i think that this is SOADs best album. BTW this album deserves way more than a **** 7.3!!!!
  6. Lukeduke19
    Jun 4, 2017
    9
    They're best album next to "Mezmerize"! Epic from start to finish! "Prison Song", "Chop Suey", "Bounce", "Forest", "ATWA", "Toxicity" and "Aerials" are my favourite songs! But of course all of the songs are perfect in so many ways, but coming from SOAD that's not surprising!
  7. MattH.
    Feb 2, 2002
    10
    Perfect
  8. JeffG.
    Mar 1, 2002
    10
    The best album I have heard in 10 years (Pearl Jam, Ten). This music certainly psyches you up on your way to work. Complete brilliance. The dynamics are close to matching Metlallica's "Master of Puppets".
  9. DME
    Nov 17, 2011
    6
    My only problem with Toxicity is the lyrics being way too repetetive (most noticable in the song "Science")and songs being too short. What really bothered me though, was the almost-unlistenable screaming done in the choruses of some songs. But the instrumentals are amazing and the song's verses do have some great rhythem. It's not terrible, but it's nowhere near perfect.
  10. mjthadw
    Mar 5, 2012
    10
    This is system of a downs worst album but it is still one of those albums where you can enjoy every track and can't resist the urge to listen to it again.
  11. Magus
    Mar 17, 2012
    6
    After listening to Toxicity (the track), Chop Suey, Forest and Aerials I thought it'd be a good thing to check out the whole album, considering I really liked these songs. However, the first five tracks already gave me the feeling that this ain't the right thing for me. If I would've listened to this 4 years ago I would've liked it more than I did now, back when I preferred heavy metalAfter listening to Toxicity (the track), Chop Suey, Forest and Aerials I thought it'd be a good thing to check out the whole album, considering I really liked these songs. However, the first five tracks already gave me the feeling that this ain't the right thing for me. If I would've listened to this 4 years ago I would've liked it more than I did now, back when I preferred heavy metal adrenaline rushes over meaningful songs. From the first 5 tracks I suppose Needles has its moments and Deer Song isn't all that bad, but Chop Suey is the first song from the album that I can call good. The 5 earlier tracks are just too bumpy to stick, I could listen to them over and over again and I would barely remember anything from them. Same goes for Bounce. Forest is still definitely metal, but has a more serious nature, a bit like Chop Suey. ATWA and Science both started promising, but what supposedly are the climaxes of these songs are mediocre. The tracks are rather good, however, but only because they aren't too much of hyperactive metal songs as songs like Bounce or Shimmy. Psycho is pretty much another adrenaline rush/chillrock mix, and as usual I prefer the chill parts. Aerials, the last track is truly the best from the album, it has quite a lot of symbolism in the lyrics and isn't bumpy or unnecessary hyperactive, truly, everything in this track is optimalized and shows how much SOAD really has as a band, the bass picking is very nice, the guitar riffs are powerful, but don't oppress the vocals. Speaking of which, this track vocally is also the peak of the album.

    Overall, this album could've been way better than it was. No, I am not a metalhead, so maybe that's why I couldn't enjoy this as much as some other people, but I like every music genre as long as it's performed the right way. SOAD is a great band, but Toxicity as an album is just OK. It has its moments, but that's about it, for me it was an album with 4 great songs and a lot of fillers.    … Expand
  12. AnikM
    Apr 21, 2012
    10
    One of the best metal albums of the 21st century. System of a Down is the most melodically-sound metal band on the planet and they manage to create great songs without ever sounding repetitive. Anyone who says otherwise is either a) a hipster/douchebag or b) an idiot.
  13. jfrotylpe532
    Dec 22, 2012
    9
    This album is crazy. Chop Suey! (regardless if anyone hates it) is probably the best song ever. Aerials is amazing as well. gReat job.
  14. DaveC
    Jul 27, 2003
    5
    Has the world gone mad? System Of A Down at their very best are mediocre and most of the time juvenile and even childish. Do yourself a favour and listen to Metallica or Tool instead.
  15. VakilyZ
    Jul 27, 2004
    0
    This album blows!! Anyone who takes this band seriously should be shot and flayed!! Rage Against the Machine will always be better than this crap!!
  16. JeffR
    Jan 31, 2005
    5
    Didn't like the album at first, but has grown slightly on me in the last couple months. Lyrically, some of the songs are just childish. Musically, some songs are well put together, others are a waste of time. Mediocre. There is better stuff out there.
  17. Choicest
    Nov 22, 2005
    3
    Guitars have been around a long time but in the history of the earth humans and instruments have never come together to form a more perfect sound. Compare this to Bethoven and I think you'll agree, SOAD are simply better. This albums rawks so hard it killed my cat. God came down from Heaven and signed my cd cover! My parents were going to divorce each other but after they heard this Guitars have been around a long time but in the history of the earth humans and instruments have never come together to form a more perfect sound. Compare this to Bethoven and I think you'll agree, SOAD are simply better. This albums rawks so hard it killed my cat. God came down from Heaven and signed my cd cover! My parents were going to divorce each other but after they heard this album they were set straight. Thanks for saving my family SOAD… Expand
  18. DemonicAngel
    Nov 5, 2005
    5
    A 5 for production and effort, but System don't really do anything particularly creative in this record. Frankly, the whole politics in music thing automatically puts me off (not because I'm too apolitical to understand, but because I prefer my music to be unbiased by political affiliation). Most of the tracks are repetitive in the extreme, with the good bits sounding A 5 for production and effort, but System don't really do anything particularly creative in this record. Frankly, the whole politics in music thing automatically puts me off (not because I'm too apolitical to understand, but because I prefer my music to be unbiased by political affiliation). Most of the tracks are repetitive in the extreme, with the good bits sounding suspiciously like something that Mr. Bungle would have thought of before they sadly imploded. The fact that there are so many 10 ratings kinda reflects badly on the metal scene in general - and if ANYONE ELSE says "original" or "groundbreaking" I swear I'll punch them. People, there is a whole world of great music out there. Stop being content with the plagiarized crap that MTV spoonfeeds you and use your imaginations.… Expand
  19. FreddyTeddy
    Apr 27, 2005
    3
    One of the worst albums i ever bought. It had three good songs (Chop Suey, Toxicity, Aerials), but all the rest is chaotic, badly written and the lyrics are pure crap. Can't believe i wasted my money on this album.
  20. GaborA
    Nov 18, 2004
    4
    They have two structures: fast blast with screaming choppy sentences and slowed down guitar with chingly things in backgroud suplemented with attempts at melodic singing. Back and forth it goes in the most repetitive fasion. In terms of lyrics the themes aim high but are crushed by terrible writing resulting in simply a lack of intelligence. Individually songs are interesting but as an They have two structures: fast blast with screaming choppy sentences and slowed down guitar with chingly things in backgroud suplemented with attempts at melodic singing. Back and forth it goes in the most repetitive fasion. In terms of lyrics the themes aim high but are crushed by terrible writing resulting in simply a lack of intelligence. Individually songs are interesting but as an album the flaws become more than obvious primarily the simple structure disguised to seem polyinfluenced.… Expand
  21. TheQuietGamer
    Sep 9, 2016
    10
    An absolute masterpiece that almost never lets up in intensity and heaviness. There's an incredible flow to this album that's only slightly tripped up by the singles. Not enough to sour anyone's opinion, but just noticeable enough to make them feel almost like songs from a different album.

    The majority of the album is blistering, energetic metal with a sense of craziness that makes it    An absolute masterpiece that almost never lets up in intensity and heaviness. There's an incredible flow to this album that's only slightly tripped up by the singles. Not enough to sour anyone's opinion, but just noticeable enough to make them feel almost like songs from a different album.

    The majority of the album is blistering, energetic metal with a sense of craziness that makes it an absolute blast to mosh to. The punk approach to their political lyrics is able to add that extra oomph in it's punch and energy. There's also a refreshing sense of humor that goes along with the seriousness to keep the crazy fun element in tact.

    The band slows things down near the end from the constant barrage of excellent metal in favor of two slower, more melodic and deep tracks, "Aerials" and the title track itself. Toxicity fits in nicely, but Aerials is not the album's strongest moment. The hidden bonus track "Arto," System of Down's adaption of an Armenian hymn keeps things from going out on a low note.

    While disappointing compared to the rest of the tracks, Aerials is by no means a bad song. In fact it's excellent. Just a little at odds with all the rest that Toxicity has to offer. I'm not going to let a slight hiccup in the flow detract from the album's score.

    Toxicity is a masterpiece. A near-flawless work that even with a few faults manages to tower above so many other albums, not just in this genre, but in music as a whole. System of a Down did not disappoint in their second album. They showed real staying power and proved to be a band that stuck in people's minds. Just look at how successful Chop Suey! was/is. It's the song that actually got me into the band all those years ago. All I can say is if you think that song is good, wait until you hear the rest of the album. You may even find they top it. Toxicity is nothing less than a must listen to.    … Expand
  22. TheBlaiZe
    Jun 16, 2013
    10
    Shut up and listen
  23. Insanesuperstar340
    Sep 10, 2002
    10
    It is awsome all of the songs on toxicity rule.
  24. Ashm
    Mar 20, 2003
    10
    This cd kicks huge ass and if u dont like it yer retarded
  25. MattiasL
    Oct 6, 2003
    10
    System Of A Down rules this unholy world!!
  26. imoc
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    i love system of a down and diz album ... but i cant find any of their concertz???
  27. allieB
    May 24, 2004
    10
    umm i'm not quite sure wat's wrong with the people at "Uncut" but unless you're really close minded and have no general taste in music SOAD kicks ass. and so does this album. enough said.
  28. AndrewM.
    Jul 13, 2004
    10
    My favorite bands are probably Radiohead and Modest Mouse, but System of a Down is really something different. I really really like this cd. It is very chaotic and unrestrained by boundaries that hold other albums (such as following a predictable music pattern)
  29. declanm
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    the album is totally superb never to be beaten by system or any other band for that matter
  30. Addison05
    Aug 24, 2005
    10
    This is the only band i lisen to and the only one i will a true FAN here. There concert here in Tx on the 11th was the best I have seen from them yet and iI hope to see them agien real soon keep Rockin SOAD
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2001
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Sonicnet
    60
    When System's at their best, the Los Angeles four-piece evokes most vividly punk politicos the Dead Kennedys.... Yet the band sputters out when the lyrics are awash in vagueness.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    30
    Toxicity is virtually unlistenable: thrash metal splintered into a million pieces by unnecessary time changes, topped off with excruciatingly theatrical vocals. [Dec 2001, p.118]
  3. L.A. Weekly
    90
    Cast in layers upon layers of aural intricacy, Toxicity charters new frontiers, yet it’s still grinding rock at its most deafening.
    Read full review
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