25/11/02

SYSTEM OF A DOWN / STEAL THIS ALBUM

When it comes to breaking the rules System Of A Down have no qualms about anything and nothing is sacred, no stone is left unturned. Everything about this CD is different, for a start they didn’t even want to release it, forced by songs leaking through the net they relented but they had strings attached, no publicity campaign, no booklet, just the bare essentials and what you have is not what you would expect, this is not just a bunch of Dog ruff demos or out takes but full blown songs which leave you thinking why weren’t they on the albums.

Let me put it into perspective, these are the songs they considered not good enough for the full blown release but somehow they bond together into a very cohesive package that leaves you thinking that this is as good as, if not better than the proper releases.

I have always thought that System are as mad as a bag of Ferrets and nothing on this CD leads me to come to any other conclusion but listening to the songs you get the unmistakable feeling that you are in the presence of genius, lets face it genius and insanity are different sides of the same coin. The opening track "Chic N Stu" (where they sing the toppings of Pizza’s, I kid you not), could if done by any other band been a pile of Poo but it isn’t, because of their unique attitude and style.

All the tracks are essential SOAD and will be lapped up by fans and yet to be fans alike, "Innervision", "Boom", "Mr. Jack" and "Pictures" will become well loved songs before Xmas. They still throw the odd ball in here and there, there is the acoustic "Roulette" the track "36", which is actually 46 seconds long but totally awesome.

If you liked Toxicity but want more only slightly heavier then getting this CD is essential, System fans will not be disappointed.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 43 mins + 16 TRACKS