Started listening to SOAD again

deSade · 19 May 2006 at 16:41

After a good while of not playing them, I've been playing System of a Down a lot over the last few days. Other great albums of theirs aside, Mesmerize & Hypnotize are really powerful, incredibly well balanced records.

What are your thoughts on their place in the heavy rock world?

deSade · 19 May 2006 at 16:53

I'm hoping they'll come over again this year - don't know if there's any news (I think they're touring the US at the moment on Ozzfest).

Saw them at Brixton last year which was a real buzz.

deSade · 19 May 2006 at 17:05

Boring!!!!??

Surely that is a word you can't use about them!

deSade · 19 May 2006 at 17:17

Big Chris said:
I think they're awful, each song they release annoys me a little bit more than the last. They're dull and unimaginative, and I can't quite understand why so many people bum them.

Their latest song especially just stinks of "we've run out of already bad ideas for songs, so we've thrown together this nonsense about a lonely day, my loneliest day, the loneliest day of all...."

And you listen to?

deSade · 19 May 2006 at 17:24

IMO they are a very innovative band, just not fitting into heavy rock stereotyping is a bonus (BTW, I also think 'Lonliest Day' was a bit pap!).

deSade · 19 May 2006 at 19:00

Big Chris said:
Why does that matter in this case?

Just interested. If you call a band dull and unimaginative, it would be intersting to know what you think is exciting & imaginative.

deSade · 20 May 2006 at 11:41

Big Chris said:
Isis
Pelican
Tool
Helmet
Oceansize

Those are my top 5 and get regular airplay, but there's a huge list besides that too that I'd rate over SOAD. Only my opinion mind, but check out Isis especially if you're of a heavy rock persuation, they could well be the best band since some other band were heralded as the best band.

I may be getting misunderstood about my take on SOAD - I think they are a great, innovative band - unlike most others in terms of their style. But I also rate quite a few other bands above them.

My top 5 are:

Suicidal Tendencies;
Tool (even though I still can't make a decision on 10,000 Days);
Rush;
Bad Religion; and
Clawfinger

But I can't agree with penski in calling them Formulaic, Predictable & Dull. :confused:

deSade · 20 May 2006 at 16:14

dmpoole said:
Absolutely amazing band and two years ago I even got chatted up by Zak who I had to turn down

Why d'you turn the opportunity down?

deSade · 20 May 2006 at 16:38

dmpoole said:
Clawfinger played in a pokey little pub called The Rigger in Newcastle and only 100 people turned up. I literally stood 10 foot away from them leaning at the bar at the side. Come the last 3 songs and I was standing at the front moshing with all the kids. When they finished Zak came out and started signing autographs and after he finished he made a beeline for me.
He said that he'd noticed I was the oldest in there and I was singing along to all the songs. I told him I'd been a fan since the first album and I still am. He then asked if he could buy me a drink but I declined because the wife was picking me up any second and I was out of my tree already. I then thanked him for making an old man happy.
It was a few weeks later and their latest album was released and the lyrics confirmed he was gay. Up until that point I had no idea.
So I like to think I turned Zak down (even though I didn't know he was gay at the time).

I've known the rumours for years, so it wasn't a surprise. Fair play to him though, there aren't that many people in that area of rock that will let people know they're gay.

As you said - a truly great band.