System of a Down is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on June 30, 1998, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 2000. After the success of the band's following album, Toxicity (2001), System of a Down was certified platinum and has since gone double platinum.
In 2022, Eli Enis of Revolver included the song "Suite-Pee" in his list of the "10 Heaviest Nu-Metal Songs of All Time". In 2025, Rae Lemeshow-Barooshian of Loudwire included the album in her list of "the top 50 nu-metal albums of all time", ranking it third.
Music and lyrics The album is generally considered nu metal and alternative metal, frequently utilizing low guitar tunings such as drop C. The song "Suite-Pee" is a criticism of pedophilia within the Catholic Church and religious extremism. "Sugar" is about the world's population's over use and reliance on drugs and other substances, as well as the predatory state of media like the news, while "P.L.U.C.K" is about the Armenian genocide.
Artwork
The cover artwork is from a 1928 anti-fascist poster designed by visual artist John Heartfield for the Communist Party of Germany. The text on the original poster translates as: "A hand has 5 fingers! With these 5 grab the enemy!" This slogan inspired part of the text contained on the back of the album: "The hand has five fingers, capable and powerful, with the ability to destroy as well as create". Later, it is written in bold letters: "Open your eyes, open your mouths, close your hands and make a fist." Serj Tankian later reused the phrase in the song "Uneducated Democracy" from his 2012 album Harakiri.
Reception
System of a Down received acclaim from music critics. Q called it "an excellent starting point for this most curious band".
The album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Loudwire included the album in its list of The Best Metal Debut Albums, at number 22.
Track listing Original release
Limited edition bonus CD
Notes An early version of "X" from Toxicity was originally recorded for this album. The songs "Honey" and "Temper" from Demo Tape 2 were also recorded for this album but ultimately did not make the cut. The re-recorded versions of these songs have yet to surface anywhere.
Personnel Personnel taken from System of a Down CD booklet.
System of a Down Serj Tankian – lead vocals, keyboards, samples Daron Malakian – guitars, backing vocals Shavo Odadjian – bass John Dolmayan – drums
Production Produced by Rick Rubin with System of a Down Mixed by D. Sardy Engineered by Sylvia Massy Engineer/assistant engineer: Greg Fidelman Additional recording/finishing touches: D. Sardy Assistant engineers: Sam Storey, Nick Raskulinecz Assistant mixdown engineers: James Saez, Greg Gordon, Andy Haller Second assistant mixdown engineer: Bryan Davis Extra piano by Rick Rubin Photography: Anthony Artiaga Cover art: John Heartfield Art direction: Frank Harkins & System of a Down Recorded at Sound City, Van Nuys, California Vocals and additional recordings at Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research, Hollywood, California Mixed at Record Plant Studios, Hollywood, California & Hollywood Sound, California Mastered by Vlado Meller at Sony Studios, New York City
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1998)Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 48 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 68 UK Albums (OCC) 103 US Billboard 200 124 US Top Heatseekers (Billboard) 1
Chart (2002–2026) Peakposition US Billboard 200 113 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 17 US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) 9 US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)7 US Tastemaker Albums (Billboard) 19
Year-end charts Chart (2002) Position Canadian Albums (Billboard) 180 Canadian Alternative Albums (Billboard) 58 Canadian Metal Albums (Billboard) 28
Certifications
References