System of a Down’s Self-Titled Album Songs Ranked

System of a Down is the debut studio album by 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 on February 2, 2000. After the success of System of a Down’s following album, Toxicity (2001), the album was certified platinum. The album is generally considered nu metal and alternative metal, both of which would become staples for the band. Lyrical themes throughout the album vary, with many songs following a theme of being anti-war, but also has topics of genocide, religion, and brainwashing. “Suite-Pee” is a criticism of pedophilia within the Church and religious extremism.^[4] “Soil” is, according to lead singer Serj Tankian, “about death, and friends that die, and life that dies.” “Mind” talks about government mind control, specifically mentioning CIA brainwashing in the albums’ liner notes. “P.L.U.C.K.” is a song dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide, and is meant to be a criticism and denouncing of the Turkish Government. Here are all of System of a Down’s Self-Titled Album songs ranked.

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13. Cubert

“CUBErt” seems to talk about how society is becoming mindless. The song isn’t bad or anything like that, it’s just sort of boring for me.”

12. Mind

“This song is longer than any other song on the album with a runtime of 6 minutes and 16 seconds. The beginning of the song starts off with an ominous feeling. If I had to guess, the song might be about government mind control. With lyrics such as, “Free thinkers are dangerous. Blame! Hate! For Fate’s Seed!” Maybe it doesn’t have to do with the government, but with it being SOAD, I’m gonna say it does.”

11. DDevil

“This song has more of a metal approach in the beginning, which I’m personally more of a fan of. This song isn’t really that bad or anything, just kinda boring to me”

10. Darts

“Darts” comes out of the gate with pure speed with no special intro needed. You can hear sort of a hardcore punk influence on this one.”

See more: System of a Down Albums Ranked

9. Know

“Know” opens with John’s fast paced drum fills and some accompanying guitar riffs. Serj then launches into unintelligible shouting. Not really much else to say on this one but it’s still as good as the opener.”

8. Suggestions

“Suggestions” opens with an acoustic guitar intro that shows off the bands Armenian folk influences. Something that they would explore ever further on Toxicity. Also, shout out to Serj for the falsetto he does near the end. The man’s got some vocal chords.”

7. Suite-Pee

“Suite-Pee” opens with a sick guitar riff by Daron before launching into a full band assault. Serj comes in with a sarcastic sounding anti-religious attack. It then goes into a slow, sludgy section during the bridge before speeding back up again near the end.”

6. Peephole

“Peephole” starts with this weird, ambient intro before going into a clean guitar intro and a strange sounding bassline that sounds like a tuba playing some sort of circus calliope. Very hypnotic, yet cool all the same. I mean the song is about smokin’ da weed so I guess it got the job done.”

See more: System of a Down Songs Ranked

5. Soil

“Soil” is just chaotic through and through. The band flirts with a slightly more technical style. The drums sound really good and the guitar riffs are catchy and crunchy all at the same time. Serj goes back and forth with frantic shouting and steady clean singing with a little bit of a quick spoken part after the first chorus.”

4. War?

“War?” is an aggressive, grove laden track that sounds just a little closer to the nu metal sound that was present at the time. Also, mini rant time, why the fuck is this band considered “nu metal”? Like there’s no rapping or hip hop esque structures or emotional bullshit. Why would you do this to them? Why? Anyway, this song is really good.”

3. P.L.U.C.K.

“ne of the band’s most personal and political songs to date. Being based on the infamous Armenian Genocide of 1915 (look it up in case high school history class didn’t teach you shit), it’s fast and thrashy with Serj spouting some of the band’s darkest lyrics to date with Daron giving some background vocal cameos, something else that would be more apparent on later releases. Great track to end a great yet somewhat flawed record.”

2. Spiders

“Spiders” slows things down for a bit. A creepy, depressing dirge about government surveillance. It’s pretty basic, but it does show off the band’s doomier side to their then kinda-speed metal sound.”

1. Sugar

“Sugar”, the lead single from the album, jumps right in with the whole band, leading to Daron shouting “SUGAAAAARRR” during various points in the verses and Serj showing off more of his wide vocal range here. It also shows the band ability to tackle serious subject matter like domestic and drug abuse with both seriousness and humor. Just look up the weird ass lyrics to this song to understand what I mean.”