The release was so dramatic and life-threatening and stressful, that kind of sticks in my memory more than recording it. Serj Tankian: I find it incredible that time is slipping by so quickly. What are your initial thoughts on the 20th anniversary of the release of “Toxicity?” Variety spoke with System of a Down’s vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist and vocalist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan, “Toxicity” producer Rick Rubin, as well as the band’s longtime manager David “Beno” Benveniste, ahead of the album’s 20th anniversary. It changed everything for the band, including laying the groundwork for creative differences and an uncertain future. and over 10 million units around the world. “Toxicity” went on to sell three million copies in the U.S. Eventually radio and MTV came around and began airing the tracks and videos for “Chop Suey,” “Toxicity” and “Aerials.” The band played on and hit the road to support the album.
“Chop Suey” was among them and quickly disappeared from the airwaves, thanks to the lyric in the chorus: “I don’t think you trust in my self-righteous suicide.”Īll the attention, both negative and positive, created a perfect storm to shoot the band into the stratosphere.
But in the aftermath of 9/11, Clear Channel Radio compiled a list of songs that were deemed “lyrically questionable” - and them banned from airplay in fear of triggering listeners. 1 on the Billboard album chart on September 11, 2001. The news coverage of the riot, along with the success of their single “Chop Suey,” released earlier that year, propelled “Toxicity” to debut at No. At the time, it was considered a complete disaster, but thrust the group into the global spotlight and suddenly System of a Down became a household name. CNN and other news outlets went live covering the turmoil, which lasted hours and resulted in multiple arrests. After learning the show was off, fans rushed the stage, destroyed the band’s gear and a riot broke out. Promoters expected about 2,000 fans, but over 10,000 showed up, which forced police to cancel the concert.
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Rewinding slightly, System was set to play a free show for Los Angeles radio station KROQ the day before the release in a parking lot in Hollywood. The events surrounding the album’s release played a major part in the trajectory of the group. The rest of the band, and many Americans, were furious with Tankian. While the essay was quickly taken down by Sony Music, parent company to Columbia Records, which had signed System, the damage was done. At the time the country was united with grief and swelling patriotism, and his rhetoric was poorly timed.
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