POP: PICK OF THE WEEK

The Independent – United Kingdom; Jun 11, 2005

System of a Down The most vital and inventive metal band in the world
right now finish off their UK conquest with a headlining slot at the
Download Festival plus a few more big venues. Emerging in the late
1990s, they soon became a word-of-mouth sensation with their brave
chord changes, even wilder vocals, and an underlying Armenian folk
lilt battling with alternative rock and post-gothic influences. By the
time of their second album, 2001’s Toxicity, they had fully realised
their trademark of politically passionate metal. They even managed to
trump that effort with the new Mezmerize album which was recorded at
the same time as companion piece Hypnotize, the anticipated release of
which comes at the end of the year. On stage they’re an intense
one-of-a-kind proposition and support at the arena dates comes from
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. Download Festival, Donington
Park, tomorrow; MEN Arena, Manchester, Tue; SECC, Glasgow, Wed