System of a Down

Toxicity

(American)

It’s fortunate most record stores organize their rock music alphabetically rather than by category, because I wouldn’t know where to find the latest effort by System of a Down.

The Los Angeles quartet ranges from hard rock to heavy metal on its new record and often throughout individual tracks.

It is a roller coaster of a record, complete with stomach-swirling loops, eye-popping drops, a few slower spots where you can catch your breath and enough surprises to keep your adrenaline pumping.

This isn’t your average metal band - but it’s not exactly a band you want to take home to mom either.

The lyrics range from the need to reduce prison sentences for drug offenses on “Prison Song” to the sexual ongoings of an orgy on “Bounce.”

Although most songs on the record begin in a similar speed-metal fashion, after the first 15 seconds, you never know what you’re going to get.

If you haven’t heard of System of a Down, give it a chance. You might be surprised by what you hear.