System of a Down

System of a Down is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1995 in California. They are widely known for their straightforward views expressed in many of their songs.

System of a Down has risen to fame with five albums, performing singles such as "Aerials," "B.Y.O.B.," "Lonely Day," "Question!," "Toxicity," "Hypnotize," "Chop Suey!" and "Sugar"'. Their works have earned them three Grammy nominations and one Award.

In the summer of 1998, System of a Down released their debut album, System of a Down. They achieved moderate success with their first single "Sugar" becoming a radio favorite, followed by the single "Spiders."

The group's big success arrived when their second album Toxicity debuted at #1 on the American and Canadian charts. The album has since sold 6 million copies worldwide. Following the September 11, 2001 events and the political environment caused by the attacks, the band hit single "Chop Suey!" was taken off the radio as it contained politically sensitive lyrics at the time. Regardless, the video was played constantly on MTV as did the second single, "Toxicity." "Chop Suey!" earned a Grammy nomination, and despite all the controversy the band still received constant airplay in the United States throughout late 2001 and 2002 with "Toxicity " and "Aerials.”

From 2004 to 2005, the group produced a double album, Mezmerize / Hypnotize with the two parts released six months apart. The first album, Mezmerize, was released on May 17, 2005 and it debuted at #1 in the United States, Canada, Australia and all around the world, making it their second #1 album. The album contained the Grammy Award-winning single "B.Y.O.B.."

The second part of the double album, Hypnotize, was released on November 22, 2005. Like Mezmerize, it debuted at #1 in the US.

In February 2006, the band won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for "B.Y.O.B.." Their second single off the Hypnotize album, "Lonely Day" was released in March in the United States. System of a Down released "Kill Rock 'N Roll" and "Vicinity of Obscenity" as their next promo singles.

In May 2006, the band announced they were taking a break. Daron Malakian has confirmed the break will probably last a few years, but it was Shavo who in an interview with Guitar magazine said it will last at least 3 years, but insists that the band would not be splitting up.

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