Hypnotize (album)

Hypnotize
Hypnotize
Studio album by System of a Down
Released	November 22, 2005
Studio	The Mansion; (Los Angeles, California); Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research; (Los Angeles, California)
Genre	Heavy metal; hard rock;
Length	39:40
Label	Columbia
Producer	Rick Rubin; Daron Malakian;
System of a Down chronology
Singles from Hypnotize
	"Hypnotize"; Released: October 11, 2005; "Lonely Day"; Released: April 17, 2006;

Hypnotize is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released on November 22, 2005, six months after the release of its companion album Mezmerize. Mezmerize and Hypnotize both debuted at number #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, making the band one of the few to achieve this with two albums in the same year.

Hypnotize is the band's most recent studio album as of 2020.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	78/100^[5]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[6]
Entertainment Weekly	B+^[7]
The Guardian	^[8]
Pitchfork	7.9/10^[9]
Playlouder	^[10]
PopMatters	6/10^[2]
Rolling Stone	^[3]
Stylus	C^[11]
Sputnikmusic	^[12]
USA Today	^[4]

Hypnotize received generally positive reviews. Hypnotize opened at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 320,000 copies the first week. The album debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 47,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA on December 13, 2005.^[13] Since its release, Hypnotize has sold 8 million copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

Entertainment Weekly (No. 851, p. 100) - "[T]hey're flaunting a heretofore underexplored sensitive side, offsetting their trademark stampeding riffology with flashes of delicate lyricism." - Grade: B+

Rolling Stone (No. 988, p. 117) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - "Hell immediately runneth over on Malakian's scoured-staccato guitars and Dolmayan's furious hammering."

Spin (p. 62) - Ranked #20 in Spin's "40 Best Albums of 2005".

Uncut (p. 109) - 3 stars out of 5 - "System succeed through their skill at wielding complex, progressive heaviness in a pop context."

Track listing

All lyrics written by Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian, except where noted. All music written by Malakian, except where noted.

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	"Attack"			3:06
2.	"Dreaming"		Malakian, Shavo Odadjian	3:59
3.	"Kill Rock 'n Roll"	Malakian		2:27
4.	"Hypnotize"			3:09
5.	"Stealing Society"			2:58
6.	"Tentative"			3:36
7.	"U-Fig"		Malakian, Odadjian	2:55
8.	"Holy Mountains"			5:28
9.	"Vicinity of Obscenity"	Tankian	Tankian, Malakian	2:51
10.	"She's Like Heroin"	Malakian		2:44
11.	"Lonely Day"	Malakian		2:47
12.	"Soldier Side"	Malakian		3:40
Total length:				39:40

The album was initially going to start with a Middle Eastern style instrumental track entitled "Hezze", which Malakian stated was one of his favorite songs on the record prior to its release. It was dropped at the last minute because the group wanted to open the album with a heavy song, and because the band felt it was incongruous with the other songs on the album. However, during live performances of "Mr. Jack", Malakian would yell "Yalla hezze" (English translation: "Come on, shake!") after the first chorus. A funk/jazzy guitar instrumental, is then played after.^{[citation needed]}

The Charade, originally titled "Charades", a song written and eventually released by Tankian in 2010, was being considered to appear on Mezmerize or Hypnotize, as footage of the band rehearsing it exists on YouTube.^[14] The reasons it wasn't featured on neither Mezmerize nor Hypnotize remain unknown.

DualDisc edition — DVD side

Entire album in enhanced stereo
The Recording of Mezmerize / Hypnotize
"B.Y.O.B." and "Question!" videos

Personnel

System of a Down

Serj Tankian – vocals, keyboards
Daron Malakian – vocals, guitars, bass (uncredited),^[15]^[16] keyboards (uncredited)^[15]
Shavo Odadjian – bass
John Dolmayan – drums

Vocal duties:

Attack: Serj Tankian (main), Daron Malakian (second voice)
Dreaming: Tankian and Malakian (both main)
Kill Rock 'n Roll: Tankian and Malakian (both main)
Hypnotize: Tankian and Malakian (both main)
Stealing Society: Tankian and Malakian (both main)
Tentative: Tankian (main), Malakian (second voice)
U-Fig: Tankian (main - verses & chorus) Malakian (main - chorus)
Holy Mountains: Tankian (main), Malakian (second voice)
Vicinity of Obscenity: Tankian
She's Like Heroin: Malakian (main), Tankian (second voice)
Lonely Day: Malakian (main), Tankian (second voice)
Soldier Side: Tankian and Malakian (both main)

Production

Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian
Mixed by Andy Wallace
Engineered by David Schiffman
Editing by Jason Lader and Dana Neilsen
Assistant engineer: Phillip Broussard
All artwork by Vartan Malakian
Design: System of a Down and Brandy Flower
String arrangement: Serj Tankian and Marc Mann
Worldwide representation: Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group
Mix Pro Tools engineer: John O'Mahony
Mix assistant engineers: Steve Sisco (Soundtrack) & Joe Peluso (Enterprise)
Album production coordinator: Lindsay Chase / Braden Asher
Recording location: The Mansion in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, CA and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research, Los Angeles, CA
Mixed at Soundtrack Studios, New York, NY And Enterprise Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Mastered by Vlado Meller at Sony Music Studios, New York, NY

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Album
Year	Chart	Peak position
2005	Billboard 200	1
	UK Albums Chart	11
	Australian ARIA Albums Chart	3
	Canadian Albums Chart	1
	New Zealand Top Albums Chart	1
	Polish Albums Chart^[17]	16

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
2005	"Hypnotize"	Billboard Hot 100	57
		Modern Rock Tracks	1
		Mainstream Rock Tracks	5
2006	"Lonely Day"	Billboard Hot 100	120
		Modern Rock Tracks	10
		Mainstream Rock Tracks	10
		Australian ARIA Top 50	-
	"Kill Rock 'n Roll"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	-

Sales and certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)^[18]	Gold	20,000^*
Australia (ARIA)^[19]	Gold	35,000^{^}
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)^[20] 5-album bundle	Platinum	40,000^*
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)^[21]	Platinum	31,990^[21]
Germany (BVMI)^[22]	Gold	100,000^{^}
Ireland (IRMA)^[23]	Platinum	15,000^{^}
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[24]	Platinum	15,000^{^}
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)^[25]	Gold	20,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[26]	Platinum	1,000,000^{^}
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ Ingold,Chris (Nov 21, 2005). "System Of A Down – Hypnotize". musicOMH. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
^ ^a ^b Begrand, Adrien (2005-11-21). "System of a Down: Hypnotize". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
^ ^a ^b Fricke, David (2005-11-17). "System of a Down: Hypnotize : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
^ ^a ^b Gundersen, Edna (2005-11-21). "System of a Down zooms way up with 'Hypnotize'". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
^ "Hypnotize Reviews". Metacritic.
^ Loftus, Johnny. "Hypnotize - System of a Down". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
^ Sinclair, Tom (2005-11-25). "Hypnotize Review". Entertainment Weekly.
^ Lynskey, Dorian (November 18, 2019). "System of a Down, Hypnotize". The Guardian. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
^ Byrom, Cory D. (2005-11-21). "System of a Down: Mesmerize / Hypnotize". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
^ Allen, Jeremy (November 18, 2019). "Hypnotize - System Of A Down". Playlouder. Archived from the original on November 28, 2005. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
^ Shipley, Al (2005-12-14). "System Of A Down - Hypnotize - Review". Stylus Magazine.
^ Donnelly, Dave (2005-11-19). "Review: System of a Down - Hypnotize". Sputnikmusic.
^ "Underwood Leads Three Country Debuts Onto Chart". Billboard.
^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6hQbceSkRU. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ ^a ^b Alan Di Perna https://www.guitarworld.com/features/daron-malakian-21st-century-schizoid-man (September 29, 2008)
^ Fabrizio Pedrotti https://fabriziopedrotti.com/2019/07/18/shavo-odadjian-system-of-a-down-nunca-va-a-morir/ (July 18, 2019)
^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. 2005-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
^ "Austrian album certifications – System of a Down – Hypnotize" (in German). IFPI Austria.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
^ "Brazilian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
^ ^a ^b "System Of A Down" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (System Of A Down; 'Hypnotize')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
^ "The Irish Charts - 2005 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – System of a Down – Hypnotize". Recorded Music NZ.
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Hypnotize')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
^ "American album certifications – System of a Down – Hypnotize". Recording Industry Association of America.

[1] Ingold,Chris (Nov 21, 2005). "System Of A Down – Hypnotize". musicOMH. Retrieved March 31, 2014.

[pop-2] Begrand, Adrien (2005-11-21). "System of a Down: Hypnotize". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-09-22.

[rs-3] Fricke, David (2005-11-17). "System of a Down: Hypnotize : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2013-09-22.

[usa-today-4] Gundersen, Edna (2005-11-21). "System of a Down zooms way up with 'Hypnotize'". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-09-22.

[5] "Hypnotize Reviews". Metacritic.

[6] Loftus, Johnny. "Hypnotize - System of a Down". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-09-22.

[7] Sinclair, Tom (2005-11-25). "Hypnotize Review". Entertainment Weekly.

[8] Lynskey, Dorian (November 18, 2019). "System of a Down, Hypnotize". The Guardian. Retrieved August 15, 2019.

[9] Byrom, Cory D. (2005-11-21). "System of a Down: Mesmerize / Hypnotize". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2013-09-22.

[10] Allen, Jeremy (November 18, 2019). "Hypnotize - System Of A Down". Playlouder. Archived from the original on November 28, 2005. Retrieved August 15, 2019.

[11] Shipley, Al (2005-12-14). "System Of A Down - Hypnotize - Review". Stylus Magazine.

[12] Donnelly, Dave (2005-11-19). "Review: System of a Down - Hypnotize". Sputnikmusic.

[13] "Underwood Leads Three Country Debuts Onto Chart". Billboard.

[14] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6hQbceSkRU. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

[guitarworld.com-15] Alan Di Perna https://www.guitarworld.com/features/daron-malakian-21st-century-schizoid-man (September 29, 2008)

[16] Fabrizio Pedrotti https://fabriziopedrotti.com/2019/07/18/shavo-odadjian-system-of-a-down-nunca-va-a-morir/ (July 18, 2019)

[17] "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. 2005-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-23.

[AustriaSystem_of_a_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-18] "Austrian album certifications – System of a Down – Hypnotize" (in German). IFPI Austria.

[AustraliaSystem_of_a_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-19] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.

[BrazilSystem_of_a_DownSystem_of_a_DownalbumCertRef-20] "Brazilian album certifications – System of a Down – System of a Down" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.

[FinlandSystem_Of_A_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-21] "System Of A Down" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.

[GermanySystem_Of_A_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-22] "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (System Of A Down; 'Hypnotize')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.

[IrelandSystem_Of_A_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-23] "The Irish Charts - 2005 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association.

[New_ZealandSystem_of_a_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-24] "New Zealand album certifications – System of a Down – Hypnotize". Recorded Music NZ.

[SwitzerlandSystem_Of_A_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-25] "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Hypnotize')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.

[United_StatesSystem_of_a_DownHypnotizealbumCertRef-26] "American album certifications – System of a Down – Hypnotize". Recording Industry Association of America.

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