Toxicity (song)

"Toxicity"
US CD single
Single by System of a Down
from the album Toxicity
B-side"Störaged"
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2002
Recorded2001
StudioCello (Hollywood)
Genre
Length3:39
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
System of a Down singles chronology
"Chop Suey!"
(2001) 		"Toxicity"
(2002) 		"Aerials"
(2002)
Alternative cover
UK/European release. Colors may vary between red, grey or white.
UK/European release. Colors may vary between red, grey or white.
Music video
"Toxicity" on YouTube

"Toxicity" is a song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down. It was released in 2002, as the second single from their second album of the same name. The writing credits for the song are Malakian, Odadjian, and Tankian. It is known for its dynamic chorus, aggressive vocals, and prominent drum beat. The song is predominantly in triple meter, alternating between 6
4, 12
8 and 4
4 time. The guitar during the verse plays in 6
4 using a 2+2+2 phrasing while the heavy part ("somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep") makes use of a hemiola with the guitar switching to a 3+3+3+3 pattern while the drums remain in compound duple meter until the bridge. The song was ranked number 14 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs,[4] and was called a nu metal classic by Stylus Magazine.[2]

  1. ^ Suzanne-Mayer, Dominick (12 September 2019). "10 Nü-Metal Songs That Don't Totally Suck". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b Unterberger, Andrew (September 10, 2004). "Top Ten Nu-Metal Bands". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on October 9, 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  3. ^ Appleton, Brendan (December 14, 2023). "The Greatest Nu Metal Songs of All Time". Kerrang! Radio. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs". VH1.com. MTV. 4 May 2006. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2006. #14 Toxicity, System of a Down