I really hope that you will check out Greta Van Fleet sometime soon! I strongly recommend the song 'Heat Above', it's just a phenomenal song in every way.
While serji is main voice it's daron (aka secondary voice) who influence most band as whole. Both are very talented and after awhile it made them split for period of time. While you will explore SOAD you should check solo projects of both vocalists. My fav from daron is this one th-cam.com/video/wsmmQ1EqSIc/w-d-xo.html and from Serji is this one th-cam.com/video/GY9kQcWLvEM/w-d-xo.html
If you're looking for another good musical artist (these aren't that talented), check out the band Katatonia or Opeth. I don't think you'll find anyone as talented as Devy, though; he's the best. :) Although, Nina Hagen is pretty amazing and she is probably close or at Devin's level vocally
Fun story: years ago I used to bounce for a very, nationally reputable venue. SoaD came and I was working the barricade so I was less than 6-feet from Serj for the whole performance. He had the flu that night but wanted to carry on. The show went great, they sounded great, and the next day, I came down with the flu. Serj gave me the flu. 🤣
I love seeing music professionals listening to, appreciating and explaining why the music i've listened to for 20 years isn't "just loud noises". please tell my parents.
This perfectly describes what I feel when I watch these videos. Growing up listening to this type of music, my parents just thought it was noise. To hear a professional explain the intricacies of my favorite artists just validates what I thought as a kid.
I'm a bartender who works mostly day shift. 90% of the regulars on that shift are 50 and above. I've gotten them all hooked on Volbeat. I'm working on others.
SOAD is unironically one of the best bands of the 2000's. Mixing eastern scales and musical influence into harder heavy guitar was wayyyyy ahead of its time. Plus Serj has an incredible warm operatic voice which blends perfectly with Darron's voice which is more high tension and almost nasal.
Yeah, they don't really touch much on Eastern scales. Pakistani rock bands have merged Western with Eastern much more effectively. Junoon and Noori case in point if you want to go on a bit of an exploration.
People like her always makes me think there's a dark side underneath it all. Like she's actually full of hate and discrimination, but hides it all behind nice sounding rhetoric. Either that or she's like some sort of serial killer
Serj uses a middle eastern form of singing, being from the Armenian region. You get many hints of historical singing techniques from the area. Thats why often sounds strange or "twangy". It's his native tongue and most of their songs are about geopolitical problems and very deep topics that involve many countries and oppression throughout history. Incredible man. Golden voice.
The lyrics are about the cycle of existence. "Life is a waterfall." Before we get to the cliff we are one being flowing together, we are "one with the river." Then we separate into individual drops of water as we fall. The journey down is life. We live in the air during the fall, twisting, turning, dancing. An aerial is an acrobatic maneuver done in the sky. We are not acrobats in the sky, we are the maneuvers themselves. At the bottom, we hit water again and remember being a river. We become one again. I didn't get this read of it until 20 years of journeying later. I wonder if anyone else notices that songs they didn't totally understand but were moved by now make perfect sense.
Um, I thought the waterfall would be like Niagara... and it was, left school at 15 to join a band, 30 years successful muso, but then you hit the rocks and it's rapids all the way down, no protection (karma for all those groupies...). Its going to be a painful rocky finish, but what a ride.... ... apart from the cancer 🤭
Anthony Bourdain did a episode on his show “Parts Unknown” exploring the foods of Armenia with Serj as a co-host. Serj gets really in depth with the history of the Armenians, their genocide they endured, and how it all influenced their music. Truly an eye opening view into the roots of SOAD and where they truly came from.
If you're interested in the subject, I recommend the 2006 SOAD documentary Screamers. It goes through the history of genocides starting with Armenia and ending with Darfur. It's told through the eyes of the band and interspersed with interviews with their parents and grandparents telling their stories and live concert footage. th-cam.com/video/54HnhK3Mfnk/w-d-xo.html
Serjs and Darrins ability to go from beating their vocal chords like they owe them money to singing soft snd smooth has always amazed me and is a big reason im still listening after 20 years, you definitely need to check out more of their stuff.
Yeah toxicity is a perfect album, me i prefer mezmerise and hypnotize with the contrast between the songs in the 2 albums but i understand why you like so much this album, even for me it was a long time my favorite
I just want to say, it makes me feel so good to hear you analyze the bands I grew up listening too. When I was young, 99% of adults did not understand this music. To hear a professional explain the intricacies, sort of validates what I felt when I was a kid. Thank you for making these videos.
It's hard to go wrong with song choice. Toxicity, BYOB, Sugar (explicit), Spiders. A more obscure favorite of mine is "Suggestions," from their first album.
I think the "Beethoven sound" she was referring to is really the key. They really like their minor harmonic keys, It gives them their very unique middle eastern twang to their instrumental sounds and complements Serj's singing style. Their music is very cool cuz of the small nuances of it.
As an Indian, I found their music very interesting the first time I heard them. It felt close to Indian than other rock bands but still not quite Indian at all. Once I learnt about their Armenian roots it all made sense.
"It's not normal" pretty much sums up System of a Down. It's why System is my favorite band. I'm so happy you finally got around to Serj's vocals. I loved your analysis and I hope you continue looking at SOAD's music and Serj's solo songs. I'd love to hear you evaluate SOAD's greatest song, "Chop Suey!" as well as Serj's song "Occupied Tears."
Daron, the guitarist, is such an amazing singer as well. They compliment each other perfectly. Daron has a solo project called Scars on Broadway and their first album is absolutely amazing
Imagine growing up with this insanely unique sound and not getting an album since 2005. It's actually depressing. I talk to my wife all the time about how I could die a happy man if I got another full SOAD album.
There was actually an update from serj recently he said there is a possibility. And coming from him, that is hopeful. No tour, but he's willing to do a new record.
Serj's voice is so distinct, dude can pull of gentle intimate harmonies and suddenly ramp up to crazy levels raw vocal power, always gives me chills, the best kind of chills.
I absolutely love SOAD. The toxicity album got me through a pretty dark place in my life. I lost my house in a fire. The summer before losing my house, I had re-shingled it myself. The whole time I was working on it, I had just bought this album and was really digesting it while i was working. The very first thing i bought myself after my basic needs were met was my second copy of this album. It also prompted me to pick the guitar back up after years. I learned this whole album on guitar and bass. This was the first song I learned. Watching somone elses honest reaction to music that I have loved for nearly two decades is something my soul needed that I didn't know that i did. Thank you for sharing your journey.
What I always liked about SoaD was how Serj and Darron can go from screaming to singing normally in their songs. The dynamic is really cool to hear. Big reason why I always liked Linkin Park too. Chester did the same thing.
Finally you get to experience Serj Tankians beautiful voice. Can't wait to watch this. Hopefully you get a chance to listen to some of his solo tracks like Empty Walls as well in the future.
Serj's vocals are incredible, extremely identifiable. And Daron's (co lead vocals) are as well, they're different, but it's like they were made specifically to go together.
@@davidlisteresq I thoroughly enjoyed Scars on Broadway, because I’ve always loved Daron’s vocals, and felt like he was the weirdo in the band. I thought Serj’s stuff was OK, but Daron’s was a lot closer to SOAD. I think Chemicals could’ve easily fit onto one of their albums. Especially the later ones where Daron’s vocals were featured more prominently.
@@davidlisteresq I don't care for Scars on Broadway but I thoroughly enjoy some of Serj's solo stuff. edit: at least we can agree Malakian and Tankian are better as a team than solo?
@@willisondocarmo9368 haha, no. I tried to say that Spiders is Serj Tankian's best vocal performance. But I understand your point of view 'cause Holy Mountains is one of their bests, clearly.
SOAD is arguably the most unique band of our generation. That's why everyone loves them of all walks of life. Because they don't sound like the every-band of today
And the fact they became SO popular with their sound. Nobody can deny how much their music hits the soul and is so relevant. So refreshing to hear musicians not just sing about break-ups
I love hearing trained professionals marvel at Serj's technique because he's such a unique presence in metal. I would absolutely love coverage of more of their songs off Toxicity - songs like Toxicity and Chop Suey are AMAZING examples of clarity and serving the lyrics in fast passages. His transitions between more intense lyric focused stuff and longer notes is really something unique and i'd love to hear your opinion on his technique.
Honesty requires me to say: this is SOAD using its 'cleanest' vocals on this album. They play around a lot with insanity, unexpected twists and odd sounds. Aerials is beautiful and, especially for them; a polished sound. Normally it is a very experimental kind of metal. Back in the day they made it a sport to catch even the most notorious of metal elitists off guard. With odd hyperactive mechanisms, unusual choices, unpredictable screams and guitars that just followed that. It felt unhinged, unreal but oddly satisfying at the same time. xD it's difficult to explain.
Sorry but it is only difficult to explain If you dont know enough about music. Which is easy to Happen in serj tankian. But it still is Kind of an insult to Call it either insanity or Experimental. IT Just is way beyond anything you learned yet. AS she explains in the Video too.
I love how she catches so much of the core nuances of the band from such small sections. I have never heard SOAD compared to grunge or Alice in Chains mixed with Tool but as soon as she said it I could see it. Her comment of "it's pretty" caught me! SOAD is often a contrast between pretty and grotesque, discord and melody. These are the things I love about them although some songs take it too far and ruin what could have been much more interesting. Not this song though, it is a great first experience with the band although Toxicity would have been my choice.
@Beast Militia hmmm, as great as Chop Suey is (meaning uber-great) I think their core views might be better represented in Holy Mountains to an extent? But if they have any bad songs I've yet to hear em, so there's no arguments here! I love the band so much I coerced friends into forming an acoustic tribute band with guitar, mandolin, cello, bass, banjo and a cajon. Never was so much fun had 😁
Yeah, I agree as well her getting the Alice In Chains and Tool vibe. I would add Rage Against The Machine and Korn as well. Korn with the harmonies SOAD is so good with. Definitely RATM with their message. The message that RATM and SOAD has is fairly similar but SOAD brings the SoCal vibe to it to lighten it up a bit and with that SoCal vibe it does remind me a bit of Red Hot Chili Peppers. They are all unique bands into themselves but they also have similarities with each other too. Not so different than the rock bands from other generations.
I love how she's not a metal head yet her reaction is exactly the same as metalheads when we hear something this good for the first time lol. When she heard the harmonization at the end I completely understood
“Question!” Is a must listen! Awesome time signature changes, get to hear both Serj and Darren scream, and a beautiful syncopated melody. These guys have so much originality to them it’s a new experience with each song. Enjoy the journey!
I absolutely second this. I know there will be plenty of requests for their classics, but “Question!” immediately came to mind when I was thinking about what would be another beautiful example to listen to.
Despite being the first SOAD song I heard, it manages to fall outside of my radar time after time. Thank you for reminding me to listen to it once again. A genuinely impressive piece of music.
System Of A Down songs with great harmonization: "Lost in Hollywood" "Question!" "Radio/Video" and many more. Please deep dive into System Of A Down, you'll love it
This channel really warms my heart seeing somebody from such an impressive musical background taking this music that we all treasure so seriously and having fun with no preconceived notions
The ending of Aerials is and always has been phenomenal. It’s packed with sentiments, and makes you feel in touch with your roots. I ALWAYS go all out. Literal goosebumps every time.
Empty Walls was a part of my coming home therapy... a later part: confrontation. It's still like a stab in the gut that I walk into on purpose. Gorgeous song.
One of those truly unique groups. No one else out there like them. Their Armenian ethnic background was a huge influence on chord progressions and scales/harmonies.
"To my ears, this is pleasing" Yeah, that's what every human on Earth says listening to Serj for the first time. I've been a SOAD fan since 8th grade watching MTV2 they played chop suey! And the internet was starting to get big... i was definitely hooked ❤
It’s always nice to see someone, especially a professional, experience the same joy I did discovering an artist that I’ve been listening to for 20 years.
"Spiders" was their first single(EDIT--2ND SINGLE), and I remember seeing them perform on Conan around 125am sometime in '98. I bought the album (self-titled) the next (same) day. A great example of Serj Tankian's otherworldly timbre and power.
the "lose ourselves but we find it all" is referring to ego death and enlightenment and the realization that everything is interconnected and we're all one.
It's really cool when she reacts to some of his sounds. Her honest interest and fascination with Serj and System of a Down and TOOL etc really reinforces the ideas that I've always had about all of this stuff. That there's depth there, there's things that are being explored and said that... Everyone just rolls their eyes if people like stuff like this as if we're just "rock music people" and are below them and their _"proper"_ music.
I completely agree and couldn’t have said it better. It hurts when this genre and others like it are just categorized as “noise” rather than broken down into and explored for you to realize the true beauty and meaning of these songs
Couldn't agree more. I watched a reaction video a year or so back of people reacting to KoRn. I may or may not have stopped the video early after getting annoyed. They had called KoRn's music "Satanic Noise."
There's definitely lots of people that do roll their eyes, but don't fall into the identity trap-rock and metal owned the 90's and 2000's and broke its way into pop music. When certain forms of hip hop finally overtook it (and the barometer is how pop songs started all using those elements instead), we'd already had a great few decades of magic made. I watch a ton of reaction videos to metal and there's plenty of the new youth who discover System and other bands of the same cohort and quickly take or learn to love it. There's plenty of life left in the rock/metal world.
@@kunstlerischdragon8592 Too true! By my reckoning, a vapid, meaningless, and blatantly judgemental phrase like "satanic noise" is effectively not very different from "rock music people" I'm reminded of the cold, mean, and bitter father/pastor (acted brilliantly by John Lithgow) who had a deep fear-based hatred of dancing. Ow! My eyeballs hurt from the vicious over-roll lol 🤣
the problem is that probably the majority of "rock" fans dont have the ability to dissect or explain the music like she can or even know why they like it. so they cant defend it. so when people call it just noise they dont know how to respond. Speaking of noise. i went to a rock party once and got a thundering headache after a two hours. so yeah it is noise lmao. i like listening to rock but i stay away from the parties :p.
SOAD has the best harmonies since Alice in Chains, and Queen before them- Serj's voice is super unique. Even their more popular & heavy stuff showcases his voice and their harmonies in a super unique way. The most important influence on their vocal styles is their Armenian heritage. I feel like it's super evident not only in their vocal styling, but in a lot of the timing in theor arrangements
Daron's voice is just as unusual and unique as Serj's in that regard. That's what makes their combined harmonies feel like a whole choir with so many layers.
I'm 35 years old, System Of A Down was my first and only concert so far and even after so many years I still get emotional hearing their songs.. Thank you guys ❤❤❤
There's two albums I listened to all the way through in high school, never skipped a song. One was Linkin Park Hybrid Theory and the other was System of a Down Toxicity.
Same Here, 2000´s band during Highschool among others, But LP and SOAD were the ones i most enojoyed listening. Riding the car all night with my friends with SOAD, priceless
They did a live full performance in Armenia, at night in the centre of the city all closed off. They are a treasure to their people and to see that was emotionally overloading. It's on TH-cam watch it 👌 it's something special. Truly
The song "Dreaming" has to have one of the most overwhelmingly complex vocal parts. The harmonies are insane in this one, also have lots of back and forth between the vocalists, and even some chaotic parts where the vocalists are singing different lyrics over each other.
Alice In Chains meets Tool is probably one of the best descriptions I've heard for SOAD's sound lol Serj is in a league all his own though. His vocals and his harmony with Daron is incredible
I’ve listened to this song countless times and love it, but to hear it broken down and discussed like this has given me another level of appreciation 👌 Awesome video
I swear, today, while I was listening this songs during a workout, I though: "How is it possible that Elizabeth never reacted to any of their songs?? I wonder what's taking her that long, I'm sure people are requesting SOAD a lot, they are iconic band..", and here we are :D Btw, so glad you choose this song, I think it's great introduction, but can't wait to hear some more SOAD reactions!! :)
the answer is quite simple Sasa, Elizabeth before starting this channel never knew what Metal music was like, it was underground, underrated and misunderstood by the majority of society, by the time she finally got introduced to Metal and liking it, well there are hundreds of bands and tens of thousands of songs to check out, all while doing so on the channel.
I'm so glad I found this channel. Your experience and analysis is riveting. 10:08 I always thought it was the discussion of alienation. The child is thrust into the world they don't understand. It makes them feel weird, uncomfortable and alien. Their inner feeling is reflected in their appearance thus making them look like an alien. We turn around and put up the walls is a realization that people feel like they don't belong which makes others perceive them as weird and creepy - words often used to describe the child in the music video. Perhaps it's also a social commentary targeted inwards as they're stars who seem like they could never belong in the world of show business. Could they feel like strangers even though they're a part of that world?
"Is this Alice in Chains meetsTool?" is terrifyingly the most accurate description of SOAD that I've ever been smacked in the face with. Yes, SOAD is completely original in a lot of ways but you have to admit the similarities are there.
The thing is that they are harsh and heavy like Alice in Chains but they are Armenian and use their folk elements, which can be confused with the Tool Indian influence.
There has never been anyone like Serj and there will never will be again. He blesses your soul with beautiful sounds and pulls at emotions you didn't even know existed. Then to have Darrin's voice accentuate the sounds is AMAZING. SoAD is absolutely . . . It's not even "one of a kind" because that - to me - implies that there has been, is, or could be others of the same caliber, and that's simply not true. SoAD changed music in every way. They are the ONLY of a breed that will never be seen again.
I got kicked out of ozzfest during toxicity because I made some drunken comment in response to a woman's drunken comment, and then fought back when her boyfriend, husband, or dad idfk, started choking me.
Toxicity is a masterpiece of an album all on it's own. Not shutting down your opinion of the song, because it's also fantastic. Just wanted to put it out there for people who are just learning about SOAD.
I approve of the Daron praise. Dude is a underrated genius of our era. It's such a shame the band/he fell apart after Hypno/Mezmo because I feel like we really missed out on what might have been. Scars and Serjs solo work we're both great first albums don't get me wrong. I just wish they could've run parallel to the band.
@@ayeyuh6920 Daron wants to keep the creative control for himself, Serj wants equal distribution between him and Daron. The are friends and in no way the band will seek another singer, since Serj is an integral parto of SOAD, thus, there will be no new music, EVER.
@@alejandrovidal5355 I've never seen anything like that outside of rumors and no one in the band has ever said that, to my knowledge. From what I've gathered, Serj just didn't want to continue making that kind of music, and the band did. People point fingers at Daron all day but Serj is the one who left. It's no ones fault, just differences.
Serj and Daron harmonize so well and use that to add a unique quality to many of their songs, however Ego Brain and Lonely Day showcases this masterfully!
The song is a warning... you float through the void and tentatively reach out to, but there are elements that wish to allure you, to use you, to lie to you. And it is easy to loose yourself to the signals you receive, to the religion of glamour and money, as you are guided and manipulated through life. I think the lyrics and the weaving of the different, often initially contrasting, elements/ideas describe this perfectly. The video is very clever too and in keeping with the song. Ironically this beautifully crafted song IS itself an example of the clever manipulation it is talking about. A thought, I am sure, that is not lost on the band, who appear to love to point out the ironies of life, along with it's beauty, absurdities and cruelty. Music with layers.
System of a Down is still one of the most unique bands ever. I don't think anyone could ever replicate their sound and the amazing feeling they create.
Since you’re going through System of a Down definitely listen to “Spiders”. The first album is unjustifiably underrated. Still my favorite after all these years.
Serj and Daron are like the Righteous Brothers or Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell in that they were 100% destined to sing together, that's how good their harmonies are. Check out radio/video if you want to hear that beautiful dynamic throughout basically the whole song.
i was raised on this band, im so surprised there are people that haven’t heard any of their stuff before, but regardless this is an incredible analysis and i am in love with how in depth and touched you felt by the music. not only were you obviously dissecting it objectively, but you also really connected and FELT the music which is beautiful to watch!
That outro harmonization has always struck me as hauntingly beautiful. This has been my favorite SOAD song for a while. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s felt that sense of desperation when he makes the upward vibrato slide on “all.” It helped me to kind of unpack the same meaning you got that, in desperation, we as a people are willing to give up our identities in any social setting to fit in. In the meantime, we’ve lost the very essence of who we are as individuals. Beautiful breakdown of a short, yet incredibly layered song!
12:55 the guitar player holds the high note straight while the singer meets him up to that note while doing his vibrato style. Man this stuff is so fascinating seeing your videos analyzing all of these rock bands I grew up listening to. I've mentioned in an older video that I have basically lost my true passion for music. I was a "Star Pupil" in band in HS, life happened and fell out of even fundamentals of theory, but your vids have helped re awaken that, so I very much appreciate what you do with these react videos (edit note: She JUST explained what I was saying lol, they also hold the AAAHHHH together as well)
I love when you say, "so many things happened in that last bit." So many things happen in EVERY bit of EVERY System of a Down song. Serj has SO MANY different sounds to his voice within the same some. It is truly remarkable.
As a therapist, I love how you incorporate feeling words as vocal descriptors. It’s added a special element that I don’t see from other vocal reactors. I’d love to see your reaction to Amy Winehouse’s “wake up alone” from the Lioness album 💜
As a new guitarist, I was learning this song today and noticed that bit you mentioned about the slightly unstable repetition on the guitar in the softer parts. It’s very interesting when you look at where it’s broken up with the 1-2’s versus the 1-2-3’s since they aren’t evenly spaced out, as well as the fact that it’s actually skipping over the 2 and playing 1-3 instead. It all helps to add to the sense of unease within repetition, which normally gives off a sense of security. All very well written on SOAD’s part, they’re truly great artists and songwriters!
Toxicity is a 10/10 album. Amazing from the first song to the last. Serj has such a powerful voice, and an amazing range. Always loved the contrasting vocals of Serj and Daron
The only Soad song I can name is Chop Suey! and it's been at least 8-10 years since I have listened to it. I like the fact that the backing vocals are not Serj doubling himself like in every other band but they are making it more like it would be live with one of the other band members singing backing. Unless I'm wrong. Either way, I'm going to listen to more of them soon.
Listening to your criticism of many metal bands and singers I love I realise that music isn't about perfection, which is what I believed was what it took to be a musician/vocalist. I now know it's about expression. Every voice and band is different each with their own unique range, quality and passion. Thank you for giving me the hope of one day being a musician.
Don’t be perfect. Be yourself. Perfection is boring. Truth is beauty and these guys expressed their own truth which is rare, especially in this overly commercialized age. Express your own truth and go for what you want.
Serj and Daron have some of the coolest harmonies ever. It's always ever so slightly dissonant which I suppose creates that haunting quality. For another example, I really recommend checking out 'Holy Mountains' live.
I don't know anything about Armenian music, but I bet some of these (to us strange sounding) harmonies go back to traditional Armenian music. It would be interesting to explore that angle.
His operatic upbringing vocally is such a vital part of how amazing his vocal range is. He's one of a kind as well as System of a Down is a as a band. Great breakdown, need more SOAD
I highly recommend more of SOAD, especially BYOB and Sugar. Serj is a master as using his voice to share important messages and emotions. What I really love about the band is how heavy it is WHILE keeping that very armenian touch in harmonies and strings. All the band is armenian, actually and are very proud of their culture and their rich history.
Serj Tankian and Darren Malakian were phenomenal together. Their sound is very different and unique. It's a shame that they can't settle their differences and be a band again.
For real! Like your both sober now - maybe that's the problem 🤔. But seriously the 3 or 4 shows they do every couple years in California and Vegas just don't cut it. Now is the time for new soad! We NEED new soad!!!!
there is no differences within trhem as people, they are friends, and have evenm nopth stated this on many occasions. they just musically have diffrences
It’s the drummer John that didn’t always get along with Serj but they still consider each other as brothers. Serj is way more left leaning and John is a hyper conservative Republican so they don’t see eye to eye on almost anything
The thing about SOAD’s music is, it’s normally very explosive, with a notable exception being “Spiders”. Surj’s voice is very dynamic and he has a pretty good range.
I have grown to love these reactions. Elizabeth, you're such a music nerd, and I'm all for it. Finally someone articulates the musicality that I hear, but can't always explain.
I feel lucky to be part of the generation who grew up with this. My late middle school high school years I got really into system. Funnily enough my little sister (7 years younger than me) had a suuuuper obsessive phase with them too.
Me too and I'm 59. I took my son and 2 of his friends in 10th grade to see them in Orlando and they knew every word to every song. I blast System every time I can. CHILLS with a good stereo.
@@karlmcnealjr thats awesome. My dad listened to everything under the sun and I have alot of great memories of jamming out to music with him. That rocks that you gave your kids that experience and those memories will stay with them forever!
My sister is actually the one who got me into System in the first place. I was basically the one who was super obsessed afterwards and they are the reason I picked up a guitar. Siblings can be pretty awesome!
Your reaction is how I want to experience SOAD every single time. I’ll be driving nearly in tears just because of how moved I am by just his VOICE. Absolutely devastatingly beautiful
If you want something to get a feel for Serj going all in, I recommend...well any song from their performance in 2015 live in Armenia. The band gave it literally EVERYTHING they had, seeing the concert as a almost 100 year act of defiance against their former oppressors. As Daron put it. "This isn't a rock and roll concert. To our murderers. This. Is. Revenge!!"
Daren Malakian is the backup vocalist. Both have their own projects they have been doing from what I know. Both groups/artists are definitely worth a listen.
Almost the same chill everyone gets when they hear this song for the first time 😂😂😂 i love how genuine your reaction is & how we can see your appreciation to the music in your eyes 🙂🙂 system of a down should be archived
We just released merchandise! Check out the full line-up here: thecharismaticmerch.com
I really hope that you will check out Greta Van Fleet sometime soon! I strongly recommend the song 'Heat Above', it's just a phenomenal song in every way.
I recommend some of the best songs from SOAD chop suey / toxic city / BYOB. and I hope you will make more reaction videos from SOAD
More PANTERA 🤟🏻 and Led Zeppelin too Whole lotta love.
While serji is main voice it's daron (aka secondary voice) who influence most band as whole. Both are very talented and after awhile it made them split for period of time. While you will explore SOAD you should check solo projects of both vocalists. My fav from daron is this one th-cam.com/video/wsmmQ1EqSIc/w-d-xo.html and from Serji is this one th-cam.com/video/GY9kQcWLvEM/w-d-xo.html
If you're looking for another good musical artist (these aren't that talented), check out the band Katatonia or Opeth. I don't think you'll find anyone as talented as Devy, though; he's the best. :) Although, Nina Hagen is pretty amazing and she is probably close or at Devin's level vocally
Fun story: years ago I used to bounce for a very, nationally reputable venue. SoaD came and I was working the barricade so I was less than 6-feet from Serj for the whole performance. He had the flu that night but wanted to carry on. The show went great, they sounded great, and the next day, I came down with the flu. Serj gave me the flu. 🤣
I wouldn't even be mad that I had the flu, I would be honored hahaha
You can proudly say that Serj and you shared the same flu 😂
it is coz thw concert was sick. it infected you too
Legendary flu catchage
Next step: Covid from Serj.
Serj's vocals still gives me chills after almost 20 years listening to them
Absolutely! So good!
Somehow this band/music does not age like many other bands from that era.
He is incredibly underrated.
Seriously, if I can describe his vocals in one word I would say driven, he can seriously drive a note home and it’s filled with a purpose.
Same here!
I love seeing music professionals listening to, appreciating and explaining why the music i've listened to for 20 years isn't "just loud noises". please tell my parents.
I got my dad hooked on this channel 👍🏼
This perfectly describes what I feel when I watch these videos. Growing up listening to this type of music, my parents just thought it was noise. To hear a professional explain the intricacies of my favorite artists just validates what I thought as a kid.
I'm a bartender who works mostly day shift. 90% of the regulars on that shift are 50 and above. I've gotten them all hooked on Volbeat. I'm working on others.
@@ingloriousbetch4302 Thats awesome!!!! love to hear that
@@flonkas older folks like rockabilly. They can't help it. 😘
SOAD is unironically one of the best bands of the 2000's. Mixing eastern scales and musical influence into harder heavy guitar was wayyyyy ahead of its time. Plus Serj has an incredible warm operatic voice which blends perfectly with Darron's voice which is more high tension and almost nasal.
SOAD is 98% western scales, though.
Yeah, they don't really touch much on Eastern scales. Pakistani rock bands have merged Western with Eastern much more effectively. Junoon and Noori case in point if you want to go on a bit of an exploration.
Someone needs to look up the definition of unironically and stop using words they don't understand. It doesn't make you witty or smart.
Except when he's screaming bloody murder!
I don't think you know what irony is, or how to use it properly in a sentence.
I love Elizabeth's boundless enthusiasm, open mindedness, and general appreciation of music. It's a real joy to watch, very genuine and infectious.
its almost like its her job.
@@bradcallahan3546 passion and joy, I think. A lotta jobs are merely routine.
People like her always makes me think there's a dark side underneath it all. Like she's actually full of hate and discrimination, but hides it all behind nice sounding rhetoric. Either that or she's like some sort of serial killer
@@bradcallahan3546 one's job and one's passions rarely align, she's one of the fortunate ones for whom they actually do.
That's true
Serj uses a middle eastern form of singing, being from the Armenian region. You get many hints of historical singing techniques from the area. Thats why often sounds strange or "twangy". It's his native tongue and most of their songs are about geopolitical problems and very deep topics that involve many countries and oppression throughout history.
Incredible man. Golden voice.
Geopolitical and don't forget love songs. everyone has those.
That's a really great synopsis
🙏
Golden character serj is
Deep topics:
PEPPERONI AND GREEN PEPPERS MUSHROOMS OLIVES CHIVES
I can’t count the amount of times I’ve heard this song but her bringing up Beethoven completely blew my mind.
I immediately paused and went to my piano
I never thought about Beethoven before at the beginning of the song
That’s why I love this channel. She always points out things that go right over my head, then it clicks for me too.
The lyrics are about the cycle of existence. "Life is a waterfall." Before we get to the cliff we are one being flowing together, we are "one with the river." Then we separate into individual drops of water as we fall. The journey down is life. We live in the air during the fall, twisting, turning, dancing. An aerial is an acrobatic maneuver done in the sky. We are not acrobats in the sky, we are the maneuvers themselves. At the bottom, we hit water again and remember being a river. We become one again. I didn't get this read of it until 20 years of journeying later. I wonder if anyone else notices that songs they didn't totally understand but were moved by now make perfect sense.
Wow! I didn't know that, thanks.
My thoughts were wow thanks for that but I am the 2nd to say it but hey I have to say it, thank you x
❤THXX1000 für diese Wunderbare Info. WAAO best Blessings and Peace and Energy ❤🌎👍💖👈💥🙏
Um, I thought the waterfall would be like Niagara... and it was, left school at 15 to join a band, 30 years successful muso, but then you hit the rocks and it's rapids all the way down, no protection (karma for all those groupies...). Its going to be a painful rocky finish, but what a ride....
... apart from the cancer 🤭
@@andythompson2009 Good on the groupies lol Just standing up for women lol
Anthony Bourdain did a episode on his show “Parts Unknown” exploring the foods of Armenia with Serj as a co-host. Serj gets really in depth with the history of the Armenians, their genocide they endured, and how it all influenced their music. Truly an eye opening view into the roots of SOAD and where they truly came from.
I don’t know much about Armenia but I do know that there’s some really beautiful traditional needle lace from there
Cenk Yogurt has something to say about Armenia
If you're interested in the subject, I recommend the 2006 SOAD documentary Screamers. It goes through the history of genocides starting with Armenia and ending with Darfur. It's told through the eyes of the band and interspersed with interviews with their parents and grandparents telling their stories and live concert footage. th-cam.com/video/54HnhK3Mfnk/w-d-xo.html
Tony 🥺❤️
I need to look up that episode.
Serjs and Darrins ability to go from beating their vocal chords like they owe them money to singing soft snd smooth has always amazed me and is a big reason im still listening after 20 years, you definitely need to check out more of their stuff.
soft and smooth and then just bump an octave nbd
Daron
They are a dichotomous dichotomy...very very bipolar...its why i love them!
"beating their vocal chords like they owe them money" what a great description 🤣
Yaaaas. I’d say the same for Chester from linkin park. Epic 15+ second screams right back to gorgeous soft vocals
Their Toxicity album is a masterpiece of an album. Seriously, one of the all around best albums from start to finish.
It's my absolute favorite album of all time. It was a perfect coalescing of astonishingly good music and relevant social commentary.
Yeah toxicity is a perfect album, me i prefer mezmerise and hypnotize with the contrast between the songs in the 2 albums but i understand why you like so much this album, even for me it was a long time my favorite
Yes. Toxicity defines like two whole years of my teenage life.
I feel that way about every System album to be honest.
Agreed
I just want to say, it makes me feel so good to hear you analyze the bands I grew up listening too. When I was young, 99% of adults did not understand this music. To hear a professional explain the intricacies, sort of validates what I felt when I was a kid. Thank you for making these videos.
17:29 - It's so great when someone finally explains to you why you are getting goose bumps for 20 years while listening to this song.
It’s so great when someone finally explains to you why you make “the stank face.”.
For real I loved watching her nerd out about this beautiful piece of harmony.
I feel that with each of her videos..
The vocals are top notch for the genre. Love to hear the eval.
it's allergies mate
It's hard to go wrong with song choice. Toxicity, BYOB, Sugar (explicit), Spiders. A more obscure favorite of mine is "Suggestions," from their first album.
You forgot Chic 'N' Stu
Spiders should be next..!
Yes.. Suggestions!
Suggestions! Or Soil. "WHY THE FUCK DID YOU TAKE HIM AWAY FROM US YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"
yes my favorite track. Thats what i commented
You haven't even begun to touch/explore the range of this man's vocal phrasing abilities. He and this band are uniquely one of a kind.
I can't wait to explore it all!
@@TheCharismaticVoice B.Y.O.B is a really good example of this bands extreme diversity.
Yeah, this is like one of the more tamer songs.
Yea as soon as she said he maybe has a lot of variety in his voice I was like: "oh my sweet summer child"
@@TheCharismaticVoice please do Toxicity🤘
I think the "Beethoven sound" she was referring to is really the key. They really like their minor harmonic keys, It gives them their very unique middle eastern twang to their instrumental sounds and complements Serj's singing style. Their music is very cool cuz of the small nuances of it.
As an Indian, I found their music very interesting the first time I heard them. It felt close to Indian than other rock bands but still not quite Indian at all. Once I learnt about their Armenian roots it all made sense.
Holy shit fellow Indian SOAD fan? Where are you?@@nikhilreddy8550
Daron is such an underappreciated vocalist himself. "Lonely Day" wouldn't have been as powerful (or beautiful) with just Serj's vocals.
Lonely Day is one of my favorite songs of theirs! Daron’s voice holds so much emotion.
True story! One of my favorites of theirs.
@@midgey50 Same!
That is such a beautiful song.
I remember years back listening to "Questions" and my old man coming in the room like "My god, you can understand what they're saying"
"It's not normal" pretty much sums up System of a Down. It's why System is my favorite band. I'm so happy you finally got around to Serj's vocals. I loved your analysis and I hope you continue looking at SOAD's music and Serj's solo songs. I'd love to hear you evaluate SOAD's greatest song, "Chop Suey!" as well as Serj's song "Occupied Tears."
Come now. WE ALL know I‐E‐A‐I‐A‐I‐O is System's best song...
@@kevinwilson455 Question is their best 😉
i agree with kevin more but be honest, it's Forest
Chop Suey; One of the greatest songs ever written!
Daron, the guitarist, is such an amazing singer as well. They compliment each other perfectly. Daron has a solo project called Scars on Broadway and their first album is absolutely amazing
Love Scars on Broadway!
Agree!
Thanks for the discovery!
Scars on Broadway, to me, was better than Serj's solo stuff. It makes sense since Daron wrote over 90% of SOAD's material.
@@chrisondrovic3106 I would agree, that first Scars album was fantastic start to finish.
Imagine growing up with this insanely unique sound and not getting an album since 2005. It's actually depressing. I talk to my wife all the time about how I could die a happy man if I got another full SOAD album.
did you not listen to the new songs from 2018?
I do enjoy Scars on Broadway... Its only serj but its still more content :)
@@cyrusthevirus8950 Daron and John you mean
Could happen 🤟
There was actually an update from serj recently he said there is a possibility. And coming from him, that is hopeful. No tour, but he's willing to do a new record.
Serj's voice is so distinct, dude can pull of gentle intimate harmonies and suddenly ramp up to crazy levels raw vocal power, always gives me chills, the best kind of chills.
Talented man
he sings sad songs with a warm voice, it makes all the difference ♥
Their song "Question?" From their double album "Hypnotize,Mesmorize" has incredible harmony between the singers and it's tearjerking at times.
YES, PLEASE! People often forget this gem when they´re recommending System!
And all of the odd time signatures!
@@IlRet Yeah! And those changes in intensity that are so usual in them...
It’s Question!
yes yes yes !! Question? PLEASE :P
I absolutely love SOAD. The toxicity album got me through a pretty dark place in my life. I lost my house in a fire. The summer before losing my house, I had re-shingled it myself. The whole time I was working on it, I had just bought this album and was really digesting it while i was working. The very first thing i bought myself after my basic needs were met was my second copy of this album. It also prompted me to pick the guitar back up after years. I learned this whole album on guitar and bass. This was the first song I learned. Watching somone elses honest reaction to music that I have loved for nearly two decades is something my soul needed that I didn't know that i did. Thank you for sharing your journey.
What I always liked about SoaD was how Serj and Darron can go from screaming to singing normally in their songs. The dynamic is really cool to hear. Big reason why I always liked Linkin Park too. Chester did the same thing.
RIP Chester 🥰💕🥰
Listen to jinjer. She’s incredible at that
Finally you get to experience Serj Tankians beautiful voice. Can't wait to watch this. Hopefully you get a chance to listen to some of his solo tracks like Empty Walls as well in the future.
Serj is a amazing musician e can do it all
Sky is Over is also great.
Specially the Live version from the Elect the Dead Symphony album
His voice definitely has some beautiful timbres to it. I really can't wait to explore it even more!
@@TheCharismaticVoice Spiders its a must one :)
Serj's vocals are incredible, extremely identifiable. And Daron's (co lead vocals) are as well, they're different, but it's like they were made specifically to go together.
I listened to both of their solo projects (even saw Scars on broadway live) and although good, they both really shine when they are together
@@davidlisteresq I thoroughly enjoyed Scars on Broadway, because I’ve always loved Daron’s vocals, and felt like he was the weirdo in the band. I thought Serj’s stuff was OK, but Daron’s was a lot closer to SOAD. I think Chemicals could’ve easily fit onto one of their albums. Especially the later ones where Daron’s vocals were featured more prominently.
@@kernelpickle yeah totally. Chemicals is a great track. Scars were certainly the band I preferred over Serjs solo stuff.
Malakian's vocals are good, but I felt like they complemented Serj's so well, but didn't really work in his Scars on Broadway project.
@@davidlisteresq I don't care for Scars on Broadway but I thoroughly enjoy some of Serj's solo stuff.
edit: at least we can agree Malakian and Tankian are better as a team than solo?
The song "Holy Mountains" was voted by Revolver magazine as Serj Tankian's best vocal performance by System Of A Down, worth a reaction.
That Daron's scream in the final of the music makes it the best SOAD song of all time
Well, I think is Spiders.
Does spiders has Daron screamming histerically?
@@willisondocarmo9368 haha, no. I tried to say that Spiders is Serj Tankian's best vocal performance. But I understand your point of view 'cause Holy Mountains is one of their bests, clearly.
Definitely Holy Mountains, Question! and Suggestions are songs where you can most appreciate Serj's voice
SOAD is arguably the most unique band of our generation. That's why everyone loves them of all walks of life. Because they don't sound like the every-band of today
there are bands today? /s
(ahem) PRIMUS.
@@robmathews5419 primus fucking sucks
Mr. Bungle
And the fact they became SO popular with their sound. Nobody can deny how much their music hits the soul and is so relevant. So refreshing to hear musicians not just sing about break-ups
I love hearing trained professionals marvel at Serj's technique because he's such a unique presence in metal. I would absolutely love coverage of more of their songs off Toxicity - songs like Toxicity and Chop Suey are AMAZING examples of clarity and serving the lyrics in fast passages. His transitions between more intense lyric focused stuff and longer notes is really something unique and i'd love to hear your opinion on his technique.
100% because I can't really explain why I love certain kinds of music, but the pros help me put in to words what I hear
Not to mention "Spiders"
@@0BuLLeT01 yeah baby.. I came here to write that. Loved the SOAD lads since Soil.
Yes Chop Suey please. The last minute of that song is an absolute vocal masterpiece.
Chop suey is such a terrible song and it's held up as a masterpiece.
It's such a confused song
Honesty requires me to say: this is SOAD using its 'cleanest' vocals on this album. They play around a lot with insanity, unexpected twists and odd sounds. Aerials is beautiful and, especially for them; a polished sound. Normally it is a very experimental kind of metal.
Back in the day they made it a sport to catch even the most notorious of metal elitists off guard. With odd hyperactive mechanisms, unusual choices, unpredictable screams and guitars that just followed that. It felt unhinged, unreal but oddly satisfying at the same time.
xD it's difficult to explain.
You explained it mate
You nailed it perfectly.
System fans relate 100% mate 👌
theyretryingtobuildaprisonnnnn
Sorry but it is only difficult to explain If you dont know enough about music. Which is easy to Happen in serj tankian. But it still is Kind of an insult to Call it either insanity or Experimental.
IT Just is way beyond anything you learned yet. AS she explains in the Video too.
I love how she catches so much of the core nuances of the band from such small sections. I have never heard SOAD compared to grunge or Alice in Chains mixed with Tool but as soon as she said it I could see it. Her comment of "it's pretty" caught me! SOAD is often a contrast between pretty and grotesque, discord and melody. These are the things I love about them although some songs take it too far and ruin what could have been much more interesting. Not this song though, it is a great first experience with the band although Toxicity would have been my choice.
streamline is always one that stuck with me
@Beast Militia hmmm, as great as Chop Suey is (meaning uber-great) I think their core views might be better represented in Holy Mountains to an extent?
But if they have any bad songs I've yet to hear em, so there's no arguments here!
I love the band so much I coerced friends into forming an acoustic tribute band with guitar, mandolin, cello, bass, banjo and a cajon. Never was so much fun had 😁
@Beast Militia Totally agree on this.
Yeah, I agree as well her getting the Alice In Chains and Tool vibe. I would add Rage Against The Machine and Korn as well. Korn with the harmonies SOAD is so good with. Definitely RATM with their message. The message that RATM and SOAD has is fairly similar but SOAD brings the SoCal vibe to it to lighten it up a bit and with that SoCal vibe it does remind me a bit of Red Hot Chili Peppers. They are all unique bands into themselves but they also have similarities with each other too. Not so different than the rock bands from other generations.
sugar.
I love how she's not a metal head yet her reaction is exactly the same as metalheads when we hear something this good for the first time lol. When she heard the harmonization at the end I completely understood
“Question!” Is a must listen! Awesome time signature changes, get to hear both Serj and Darren scream, and a beautiful syncopated melody. These guys have so much originality to them it’s a new experience with each song. Enjoy the journey!
I absolutely second this. I know there will be plenty of requests for their classics, but “Question!” immediately came to mind when I was thinking about what would be another beautiful example to listen to.
Despite being the first SOAD song I heard, it manages to fall outside of my radar time after time. Thank you for reminding me to listen to it once again. A genuinely impressive piece of music.
Question! for time signature alone! Being a music major and listening to this was like a master class in music theory.
Darren is a better singer than 90% of bands leads singers, prove me wrong! They work so well together.
Straight up my favorite SOAD song! Love it!
System Of A Down songs with great harmonization:
"Lost in Hollywood"
"Question!"
"Radio/Video"
and many more. Please deep dive into System Of A Down, you'll love it
You can play those same songs in ten years and I bet they'll feel like they were written just yesterday...it's amazing!
I recommended her Dreaming and Streamline, I love the vocals on those songs
Sugar
How about holy mountains
radio/video is amazing!
This channel really warms my heart seeing somebody from such an impressive musical background taking this music that we all treasure so seriously and having fun with no preconceived notions
Well said Morgoth. This is truly appreciated.
The ending of Aerials is and always has been phenomenal. It’s packed with sentiments, and makes you feel in touch with your roots. I ALWAYS go all out. Literal goosebumps every time.
"Empty Walls" Live with the Elect the Dead Symphony is a must listen from Serj. If only because its one of the cleanest showing of his talent.
I just got chills from reading the song title. Empty Walls is a masterpiece of a song.
hell to the fucking yes!
Empty Walls was a part of my coming home therapy... a later part: confrontation. It's still like a stab in the gut that I walk into on purpose.
Gorgeous song.
I also love honking antelopes and Butterflies from his second album. :)
I was also going to recommend Empty Walls. Serj is just so good.
Non metal fans are often surprised by the depth and power of the style. Metal can have a lot to say and always hits the feels.
One of those truly unique groups. No one else out there like them.
Their Armenian ethnic background was a huge influence on chord progressions and scales/harmonies.
And on the lyrics, visuals and stories!
"To my ears, this is pleasing"
Yeah, that's what every human on Earth says listening to Serj for the first time. I've been a SOAD fan since 8th grade watching MTV2 they played chop suey! And the internet was starting to get big... i was definitely hooked ❤
Bet there's nothing like that on your planet.
They used a lot of Armenian native instruments on this album I love it
I read they also use lots of traditional Armenian melodies and make it this masterful hybrid of Armenian folk and metal.
It’s always nice to see someone, especially a professional, experience the same joy I did discovering an artist that I’ve been listening to for 20 years.
"Spiders" was their first single(EDIT--2ND SINGLE), and I remember seeing them perform on Conan around 125am sometime in '98. I bought the album (self-titled) the next (same) day. A great example of Serj Tankian's otherworldly timbre and power.
I was literally just about to say the same song!
Just gonna suggest spiders!
Wasn't "Sugar" their first single?
Spiders would be a better pick for this, I guess
@@nickdoesnthaveyoutube no it was just more popular..
the "lose ourselves but we find it all" is referring to ego death and enlightenment and the realization that everything is interconnected and we're all one.
It's really cool when she reacts to some of his sounds. Her honest interest and fascination with Serj and System of a Down and TOOL etc really reinforces the ideas that I've always had about all of this stuff.
That there's depth there, there's things that are being explored and said that...
Everyone just rolls their eyes if people like stuff like this as if we're just
"rock music people" and are below them and their _"proper"_ music.
I completely agree and couldn’t have said it better. It hurts when this genre and others like it are just categorized as “noise” rather than broken down into and explored for you to realize the true beauty and meaning of these songs
Couldn't agree more. I watched a reaction video a year or so back of people reacting to KoRn. I may or may not have stopped the video early after getting annoyed. They had called KoRn's music "Satanic Noise."
There's definitely lots of people that do roll their eyes, but don't fall into the identity trap-rock and metal owned the 90's and 2000's and broke its way into pop music. When certain forms of hip hop finally overtook it (and the barometer is how pop songs started all using those elements instead), we'd already had a great few decades of magic made.
I watch a ton of reaction videos to metal and there's plenty of the new youth who discover System and other bands of the same cohort and quickly take or learn to love it. There's plenty of life left in the rock/metal world.
@@kunstlerischdragon8592 Too true! By my reckoning, a vapid, meaningless, and blatantly judgemental phrase like "satanic noise" is effectively not very different from "rock music people" I'm reminded of the cold, mean, and bitter father/pastor (acted brilliantly by John Lithgow) who had a deep fear-based hatred of dancing.
Ow! My eyeballs hurt from the vicious over-roll lol 🤣
the problem is that probably the majority of "rock" fans dont have the ability to dissect or explain the music like she can or even know why they like it. so they cant defend it. so when people call it just noise they dont know how to respond.
Speaking of noise. i went to a rock party once and got a thundering headache after a two hours. so yeah it is noise lmao. i like listening to rock but i stay away from the parties :p.
"Life is a waterfall, we're one in the river and one again after the fall." What a great line! 🙂
Very underrated line.
Love that line of the lyrics as well 🙂
what does it mean? can u explain?
@@sr0407 we are all one
Poetry
SOAD has the best harmonies since Alice in Chains, and Queen before them- Serj's voice is super unique. Even their more popular & heavy stuff showcases his voice and their harmonies in a super unique way. The most important influence on their vocal styles is their Armenian heritage. I feel like it's super evident not only in their vocal styling, but in a lot of the timing in theor arrangements
Good call. So few people know just how great harmonies of both Queen and Alice in Chains are. Most know one or the other.
I fucking love Layne and Jerry!
Mans is spitting facts
Daron's voice is just as unusual and unique as Serj's in that regard. That's what makes their combined harmonies feel like a whole choir with so many layers.
@@tjohnson2789 the best of them all 🤘
I'm 35 years old, System Of A Down was my first and only concert so far and even after so many years I still get emotional hearing their songs.. Thank you guys ❤❤❤
There's two albums I listened to all the way through in high school, never skipped a song. One was Linkin Park Hybrid Theory and the other was System of a Down Toxicity.
Nu metal kiddos represent
Hell yes. Hybrid Theory was my first album. Still one of my favorites.
Same Here, 2000´s band during Highschool among others, But LP and SOAD were the ones i most enojoyed listening. Riding the car all night with my friends with SOAD, priceless
You have excellent taste.
All Hope Is Gone (Slipknot) came out when I was in middle school and I still know all the lyrics to every song on that album. Can relate.
They did a live full performance in Armenia, at night in the centre of the city all closed off. They are a treasure to their people and to see that was emotionally overloading. It's on TH-cam watch it 👌 it's something special. Truly
Whats breathtaking is the thunder that strikes during the song
I was there, weather was shit but the concert was free for everyone in Yerevan. Got a huge cold afterwards but it was worth it.
I respect their background so much and it defines them. I'm glad I grew up with this music.
It's the one for the 100th anniversary of the Genocide if I'm not mistaken
@@kertaspaper94 Yes it was
The song "Dreaming" has to have one of the most overwhelmingly complex vocal parts. The harmonies are insane in this one, also have lots of back and forth between the vocalists, and even some chaotic parts where the vocalists are singing different lyrics over each other.
Completely agree. One of their most underrated songs imo
WTAF? The song is great! Not to mention the video.... Thanks for bringing it up!
Alice In Chains meets Tool is probably one of the best descriptions I've heard for SOAD's sound lol Serj is in a league all his own though. His vocals and his harmony with Daron is incredible
Alt metal
We can all appreciate Serj, daron & Layne for sure. Layne has got an amazing voice. Can’t speak for tool I don’t listen to them much
I'd just like to say, I LOVE how you don't just hear the music, but you EXPERIENCE it. Your reactions are visceral and real.
I’ve listened to this song countless times and love it, but to hear it broken down and discussed like this has given me another level of appreciation 👌 Awesome video
Exactly! It makes me appreciate songs I already love on a much deeper level
I swear, today, while I was listening this songs during a workout, I though: "How is it possible that Elizabeth never reacted to any of their songs?? I wonder what's taking her that long, I'm sure people are requesting SOAD a lot, they are iconic band..", and here we are :D
Btw, so glad you choose this song, I think it's great introduction, but can't wait to hear some more SOAD reactions!! :)
the answer is quite simple Sasa, Elizabeth before starting this channel never knew what Metal music was like, it was underground, underrated and misunderstood by the majority of society, by the time she finally got introduced to Metal and liking it, well there are hundreds of bands and tens of thousands of songs to check out, all while doing so on the channel.
I'm so glad I found this channel. Your experience and analysis is riveting.
10:08 I always thought it was the discussion of alienation. The child is thrust into the world they don't understand. It makes them feel weird, uncomfortable and alien. Their inner feeling is reflected in their appearance thus making them look like an alien. We turn around and put up the walls is a realization that people feel like they don't belong which makes others perceive them as weird and creepy - words often used to describe the child in the music video.
Perhaps it's also a social commentary targeted inwards as they're stars who seem like they could never belong in the world of show business. Could they feel like strangers even though they're a part of that world?
"Is this Alice in Chains meetsTool?" is terrifyingly the most accurate description of SOAD that I've ever been smacked in the face with. Yes, SOAD is completely original in a lot of ways but you have to admit the similarities are there.
It hurts to admit it.. I always say SOAD is every band’s inspiration, even bands before them haha
The thing is that they are harsh and heavy like Alice in Chains but they are Armenian and use their folk elements, which can be confused with the Tool Indian influence.
Songs like Mr Jack are reminiscent of that pattern
@@joaquinlezcano2372 MOST UNDERATED SOAD SONG EVER!
@@JBGC916 underrated? No.....just absolutely...no. u have no idea what underrated music is, if u say that.
Daron and Serj harmonizing gives me chills! They rock together!
Apparently, Serj has a vocal range of 4.2 octaves. His influences were Mike Patton from Faith No More and Frank Zappa for vocal stylings.
Jesus, I knew he had a big range, but wtf.
Serj is amazing singer, and he also looks like Frank Zappa.
4 octaves is about average for people actually but Serj’s vocals still sound otherworldly
Considering all of the music he's made, I wouldnt be shocked if he had more
@@zobakes4775 Average vocal range for a guy is usually between 2 and 3 octaves, for a woman between 3 and 4. Over 4 is pretty impressive.
There has never been anyone like Serj and there will never will be again. He blesses your soul with beautiful sounds and pulls at emotions you didn't even know existed. Then to have Darrin's voice accentuate the sounds is AMAZING. SoAD is absolutely . . . It's not even "one of a kind" because that - to me - implies that there has been, is, or could be others of the same caliber, and that's simply not true. SoAD changed music in every way. They are the ONLY of a breed that will never be seen again.
If you haven't listened to "Toxicity" by System of a Down, it will absolutely blow you away. It's unlike any other song of their genre
I got kicked out of ozzfest during toxicity because I made some drunken comment in response to a woman's drunken comment, and then fought back when her boyfriend, husband, or dad idfk, started choking me.
@@ashspeciale8927 Strong temptation to hit you with a "cool story bro" but I'll be more positive and just say thanks for sharing.
Toxicity is a masterpiece of an album all on it's own. Not shutting down your opinion of the song, because it's also fantastic. Just wanted to put it out there for people who are just learning about SOAD.
@@ashspeciale8927 ???????
I think chop suey is the one not like anything else ever written.
One of the bands that got me into this whole metal stuff. Extremely talented.
I love your handle. Tied for my favorite band of all time ,depending on my mood of course.
@@billthebutcher4435 I love old stuffs cause they’re the most relevant
@@Mountainside101 You guys stole the best metal grammy away from Metallica 😂
@@loganirvine3700 So that makes us metal, I guess lmfao man…..
I love how you noticed Serj's classical training. I was blown away when I learned that but when I listened for it after, it all made sense.
No classical training, just talent
I approve of the Daron praise. Dude is a underrated genius of our era. It's such a shame the band/he fell apart after Hypno/Mezmo because I feel like we really missed out on what might have been.
Scars and Serjs solo work we're both great first albums don't get me wrong. I just wish they could've run parallel to the band.
year late but it really is a shame that Daron and Serj have such strong creative differences. They compliment each other so well.
@@ayeyuh6920 Daron wants to keep the creative control for himself, Serj wants equal distribution between him and Daron. The are friends and in no way the band will seek another singer, since Serj is an integral parto of SOAD, thus, there will be no new music, EVER.
@@alejandrovidal5355 I've never seen anything like that outside of rumors and no one in the band has ever said that, to my knowledge. From what I've gathered, Serj just didn't want to continue making that kind of music, and the band did. People point fingers at Daron all day but Serj is the one who left. It's no ones fault, just differences.
@@alejandrovidal5355 They did put out 1 or 2 new songs a couple years ago.
Serj and Daron harmonize so well and use that to add a unique quality to many of their songs, however Ego Brain and Lonely Day showcases this masterfully!
We're heading down the SOAD wormhole and I am SO HERE FOR IT!
What wonderful insights you bring to the art that we love. Thank you.
"Forest" by system of a down is a great tune. Also, "ATWA" has cool vocals. Thanks for the videos!
Second this ^
Definitely ATWA!
Definitely the first two songs that came to mind when I saw The Charismatic Voice.
Anybody else think she should check out Deftones o.O
@@Iodestarr Third this! One of my favs.
4th it!
The song is a warning... you float through the void and tentatively reach out to, but there are elements that wish to allure you, to use you, to lie to you. And it is easy to loose yourself to the signals you receive, to the religion of glamour and money, as you are guided and manipulated through life. I think the lyrics and the weaving of the different, often initially contrasting, elements/ideas describe this perfectly. The video is very clever too and in keeping with the song. Ironically this beautifully crafted song IS itself an example of the clever manipulation it is talking about. A thought, I am sure, that is not lost on the band, who appear to love to point out the ironies of life, along with it's beauty, absurdities and cruelty. Music with layers.
This
This is one of the best explanations I've seen out there about this song. Thanks a lot for sharing
System of a Down is still one of the most unique bands ever. I don't think anyone could ever replicate their sound and the amazing feeling they create.
Look up the channel Moonic Productions. He's very good at emulating their style, it's pretty fun.
Since you’re going through System of a Down definitely listen to “Spiders”.
The first album is unjustifiably underrated. Still my favorite after all these years.
Spiders has similar vibe to Aerials. She better check out different kind of songs, to see other side of SOAD too
@@iliagharibashvili748 what better than “Suggestions” then. That is pure craziness!
@@PoeHxC sure
First is the best because they didn't have the nasal backup singer. He kinda ruined SOAD for me.
Yes! Spiders is an amazing song. One song I suggest is Radio/Video.
Serj and Daron are like the Righteous Brothers or Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell in that they were 100% destined to sing together, that's how good their harmonies are. Check out radio/video if you want to hear that beautiful dynamic throughout basically the whole song.
i was raised on this band, im so surprised there are people that haven’t heard any of their stuff before, but regardless this is an incredible analysis and i am in love with how in depth and touched you felt by the music. not only were you obviously dissecting it objectively, but you also really connected and FELT the music which is beautiful to watch!
That outro harmonization has always struck me as hauntingly beautiful. This has been my favorite SOAD song for a while. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s felt that sense of desperation when he makes the upward vibrato slide on “all.” It helped me to kind of unpack the same meaning you got that, in desperation, we as a people are willing to give up our identities in any social setting to fit in. In the meantime, we’ve lost the very essence of who we are as individuals. Beautiful breakdown of a short, yet incredibly layered song!
12:55 the guitar player holds the high note straight while the singer meets him up to that note while doing his vibrato style. Man this stuff is so fascinating seeing your videos analyzing all of these rock bands I grew up listening to. I've mentioned in an older video that I have basically lost my true passion for music. I was a "Star Pupil" in band in HS, life happened and fell out of even fundamentals of theory, but your vids have helped re awaken that, so I very much appreciate what you do with these react videos (edit note: She JUST explained what I was saying lol, they also hold the AAAHHHH together as well)
I love when you say, "so many things happened in that last bit." So many things happen in EVERY bit of EVERY System of a Down song. Serj has SO MANY different sounds to his voice within the same some. It is truly remarkable.
This song is drastically different than the usual system of a down heavyweight blows they are known for..but still one of my favs by them.
I feel like I can see the inner workings of this girl’s brain through her expressions. Like literally. And she made the music feel so tangible.
As a therapist, I love how you incorporate feeling words as vocal descriptors. It’s added a special element that I don’t see from other vocal reactors. I’d love to see your reaction to Amy Winehouse’s “wake up alone” from the Lioness album 💜
I'm also a therapist and love this, too. Great ability to find the feeling word that captures what is happening in any given vocal line or note.
I haven't been to a therapist, but I'd like to say thank you for helping others. I have nothing but appreciation and respect for what you guys do.
I highly recommend “lonely day” by System of a Down as well. It’s performed by the guitarist and his voice is beautiful as well
I always think that song sounds a bit like green day
Lonely day is amazing
A very emotional song (which makes sense when you learn about the and why it war written). Still one of my SOAD favorites.
Yeah! I was just thinking that it's essential to mention that Daron Malakian does the back vocals and also mention "Lonely day" so +1 from me.
Daron Malakian is not just the guitarist. He actually writes most of the songs.
As a new guitarist, I was learning this song today and noticed that bit you mentioned about the slightly unstable repetition on the guitar in the softer parts. It’s very interesting when you look at where it’s broken up with the 1-2’s versus the 1-2-3’s since they aren’t evenly spaced out, as well as the fact that it’s actually skipping over the 2 and playing 1-3 instead. It all helps to add to the sense of unease within repetition, which normally gives off a sense of security. All very well written on SOAD’s part, they’re truly great artists and songwriters!
For Serj Tankian fans (and Game of Thrones fans), his version of The Rains of Castamere is incredible
Thanks for this recommandation. It is really amazing. Got goosebumps from it.
@@merlin601 Yeah every time I listen to it I get goosebumps as well, glad you enjoyed it!
I forgot about that!! Thank you!
Toxicity is a 10/10 album. Amazing from the first song to the last.
Serj has such a powerful voice, and an amazing range. Always loved the contrasting vocals of Serj and Daron
The only Soad song I can name is Chop Suey! and it's been at least 8-10 years since I have listened to it. I like the fact that the backing vocals are not Serj doubling himself like in every other band but they are making it more like it would be live with one of the other band members singing backing. Unless I'm wrong. Either way, I'm going to listen to more of them soon.
Favorite SOAD song is still “Lost in Hollywood” .. and is sung primarily by Daron Malakian, the harmony singer/guitarist
same bro. I love Serj as my mom but something always gets me when Daron sings
Correct CHECK ➡️LOST IN HOLLYWOOD⬅️
That is still my all time favorite SOAD song. Its so powerful and beautiful.
I was standing on the wall, feeling ten feet tall......🖤
Listening to your criticism of many metal bands and singers I love I realise that music isn't about perfection, which is what I believed was what it took to be a musician/vocalist. I now know it's about expression. Every voice and band is different each with their own unique range, quality and passion.
Thank you for giving me the hope of one day being a musician.
Don’t be perfect. Be yourself. Perfection is boring. Truth is beauty and these guys expressed their own truth which is rare, especially in this overly commercialized age. Express your own truth and go for what you want.
Serj and Daron have some of the coolest harmonies ever. It's always ever so slightly dissonant which I suppose creates that haunting quality. For another example, I really recommend checking out 'Holy Mountains' live.
Alice in Chains did that too - dissonant harmonizing.... Love it
Yes, this!
Definitely check out "Holy Mountains"
I don't know anything about Armenian music, but I bet some of these (to us strange sounding) harmonies go back to traditional Armenian music. It would be interesting to explore that angle.
His operatic upbringing vocally is such a vital part of how amazing his vocal range is. He's one of a kind as well as System of a Down is a as a band. Great breakdown, need more SOAD
that "we lose ourselves but we find it all" gets me every time. The sound he gets on "all" just hits me in the soul
I highly recommend more of SOAD, especially BYOB and Sugar. Serj is a master as using his voice to share important messages and emotions. What I really love about the band is how heavy it is WHILE keeping that very armenian touch in harmonies and strings. All the band is armenian, actually and are very proud of their culture and their rich history.
And ofc chop suey and toxicity
She just did BYOB today and it is a great analysis! Again
Serj Tankian and Darren Malakian were phenomenal together. Their sound is very different and unique. It's a shame that they can't settle their differences and be a band again.
they aren't exactly a band, but they still tour and every now and then they make a song. saw them in february. will never forget that concert.
For real! Like your both sober now - maybe that's the problem 🤔. But seriously the 3 or 4 shows they do every couple years in California and Vegas just don't cut it. Now is the time for new soad! We NEED new soad!!!!
there is no differences within trhem as people, they are friends, and have evenm nopth stated this on many occasions.
they just musically have diffrences
For real
It’s the drummer John that didn’t always get along with Serj but they still consider each other as brothers. Serj is way more left leaning and John is a hyper conservative Republican so they don’t see eye to eye on almost anything
I love listening to someone enjoy the music I’ve always been told is “just screaming & Devil worship”. No damnit this is breathtaking art with emotion
Whoever said to you that SoaD is "devil worship" and "just screaming"
i hope they're doin well rn
The thing about SOAD’s music is, it’s normally very explosive, with a notable exception being “Spiders”.
Surj’s voice is very dynamic and he has a pretty good range.
Yup Spiders is a great song to hear Serj's talented voice
I have grown to love these reactions. Elizabeth, you're such a music nerd, and I'm all for it. Finally someone articulates the musicality that I hear, but can't always explain.
I feel lucky to be part of the generation who grew up with this. My late middle school high school years I got really into system. Funnily enough my little sister (7 years younger than me) had a suuuuper obsessive phase with them too.
Me too and I'm 59. I took my son and 2 of his friends in 10th grade to see them in Orlando and they knew every word to every song. I blast System every time I can. CHILLS with a good stereo.
@@karlmcnealjr thats awesome. My dad listened to everything under the sun and I have alot of great memories of jamming out to music with him. That rocks that you gave your kids that experience and those memories will stay with them forever!
Same. My daughter is 6 and is starting to really get into system lol idk if it's too early, but I'm not going to stop her haha
My sister is actually the one who got me into System in the first place. I was basically the one who was super obsessed afterwards and they are the reason I picked up a guitar. Siblings can be pretty awesome!
Same! I’m guessing you are in your early 30s? Their harmonization along with the raw heavy music makes SOAD truly unique.
Your reaction is how I want to experience SOAD every single time. I’ll be driving nearly in tears just because of how moved I am by just his VOICE. Absolutely devastatingly beautiful
Same!
If you want something to get a feel for Serj going all in, I recommend...well any song from their performance in 2015 live in Armenia. The band gave it literally EVERYTHING they had, seeing the concert as a almost 100 year act of defiance against their former oppressors. As Daron put it. "This isn't a rock and roll concert. To our murderers. This. Is. Revenge!!"
Thank you for analyzing SOAD. Serj and Daron make such uniquely beautiful harmonies.
Daren Malakian is the backup vocalist. Both have their own projects they have been doing from what I know. Both groups/artists are definitely worth a listen.
He has a fantastic and underrated voice too
I still get tears in my eyes listening to this band. And especially watching someone’s first impressions. Easily one of the greatest bands ever.
Almost the same chill everyone gets when they hear this song for the first time 😂😂😂 i love how genuine your reaction is & how we can see your appreciation to the music in your eyes 🙂🙂 system of a down should be archived