How System of a Down achieved a rare chart feat not seen since The Beatles
In short: Formed in the mid-1990s, the Armenian-American heavy metal band System of a Down redefined commercial success for their genre. By 2005, they accomplished a historic milestone, becoming the first group since The Beatles to secure two number-one albums in the United States within the same calendar year.
The band, consisting of Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan, signed with American Recordings in 1997. Their self-titled debut arrived the following year, eventually achieving double platinum status in the United States. However, it was their 2001 sophomore effort, Toxicity, that propelled them to global prominence. The album topped charts in the US and Canada while reaching the top ten in markets like Australia, Finland, and New Zealand. It remains one of their most decorated works, certified seven-times platinum in their home country.
Following the 2002 release of Steal This Album!, which saw more modest chart performance, the band embarked on an ambitious project. In 2005, they released a double album split into two distinct parts: Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Released six months apart, both records hit number one on the US Billboard charts. This feat, which had not been replicated since The Beatles, cemented their status in music history. Mezmerize alone reached the top spot in nine different countries, showcasing the band's massive international reach during this period.
The group entered a hiatus in 2006, with members focusing on various side projects. While they announced a reunion in 2010 and released a box set of their five studio albums in 2011, new material remained elusive for over a decade. It was not until November 6, 2020, that the band broke their silence with the release of two new songs, 'Protect the Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz'. These tracks marked their first new music in 15 years, proving that the band's influence and creative output remained significant long after their initial commercial peak.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: System of a Down discography
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-system-of-a-down-discography.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Festivals & celebrations · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
