Mezmerize cover art

  Studio Album · No. 4

Mezmerize Songwriting Credits by System of a Down

2005 American Recordings 11 tracks 36 min

Produced by Rick Rubin, Daron Malakian  ·  Engineered by David Schiffman, Andy Wallace, Jason Lader, Dana Nielsen, John O'Mahony

American Recordings Nu MetalAlternative MetalArt Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether System of a Down carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by System of a Down 0 tracksoutside writers
System of a Down's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
2
Lyricists
2
Producers
2005
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Best Hard Rock Performance (2006)
Data Insight

Mezmerize is the first half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double release and marks Daron Malakian's expanded role as co-lead vocalist, splitting vocals with Serj Tankian on many tracks. Malakian wrote all of the music except 'Question!,' which he co-composed with Tankian, while Rick Rubin and Malakian produced. The Grammy-winning lead single 'B.Y.O.B.' was written as a protest against the Iraq War. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 453,000 copies in its first week.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Soldier Side - Intro
Daron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
2
B.Y.O.B. #27
Daron MalakianSerj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
3
Revenga
Daron MalakianSerj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
4
Cigaro
Daron MalakianSerj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
5
Radio/Video
Daron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
6
This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song
Daron MalakianSerj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
7
Violent Pornography
Daron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
8
Question! #7
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Serj TankianDaron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
9
Sad Statue
Daron MalakianSerj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
10
Old School Hollywood
Daron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
11
Lost in Hollywood
Daron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors

DM
Daron Malakian
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album11 written
ST
Serj Tankian
Writer · Vocals
On this album6 written
RR
Rick Rubin
Producer
On this album11 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Mezmerize

Is Mezmerize part of a double album?
Yes. Mezmerize is the first half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double release, both issued in 2005. Mezmerize came first in May, with Hypnotize following about six months later, and the two are considered two parts of a single double album.
Did Mezmerize debut at number one?
Yes. Mezmerize debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 450,000 copies in its first week on the chart dated June 4, 2005. The album is certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States.
Did B.Y.O.B. win a Grammy?
Yes. 'B.Y.O.B.' won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, held February 8, 2006. It was the band's first and only Grammy win and the lead single from Mezmerize.
What is B.Y.O.B. about?
'B.Y.O.B.,' short for 'Bring Your Own Bombs,' was written as a protest against the Iraq War and questions the integrity of US military recruiting. It reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on both Alternative Airplay and Mainstream Rock.
Who wrote the music on Mezmerize?
Daron Malakian wrote all of the album's music except 'Question!,' which he co-composed with Serj Tankian. Mezmerize is also where Malakian's vocal role grew substantially, with him sharing lead vocals with Tankian on many of the tracks.
Who produced Mezmerize?
Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian co-produced Mezmerize. David Schiffman engineered the album and Andy Wallace mixed it, continuing the production team that worked on Toxicity.
How did Question! perform on the charts?
'Question!' reached number 7 on Mainstream Rock and number 9 on Alternative Airplay. It did not enter the main Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

Sources

Wikipedia: Mezmerize Wikipedia: B.Y.O.B. (song) Wikipedia: Question! MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Mezmerize by System of a Down